Twelve candidates from UK fish and chip shops making a splash in the industry have been shortlisted for the acclaimed Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025. Last year's winner was Jamie Russo from Redcloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven.
Jamie Russo Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Winner 2024
Representing the best upcoming talent is a group of 12 young friers – all aged 25 or under with a minimum of six months’ frying experience – who have caught the attention of the judging panel for their sound understanding of how to cook fish and chips consistently well.
The next stage will literally see them having bigger fish to fry. During a live video call, the young fish friers will put their skills in action while being assessed by experts who will grade them on criteria including their fish and batter preparation, oil temperature control and frying technique.
The young friers who impress the panel enough to make the final round of judging will then face an in-depth judging visit at their place of work. The National Fish & Chip Awards is the biggest of its kind in the sector and is well respected for its in-depth approach to appraise, improve and set new standards within the industry. It provides an opportunity for individuals and the businesses they work for to receive expert feedback and direction for continued sustained success.
Hoping to progress further and claim the coveted title are:
Abigail Barker – Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby (near York), Yorkshire
Kieran Bulpit –Linfords Traditional Fish & Chips in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire
Courtney Clifford – St Annes Fish Restaurant in St Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancashire
James Ellams – Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire
Sebastian Harding Crook – Squires in Braunton, Devon
Charlie James – Pier Point Fish & Chips in Torquay, Devon
Charlotte Jones – Finneys Amlwch in Anglesey, Wales
Scott Kendrew – Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby (near York), Yorkshire
Charlie Knox – The Carron in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Georgia Lye – Seafare Guilford in Surrey
Sebastian Miller – Linfords Traditional Fish & Chips in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire
Glen Morrison – Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland
Award sponsor Kelvin Lee, Managing Director of Drywite Ltd, says: “We are very pleased to be running the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year competition again in 2025. We always find the calibre of young talent coming through the industry amazing and all twelve of those shortlisted this year have the potential to really drive their fish and chip careers forward in the future.
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