Five go off to London for Drywite title at National Fish & Chip Awards The next generation of exceptional fish and chip professionals have been making themselves known to industry experts and the National Fish & Chip Awards  has selected the UK’s most impressive five who are now finalists racing towards the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year title.   The 27th winner of the highly acclaimed prize will be announced at the event in February, which is celebrated for being the

555 Amanda Appoints Gavin as New UK General Manager   Seafood supplier, 555 Amanda has named Gavin McLean as its new UK General Manager, leading a newly established UK entity for the Denmark-based seafood specialist. The appointment signals a strengthened commitment to the UK market and follows increased demand from chefs, manufacturers, and the fish and chip sector for the company’s award-winning sustainable seafood.   Gavin has supported 555 Amanda as a sales consultant ove

Richard Ord MBE and Jade Thirwell given Freedom of South Tyneside Singer  JADE  and restaurateur Richard Ord MBE, both of  South Shields , have been given the Honorary Freedom of  South Tyneside .  Richard Ord MBE, owner of the award-winning Colmans Fish and Chip restaurant and Seafood Temple, was honoured for his exceptional entrepreneurship, philanthropy and services to the hospitality industry. Council members have recognised musician Jade Thirlwall for her outstanding con

National Fish & Chip Awards announces top-pick international chippies   Food spots in Iceland and the Netherlands are hoping to blow the competition out of the water, following the news that they are finalists in the International Fish & Chip Operator of the Year category at the 2026   National Fish & Chip Awards .   Fish and chips is an iconic dish here in the UK but businesses from around the world are pulling out all the stops to bring the traditional British culinary expe

National Fish & Chip Awards lands top TV talent to host 2026 awards   British actor, comedian, presenter and award winning author Stephen Mangan has been announced as the official host of the  National Fish & Chip Awards 2026 which is recognised as the leading competition for fish and chip owners.   A hugely versatile performer, award-winning Stephen is best known for his radio show on Classic FM, presenting Portrait Artist of the Year on Sky Arts and the hugely popular gam

Middleton Foods breaks ground on site expansion Leading manufacturer of foodservice and bakery pre-mixes, M iddleton Foods, has this month begun the development of its existing manufacturing facility in Willenhall, West Midlands. The factory is undergoing a £4 million site expansion, which will add 780m 2  to its current footprint, across four floors.   Speaking of its site development plans, Glen Middleton, Director, Middleton Foods, says:   “We’re excited to have broken gro

Final 10 takeaways named for National Fish & Chip Awards Ten UK businesses deemed to be reigning supreme in the fish and chip game have made it to the Takeaway of the Year finals of the acclaimed National Fish & Chip Awards   with Seafood from Norway  as principal sponsor for 2026.   The awards are the cornerstone event for the UK fish and chip trade, which acknowledges and rewards the outstanding brilliance of businesses and individuals serving the beloved British dish. The

Smales and Sailors’ Children’s Society unite to bring Christmas magic to seafaring families in need Two Hull institutions with deep maritime roots, Smales and the Sailors’ Children’s Society, are joining forces this festive season on a mission to ensure no seafaring family goes without a Christmas meal or the joy of giving their children a few special treats. Together, they are launching a fundraising campaign to provide every family supported by Sailors’ Children’s Society w

Middleton Foods Announces Winner of The Peter Hill Award 2025! Middleton Foods is delighted to announce Monster Fish & Chips Co. as the Winner of The Peter Hill Award 2025. Nestled in the heart of Fort Augustus, Monster Fish & Chips Co. is a traditional fish and chip shop that stands out for its unwavering passion for the industry and dedication to quality. Using only the finest ingredients, they consistently deliver fish and chips of the highest standard. The judges agreed t

Meijer UK is offering a pair of tickets and a room to the Chippy Chat Ball The Chippy Chat Ball is back and will be held at the Holiday Inn West Peterborough. With space for over 200 people, we are once again planning the  Christmas party for our industry. The date for you to save is Sunday 7th December 2025. This historical event has been held in Peterborough for over 40 years! Meijer Uk will be there on the evening and would like you and a friend to be their guests on thier

