THE NATIONAL FISH & CHIP AWARDS 2015 ARE OFF TO A FRYING START

The Oscars of the fish and chips industry, the 2015 National Fish & Chip Awards, have got off to a ‘frying start’ since launching the search for entrants, but businesses from across the UK now only have a short period of time left to enter.

Organised by Seafish, the awards celebrate the great UK tradition of fish and chips, and reward outstanding businesses across a variety of award categories. Now in their 27th year, the awards are recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK.

With a couple of award categories already closed to entry and the remaining closing dates looming*, Seafish is urging fish and chip businesses up and down the country to get their entries in now. For anyone who wants to take part in this hotly contested race to be crowned one of the best fish and chip businesses in the UK, entry forms can be downloaded via www.fishandchipawards.com.

Takeaways and restaurants are being urged to put themselves forward not only to challenge their own business offering and staff but to also support the UK industry in cementing its reputation as the home of top quality fish and chips.

Over the years, entrants have reported momentous advantages to entering the awards. As a significant PR and marketing opportunity, many shops witness an increased consumer and industry profile and an uplift in sales – The Bay Fish & Chips in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire reported a 100% increase in sales after winning Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year in 2013.

Winner of the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop 2014, Stuart Fusco of Quayside, Whitby, North Yorkshire comments: "I cannot tell you what it meant to us to be named the best fish and chip takeaway in the UK. Our family business worked extremely hard to be recognised and finally walking away with the top prize was a real milestone for our business.

"The National Fish & Chip Awards gives businesses the chance to challenge themselves. They recognise the hard work and dedication that goes into everything from customer service, quality assurance and sustainability to just creating great tasting fish and chips. I would definitely recommend any fish and chip business to enter – I will be looking forward to seeing all the entries this year!”

For further information on The National Fish & Chip Awards including a full list of this year’s award categories please visit www.fishandchipawards.com. Follow @FishnChipAwards on Twitter for all the awards news and information.

*The closing date for the ^Good Catch – The Sustainable Seafood Award^ is 31 July 2014, the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award ‘Champion’ Award is 3 October 2014 and the closing date for all other award categories is 18 July 2014. Please note that the ‘Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award’ and ‘Best Seasonal Operator Award’ closed on 27 June 2014.