Bourdon Street Chippy to re-open for the National Fish & Chip Awards

The National Fish & Chip Awards has announced that critically acclaimed felt artist Lucy Sparrow will be donning her apron and hair net and firing up the range for an exclusive pop-up exhibition of the showstopping ‘The Bourdon Street Chippy’ at the upcoming awards ceremony.

Last summer, Lucy unveiled a full-size takeaway installation at Mayfair’s Lyndsey Ingram Gallery in London where the 65,000+ individual pieces, including the counter, frying ranges, fridge, tables, banquette seating, cutlery to the delicious menu featuring the iconic dish, condiments, drinks and more, were crafted from felt by hand.

The worldwide media fanfare the art event received had the judges at the UK’s official competition for the fish and chip industry hooked and an all-new fictional category, ‘Most Heartfelt Chippy Opening of the Year 2025’ was created. As the only eligible contender for the award, Lucy was unrivalled in the competition, and the landslide victory made her the first and last-ever winner.

The National Fish & Chip Awards’ annual event on Wednesday 25 February at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, is set to be the biggest celebration of the nation’s iconic dish and the operators behind it.

Guests will be treated to a one-off experience of ‘The Bourdon Street Chippy’ and while it will be a smaller-sized serving of the exhibition, it will be a no-less tasty time at the takeaway, with bestselling items, industry iconography and limited-edition prints available. A bespoke item will also be auctioned off, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the awards’ chosen charity, the Sailors’ Children’s Society.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Friers which oversees the awards, says the 38^th edition of the event has been elevated by the addition of Bourdon Street Chippy. “The National Fish & Chip Awards 2026 will be an industry most-talked about moment for the treasured institution. We have sector’s cream of the crop to honour, as well as a powerhouse from the art world, with an amazing tribute to fish and chips.

“This collaboration with Lucy has been a fantastic fusion of different worlds but there’s so much crossover with what it takes to be an expert fryer or artist. Whether making real fish and chips or a felted version, using the best quality goods, being sustainably minded and making it all look effortless, deserves the highest recognition.

“We all know that delivering high-quality product consistently requires outstanding skill and Lucy’s meticulous attention detail has got us thinking she could be in with a chance of being the NFFF Quality Accreditation Champion if she enters Bourdon Street Chippy next year! All jokes aside, what a way to show appreciation and respect for the passion and work of each other’s hands.”

Lucy shares her excitement for the special lunchtime service at the awards: “The exhibition last summer was a huge celebration of just how much the nation truly loves their chippy tea and it was an extra special joy for me to be awarded a National Fish & Chip Award! I am delighted to be a part of this brilliant event and to be reopening the award-winning Bourdon Street Chippy!”

Visit https://thefishandchipawards.com/event-tickets/ to bag one of the few remaining tickets for the unmissable ceremony.

For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards and Lucy Sparrow, please visit: www.nfff.co.uk/awards and www.sewyoursoul.co.uk.