THE ESSENCE OF FRESHNESS

The essence of freshness. The first of a series of features by Fish Focus, starting with our spotlight on Iceland. We will be posting an article every day, covering this amazing trip and showcasing the Icelandic Seafood industry, Icelandic heritage and the hospitality of the Icelandic people. You can read the whole publication here

After becoming a finalist in the UK National Fish and Chip Awards overseas category 2024, Fish and Chips Vagninn, opened a new shop in Reykjavik in May.

Priding itself on using only the freshest local ingredients, a key factor in its outstanding reputation. The fish, typically cod is caught by one of their family boats from the nearby waters and processed in their high-tech processing plant, Fiskkaup, ensuring a freshness that is evident in every bite. This commitment to quality means that diners can always expect the fish to be tender, flaky, and full of flavour.

After our visit to Brim’s freezer trawler Vigri, learning about the cod that was caught, processed and frozen, to be sent to fish and chip shops in the UK, we were all ready for the perfectly cooked, delicious fish and chips cooked for us in Vagninn.

Andrew Crook, president of the NFFF and Vagninn owner, Árni Rudolf

Although the fish is caught in the clear waters of Iceland, it is prepared and cooked using traditional British methods.

While the fish is undisputedly Icelandic, all the other necessary ingredients are imported from the UK. That goes for the coating to the deep-frying oil, the chips, the mushy peas and even the malted vinegar

Fish and Chips Vagninn offers a variety of homemade sauces. There was classic tartar sauce, curry, remoulade, koktail and a chili majo. It was hard to decide which was the nicest.

It was nice for both Charlotte and Kevin, from Knight’s Fish Restaurant in Glastonbury and John, from Fish City in Belfast to see the enthusiasm of owner Árni Rudolf,  promoting their industry in Iceland.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) said:

“It is great to see fish and chips becoming a great British export and having visited this restaurant I have to say they are doing an excellent job. In Iceland they certainly have top quality fish and the owner has installed a British frying range to help produce fish and chips as close as you can get to what is served in the UK. A must visit if you are in Reykjavik.”