SCOTTISH FISH FRIER NAMED THE BEST IN THE UK AT NATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY

Scottish fish frier named the best in the UK at national awards ceremony. The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) has awarded the acclaimed Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year accolade to Glen Morrison from Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie in Scotland at the National Fish & Chip Awards, which was hosted by TV presenter Matt Baker.

The category celebrates the exceptional skills, passion and dedication of the next generation of fish and chip professionals in the early phases of their careers. The competition was open to all aspiring young friers aged 25 and under, with a minimum of six months’ independent frying experience.

Not ones to ‘fry’ away from a challenge, the contenders faced months-long, intense elimination rounds set by sector specialists to assess their frying expertise, product knowledge, wider industry knowledge, and more. Through the judging process, they were whittled down to 12, eight and then four but Glen has emerged as the victorious winner, ahead of Abigail Barker of Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby Yorkshire; James Ellams of Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire; and Sebastian Harding Crook of Squires in Braunton, Devon.

Glen, 25, who is also one of the directors of the business, has shown outstanding frying abilities, a strong commitment to sustainability, and a deep understanding of the importance of quality ingredients in creating the perfect fish and chips, says: “I’ve grown up in my father’s fish and chip shops, and five years ago, I took a major role in our family business after my dad had an accident and I soon had a vision to transform it from the standard shop it was into one of the best in the country which it is today.

“Through dedication, constant learning, and travelling across Britain to learn from past winners and industry leaders, I’ve worked relentlessly to improve every aspect of what we do. Today, our shop is ranked among the top 20 in the UK – something I could only dream of when I started this journey.

“Winning the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year is an unbelievable achievement for me but also for my family, my team, and everyone who has supported me along the way. This award is a testament to the passion, hard work, and commitment that go into running a top-quality fish and chip shop.” Glen says. “The recognition we’ve received through these awards has helped more than double our turnover, proving that quality, consistency, and a drive for excellence can truly transform a business, something that has become more than essential in today’s challenging climate.

“I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Drywite for starting and sponsoring this competition, especially Nicky Lewis and Mark Drummond who were involved in the judging. It plays a vital role in motivating young individuals like myself to push the industry forward, constantly raising standards and ensuring the future of fish and chips remains strong.”

Glen adds:

“For me, this is just the beginning – I want to keep learning, innovating, and helping to shape the future of this incredible industry. Fish and chips is more than just food – it’s tradition, community, and a craft that deserves to be preserved and protected. The competition started in 1995 in memory of Malcolm Lee, who always encouraged young people into the industry and that’s exactly what it’s doing. I hope my journey also inspires other young friers to embrace the challenge, learn from the best, and never stop striving for excellence.”

 Andrew Crook, one of the organisers of the awards and president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), says shining a spotlight on upcoming talent is crucial for raising awareness of the career prospects the industry offers which is often overlooked:

“The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award has been won by so many incredible people who have seen the trajectory of their working life accelerating to all-new levels thanks to their continued hard work and self-development post-award win.

“Consistently making the perfect chippy meal is a necessary expectation, which of course comes with pressure. Fish frying requires high-level competence and dedication, with individuals also needing a whole host of other characteristics to be great. All the signs are there that Glen is well on the way to being an absolute powerhouse in the fish and chip sector and we are proud of their brilliant achievements to date.”

The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award is sponsored by Drywite Ltd, a key supplier of essential products and training to the fish and chip industry. Managing Director Kelvin Lee is confident the future of the sector is in capable hands. “This year’s finalists have all demonstrated great enthusiasm for the industry and shown that they are capable of taking their careers to a higher level”.

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 program 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.