PRINCIPAL SPONSOR OF NF&CA TO HOST WINNERS ON EDUCATIONAL TRIP TO NORWAY

Principal sponsor of NF&CA to host winners on educational trip to Norway. As principal sponsor of the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 (NF&CA) and category sponsor of the Environmental and Sustainable Business category, Seafood from Norway, represented by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) in partnership with the Norwegian Frozen at Sea group, will once again invite the winners of the NF&CA on an educational trip to Norway.

For more than a decade, Seafood from Norway has collaborated with the UK’s fish and chip champions, celebrating the craftsmanship and dedication of operators who excel in delivering this iconic British dish. The trip provides winners with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Norway’s sustainable fishing industry and the journey of premium-quality cod and haddock from ocean to plate.

This year’s destination is Sortland, a charming fishing town above the Arctic Circle. The three-day itinerary offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Norway’s world-leading seafood industry, introducing the winners to the people behind its advanced fishing fleets. From learning about Norway’s commitment to long-term stock management, to stepping aboard Langøy – a frozen-at-sea vessel operated by Prestfjord and part of the Holmøy Group – the trip will give winners a deeper understanding of where their fish comes from and the lengths Norway takes to ensure only the highest quality seafood reaches the UK’s fish and chip shops.

Highlights from last year’s trip included talks from the Institute of Marine Research and the Norwegian Fishing Vessel Owners Association, as well as a voyage aboard Østerfjord, one of Norway’s largest frozen-at-sea vessels. The three-day experience concluded with a visit to Brødrene Sperre, a leading producer of frozen-at-sea whitefish, where the 2024 winners saw firsthand how Norwegian cod is frozen and filleted with precision before making its journey to the UK.

Winners will also be joined by The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), organiser of the National Fish & Chip Awards. President of NFFF Andrew Crook commented:

“For operators in this industry, there’s nothing quite like seeing where their fish comes from, and we’re pleased that this year’s winners will have the chance to do just that again in Norway. The trip offers a valuable opportunity to meet the people behind Norway’s seafood industry and gain a deeper understanding of the care that goes into sustainable fishing – from how the catch is brought on board to how it’s handled and processed.”

He continued:

“It’s a unique experience that winners can take back to their shops and share with their customers. Being able to tell the story of where their fish comes from – and the journey it takes to get to their plate – really adds value. It also strengthens the bond between operators and suppliers, which is what makes our industry so special.”

Ida Holmøy, business development manager of Holmøy, representing Langøy, said in her welcome message to the NF&CA finalists:

“We are excited to welcome this year’s National Fish and Chip Awards winners to a memorable programme onboard Langøy in Sortland. We look forward to showing them the journey of our Norwegian cod and haddock, from the cold, clear waters of Norway to the fish and chip shops across the UK. This visit is a great opportunity to share our commitment to quality and sustainability with the iconic fish and chip operators and their customers.”

Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, commented:

“For more than a decade, the Norwegian seafood industry has proudly supported and collaborated with the fish and chips industry through its work with the National Fish and Chip Awards. It’s an honour to once again welcome these skilled award winners to experience first-hand where and how Norwegian cod and haddock are sourced, demonstrating the lengths Norway goes to ensure the highest quality produce is exported to and enjoyed by British fish and chip shops across the UK.”

This educational trip not only celebrates the long-standing seafood partnership between Norway and the UK but also provides an invaluable platform for knowledge sharing and relationship building among fish and chip operators.

Alongside the Norway trip, winners will also be invited to Seafood from Norway’s Inspiration Day – a spring event designed to bring together leading fish and chip operators ahead of the trip in June. This will be the second Seafood from Norway Inspiration Day hosted for the NF&CA winners, providing an arena to explore the trends and consumer expectations shaping the industry, while opening up deeper conversations around responsible seafood sourcing. It also offers another moment in the calendar to celebrate the wider community’s achievements and encourage fresh thinking about the future of fish and chips.

Read about all this year’s winners in our Fish and Chip Review