The Top 6 Shortlist for the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Announced

Six young professionals are ‘frying’ high towards prestigious national award

A group of young fish friers have been successful in making it to the next round of the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024 in the hopes of being named the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year.

The competitors – all aged under 25 – were judged to be the top six in the second-stage assessment, where the 10 candidates who made it through the first round of the competition showcased their fish and chip frying skills during individual, live demonstrations, while also facing a tough grilling from industry experts.

Kelvin Lee, Managing Director of Drywite Ltd, which sponsors the award, comments: “We are extremely proud of the six who are moving forward in the category. They each have great passion for the fish and chip industry and learning, which is wonderful to see. There’s no doubt that the recipient of the Malcolm Lee Trophy will inspire many other young people to give their all to a career in the fish and chip sector.”

Andrew Crook, awards organiser and President of the National Federation of Fish says: “The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year category was postponed for a few years due to the pandemic and it has always been hotly anticipated and now it’s back, we can see this year’s entrants have really upped the ante with their abilities – what great assets they are to the businesses they work for.”

The six fantastic fish friers are:

· Imogen Atkinson – Real Food Cafe in Crianlarich, Scotland

· Kieran Bulpit – Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire

· James Ellams – Fish and Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire

· Charlie James – Pier Point Bar & Restaurant in Torquay, Devon

· Glen Marshall Morrison – Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland

· Jamie Russo – Redcloak Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Scotland

After the next round of judging, the top three will be invited to London for the awards ceremony on 28 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge where the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year winner will be announced.

For more information and bits on the National Fish and Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.