ON A ROLL! LANCASHIRE MOBILE CHIPPY TAKES TOP SPOT AT INDUSTRY AWARDS

On a roll! Lancashire mobile chippy takes top spot at industry awards. Country Fried in Blackburn has driven off into the sunset with the Mobile Operator of the Year trophy at this year’s National Fish & Chip Awards.

The trend for high-quality convenience food on-the-go is picking up pace and the Mobile Operator of the Year category recognises the UK street vendors creating elevated fish and chip meals for happy customers, whether they are in town or city centres, at a festival, wedding or corporate gathering.

Appraised by top industry specialists, the three finalists – which also included A Salt ‘n’ Battery in Crowle, Lincolnshire, and Time and Plaice in Doncaster, Yorkshire – showed their impressive abilities to serve up the freshest fish and chips no matter the environment.

However, Country Fried made multiple gear shifts throughout the assessment stages, scoring particularly highly for its outstanding commitment to quality, sustainability and customer service.

Television host Matt Baker presented the award to the Blackburn-based gem that has been taking local communities and customers from further afield by storm. Owner Simon Mathews says of the win:

“As a family business and still relatively new to the fish and chip industry, the journey we have been on over the past four years has had some very memorable moments for us, along with many challenges we have faced, just like any other business!

“When we heard that we had been shortlisted in this year’s National Fish & Chip Awards and that we were the only fish and chip establishment in Lancashire to have made it to the finals, it made me extremely proud of what the team has achieved. And now we’re all very excited as winner of the Mobile Operator of the Year award for what the future holds for us all at Country Fried.

“In short, being named the UK’s best mobile fish and chip van is an amazing achievement for us all at Country Fried. It not only affirms our exceptional quality and service but also positions us as a standout brand, in the highly competitive UK fish and chip industry.”

The National Fish & Chip Awards is organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) and its President Andrew Crook, praised the new champion for bringing the UK’s favourite dish to new places and faces in the tastiest fashion:

“It’s truly exciting to know that the traditional fish and chip experience is being taken out on the road by this award-winning business. We are a nation that takes our fish and chips seriously, so expectations are always high, and Country Fried knows its stuff and is another brilliant ambassador for the industry.

“Being a mobile vendor is increasingly competitive, but Simon and the team are paving the way for other fish and chip businesses. We hope more operators will be encouraged to take up more space in the market.”

Alan Pearce is the national account manager for Kerry, sponsor of the Mobile Operator of the Year award, and a global expert for research and development, consumer insight, innovation and food safety and manufacturing. He comments on the importance of rewarding small businesses within foodservice:

“Winning the award is recognition that the business aspires to the highest of standards on a consistent basis offering exceptional customer service and a great tasting product.”

For over a decade, the Norwegian seafood industry has proudly supported the fish and chip industry through the National Fish & Chip Awards. This year, Seafood from Norway will again welcome award winners to an exclusive study trip to Norway for an immersive three-day experience, highlighted by a day programme aboard Langøy, one of Norway’s advanced frozen-at-sea vessels. This trip underscores the shared commitment to sustainability and excellence between Norway’s fishing industry and the UK’s fish and chip community.

For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com