National Fish & Chip Awards’ Field to Frier finalists emerge Three chippies are topping the National Fish & Chip Awards’ charts as the UK’s most well-oiled businesses when it comes to serving perfect portions of chips, edging them closer to Field to Frier award victory. The category is a celebration of fish and chip professionals and their expert insights into serving crisp, fluffy and flavourful chips that enhance the meal, as well as being a standalone treat. The annual aw

How to buy and cook the UK's very own sustainable fish supply By Austen Dack If you are looking for a perfect gift for yourself or a loved one this Christmas then look no further. Britain currently exports about 80% of our fish. We are stuck on eating mainly cod, prawns, salmon and tinned tuna. Yet there are dozens of other delicious British landed fish available to us which are lsustainable caught in British waters and landed in Britain wonderful to eat but currently largely

“I didn’t realise how quickly you run out of breath in the ‘Death Zone’” Chef/Chip Shop Owner conquers one of world’s highest mountains and inspires sister to tackle fitness programme designed for people with MS   A brother who was inspired by his sister to climb the world’s eighth highest mountain has now motivated her to complete a health and fitness programme designed for a condition she’s lived with for more than 15 years. Calum Richardson , a 52-year-old chef and busines

Mobile chippies gear up for National Fish & Chip Awards finals   Things are revving up for three fish and chip businesses which an expert panel at the  National Fish & Chip Awards  has recognised as the nation’s best in the Mobile Operator of the Year category.   The 38 th annual competition has welcomed entries from chippy businesses which run pop-up services from mobile units, vans and trucks at festivals, weddings, corporate events and on high streets the length and bread

MP Harriet Cross visits Garioch Fish Bar By Glen Morrison The NFFF has been urging fish and chip shop owners to contact their MP's to tell them about their struggles in the hospitality industry. Well ours contacted us about our National Fish & Chip awards success and then followed it up with a visit. When Harriet Cross MP wrote to us recently little did she think that two weeks later she’d be in the shop learning how it’s all done and frying fish. Harriet’s an MP that actuall

Northern Irish and Yorkshire chippies smart use of social media at heart of sustainable seafood award success   Belfast’s Fish City was the big foodservice winner at the Marine Stewardship Council UK Awards in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening, landing two of the major prizes which was also attended by Chippy Chat Publishing Editor Austen Dack.  The seafood and fish and chip restaurant, which has been committed to sourcing and serving sustainable produce since it opened in 2013,

Seafish is pleased to announce the appointment of Colin Faulkner as its new Chief Executive. Colin will join Seafish on 12 January 2026. He is currently Head of International Fisheries and Seafood Trade Policy at Defra. He will succeed Marcus Coleman, who leaves Seafish on 17 December after a decade in post. Marcus will take up the role of Chief Executive of the Water Management Alliance and its Member Boards in January. Seafish Chair Mike Sheldon said: “I am very pleased tha

Top Five Restaurants for NF&CA's Announced! Bristol, Devon, Norfolk and Yorkshire are this year's hot spots for sitting down to a stunning plate of fish and chips, as five businesses are named by the National Fish & Chip Awards as finalists in the Restaurant of the Year category! The National Fish & Chip Awards has reached a fork in the road in the Restaurant of the Year category, saying goodbye to half the contenders and announcing the five fantastic fish and chip restaurant

UK’s best 10 young friers are on a roll towards industry award success   A group of young professionals have been named as semi-‘fry’-nalists in the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year category at the  National Fish & Chip Awards 2026 .   The talented individuals, aged 25 and under, who are hoping to become the 27th winner of the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award, have been showcasing masterful skill when it comes to the intricacies of cooking the perfect portion of

Support Fortune Kids & Little Heroes - Dramathon, Oct 2025 In just a few days Scott McWhinney (McWhinney's Sausages) and Rory Ingham, will be running the Dramathon on 18th October 2025, a marathon distance trail run in Speyside Way, Scotland. They are running in aid of Fortune Kids and Little Heroes, two charities very important to them, and would be extremely grateful for your support for these great causes. To sponsor and support: https://shorturl.at/awQnf Fortune Kids is a