THE NATIONAL FISH & CHIP AWARDS FINALISTS

The National Fish & Chip Awards reveal NFFF Quality Awards finalists. The National Federation of Fish Friers’ (NFFF) top three quality UK fish and chip shops have been revealed today (Tuesday 30 October) as part the 2019 National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

Shortlisted as finalists for the (NFFF) Quality Award ‘Champion’ category – one of 14 2019 National Fish & Chip Awards categories – the businesses (in alphabetical order) are:

• Black’s Finest Fish & Chips, Halton, Lancashire       
• Mister C’s, Selby, North Yorkshire    
• Shillingfords Fish and Chips, Neath, West Glamorgan         

The NFFF Quality Award ‘Champion’ category is an extension of the National Federation of Fish Friers’ quality accreditation scheme – a rigorous industry benchmark. Only businesses holding an NFFF Quality Award can enter this category, which crowns the ultimate ‘champion’ of this prestigious accreditation programme.

To reach the final stage, businesses must demonstrate that they meet the NFFF’s quality benchmark which includes assessment of the overall quality of premises, working practices, key ingredients, cooked products, hygiene standards and staff training. Most importantly, it looks at how businesses promote the significance of this quality mark to customers.

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, said: “This award is at the heart of the wider awards program; recognising and celebrating businesses that go above and beyond to provide the highest quality fish and chips in an environment of equally high standards.

“As well as delivering a superior product and service, the finalists have demonstrated excellence in all aspects of running their respective businesses. Our top three really have set fantastic standards for other Quality Award holders, and the wider fish and chip industry to aspire to. Congratulations to them all.”

Award sponsor Andrew Crook, President at The National Federation of Fish Friers, added: “Launched in 2011, the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award is offered to the industry to improve operating standards and showcase best practice to UK wide consumers. The NFFF Quality Award also now works in conjunction with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Primary Authority as part of the appraisal and accreditation process for the award.

“Incorporating our award into The National Fish & Chip Awards provides NFFF Quality Award-accredited shops the chance to compete to become the top champion within the NFFF Quality Award ‘Champion’ category.

“The standard of entries received this year was once again very high and the judges were impressed by the level of dedication that shops display towards promoting the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award. Each of the finalists has effectively demonstrated the way in which the award has positively impacted on both staff motivation and financial turnover.”

In addition to the above three finalist businesses, as part of the judging process the following two businesses were awarded Highly Commended status by the judging panel.

• Katie’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Barnard Castle, County Durham
• The Fish Works, Largs, Ayrshire

The overall winner of the NFFF Quality Award ‘Champion’ category will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 31^st anniversary ceremony in London on 24 January 2019.