SHRIMPLY THE BEST NATIONAL FISH & CHIP AWARDS WINNERS

‘Shrimply’ the best, ‘batter’ than all the rest: Meet the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 winners

The National Fish & Chip Awards served a golden celebration of the industry’s best operators at the London ceremony, with Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington, County Durham topping the menu of winners to collect the revered Takeaway of the Year award.

Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the awards – now in its 37^th year – honoured the skills, innovation and dedication of businesses and individuals in the UK and beyond that are elevating the fish and chip experience. Prizes were awarded across 15 categories which covered everything from sustainability to quality to customer service, and everything in between, not forgetting the crucial ability to dish up undeniably delicious fish and chips.

An industry decision-making group created a lengthy schedule of interviews, tasks, skills presentations and anonymous taste tests, resulting in the decoration of the fish and chip sector’s most outstanding businesses at the acclaimed event, which was hosted by popular television personality Matt Baker.

The National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 ‘trout’ of this world winners are:

Takeaway of the Year

1^st: Yarm Road Fish and Chips – Darlington, County Durham

2^nd: The Fish Works – Largs, Scotland

3^rd: Kellaway’s Fish and Chips – Truro, Cornwall

Restaurant of the Year

1^st: Bells Fish & Chips (Framwellgate Moor) – Durham, County Durham

2^nd: Malt and Anchor – Cirencester, Gloucestershire

3^rd: Trenchers Spanish City – Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

Field to Frier

Redcloak Fish Bar – Stonehaven, Scotland

Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year

Glen Morrison from Garioch Fish Bar – Inverurie, Scotland

Newcomer of the Year

Mackerel Sky – Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire

Employee of the Year

Georgia Lye from Seafare Guildford, Surrey

 Mobile Operator of the Year

Country Fried – Blackburn, Lancashire

Environment and Sustainable Business

Finney’s Benllech – Anglesey, Wales

Training and Development

Taylors – Stockport, Greater Manchester

Digital Marketing

Eric’s Fish and Chips – Thornham, Norfolk

Quality Accreditation Champion

The Scrap Box – York, Yorkshire

Community Engagement

Brockley’s Rock – Brockley, London

International Fish and Chip Operator

Fez & Cip – Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Supplier of the Year

Dennis Crooks Fish Merchant

Outstanding Achievement

Paul Williams – KFE Ltd

Will Burrell, director-manager of Yarm Road Fish and Chips says: “Well we can’t quite believe it! We really didn’t think this year would be our year. Not because of how the process and judging has gone, but purely because of just how unbelievable the rest of the top 10 finalists are. To be mentioned alongside these guys is one thing, but to top the list is something we could only dream of! Now somehow, it’s reality.

“Our biggest congratulations and thanks go out to our absolutely amazing team. They have worked tirelessly throughout the years and have been so invested in this competition. It goes without saying, but without them we would be nowhere near this position we find ourselves in today. To take this trophy home to them makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

He continues: “Since our opening eight years ago, we have adapted to new situations, overcame hurdles and tried to perfect our craft of the nation’s favourite takeaway. It seems we have got it somewhere near right!

“Huge thanks to all our wonderful customers for supporting our little chippy. And thanks again to the best team in the world! To the wider public, keep supporting your local chippy. They are the cornerstone of many communities and there may be some tough times ahead, as we all know. Go and get your chippy teas! Thank you!”

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, says this year’s entrants have shown the abundant passion for fish and chips is only deepening. “The bar for the National Fish & Chip Awards is set higher each year across the criteria the competitors are evaluated against, and our new titleholders have put everything into elevating their menus, sharpening their skills and developing their expertise.

“The quick-service sector is constantly changing but what remains is that customers expect a high-quality product that tastes like heaven, that sustainability is carefully considered throughout the experience and the service is on-point. Each winner hits the mark on all these fronts and their hard work is achieving national attention. On behalf of the NFFF, I’d like to say a big ‘congratulations’ and ‘thank you’ to these businesses for being shining examples of greatness in the fish and chip industry.”

Principal sponsor of the awards is Seafood from Norway and Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, anticipates more success is on the way for the winners. She says: “On behalf of Seafood from Norway, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s winners, who have demonstrated excellence across the board. As principal sponsor, it’s a privilege to celebrate the incredible talent that continues to thrive in this sector year after year.

“Through this competition, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know some of the country’s finest fish and chip champions – passionate individuals who bring this iconic British dish to life. We look forward to welcoming the winners on our annual study trip in June, where they’ll experience first-hand how Norwegian cod and haddock are responsibly caught in Norway’s cold, clear waters.”

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.

Source Press Release

Main Image: Graeme and Will Burrell from Yarm Road Fish and Chips – Takeaway of the Year winner 2025