Hear from Finalists and Winners: Why You Should Enter the National Fish & Chip Awards

We asked our finalists and winners what entering the National Fish & Chip Awards has done for their business, and what advice they’d give to anyone thinking about taking part. Here’s what they had to say.

Raise Your Profile

“The publicity is always great surrounding the awards. We’re normally on TV or radio around awards time.”
Sonny Lee, Southampton Fish and Chips, Digital Marketing finalist 2025

“News of our award win hit our local press and social media fast. We had a huge influx of new customers trying Bells for the first time.”
Graham Kennedy, Bells Fish & Chips, Restaurant of the Year winner 2025

“Being associated with the awards gave us credibility. Customers noticed, and it definitely raised our profile.”
Lee Robinson, Time & Plaice, Mobile Operator of the Year finalist 2025

Strengthen Your Business

“The judging process gave us new insights and ideas. It made us look at every aspect of the business, from sustainability and sourcing to customer service and staff training.”
Lee Robinson, Time & Plaice

“The awards gave me a renewed purpose and vigour for the industry. They inspired our full team to strive for perfection and gave us confidence in our ability.”
Graham Kennedy, Bells Fish & Chips

“That deep dive helped us identify areas to improve and inspired us to invest more in our team.”
Lee Robinson, Time & Plaice

Boost Staff Morale

“Winning awards boosts employee morale and generates pride. It’s fantastic to see the team take ownership of our success, and it even attracts potential new staff.”
Jitka Fleglova, The Real Food Café, Digital Marketing Award finalist 2025

“The awards process made me think about what I could change in how I work to make the business better and stronger.”
Zak Bishop, Squires Fish & Chip Restaurant, Employee of the Year finalist 2025

Build Customer Trust

“Being shortlisted to winning a category increases buyer trust.”
Simon Mathews, Country Fried, Mobile Operator of the Year winner 2025

“Bringing home accolades showed us what we’re capable of and gave us confidence in our knowledge and ability.”
Graham Kennedy, Bells Fish & Chips

Top Tips for Entering

• Keep everything up to date. Paperwork, courses, and training. (Lee Robinson)
• Plan ahead and be confident in what you want to say. (Zak Bishop)
• Provide more detail than you think. Judges want depth. (Sonny Lee)
• Consistency is key. It’s not just about the fish, every part of your business counts. (Simon Mathews)
• Follow the instructions carefully. (Khairul Zainal, Fez & Cip, International Winner)
• Allow plenty of time. The entry takes work, but it’s worth it. (Jitka Fleglova)
• Do your homework. Know your food law and employment law responsibilities. (Graham Kennedy)
• Just do it! With passion and the right mindset, anyone can win. (Will Burrell, Yarm Road Fish & Chips, Takeaway of the Year winner 2025)

Final Word

As past winners and finalists prove, the National Fish & Chip Awards aren’t just about trophies. They are about growth, pride, recognition, and the future of your business.

If you’re thinking about entering, don’t wait. Enter the awards and discover what it could do for you, your team, and your customers.