The National Fish & Chip Awards 2017 are on the hunt to find the UK’s best fish and chip businesses with only a limited time left to enter.

With application deadlines fast approaching*, organiser Seafish is urging fish and chip businesses throughout the country to get their entries in now with a view to securing their ‘plaice’ in this year’s awards program.

Mel Groundsell, Corporate Relations Director of Seafish,said: "With a quick and straightforward entry process, it’s never been easier to enter the awards. From traditional coastal resorts to buzzing city centres, entries across a variety of award categories are open to any fish and chip business, big or small, with a passion for frying and providing fantastic customer service.

"I’m urging takeaways and restaurants to put themselves forward to not only challenge their own business offering, but to also support the UK industry and help us reinforce its reputation as the home of the world’s best fish and chips.”

Now in their 29th year, The National Fish & Chip Awards are recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK – aptly known as the frying ‘Oscars’.

Celebrating the great British tradition of fish and chips, they showcase the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses through 13 award categories.

Reigning Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip of the Year Award winners James and Bonny Ritchie of Simpsons Fish & Chips in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, commented: "Winning the flagship award as part of the 2016 National Fish & Chip Awards was a life changing experience and a moment we’ll treasure forever. Taking home the overall national takeaway title was the ultimate seal of approval from an industry that we’re so honoured to be part of.

"From the moment that we were crowned the winners we saw a dramatic increase in business across both our takeaway and restaurant - this continues to grow as the word of our success spreads across the country and even further afield. We encourage all fish and chip businesses that are passionate about what they do to enter – speaking from experience it is truly worth it!”

Winning the flagship Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Awardis one of the highest industry honours with previous finalists reporting sales increases of up to 100%. 

During the competition, a number of shortlisted shops for select award categories will have the opportunity to attend exclusive all-expense paid study trips, which in previous years have included visits to Norway and north east Scotland.

The 2017 award categories open for entry are:

Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award

Open to all independent fish and chip businesses with a takeaway facility

Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year Award

Open to all independent fish and chip restaurants.

Best Mobile Fish and Chip Operator Award

Open to mobile fish and chip businesses.

Best Multiple Operator Award

Open to fish and chip operators with three or more outlets (including franchises).

Best Foodservice Operator Award

Open to all general foodservice operators that serve fish and chips, eg., pubs, cafes, department stores, hotels, travel and leisure.

Best Newcomer Award

Open to fish and chip operators who are new to the industry.

Staff Training and Development Award

Open to all fish and chip businesses and rewarding excellence in staff training and

development practices and policies.

From Field to Frier Award

Open to all fish and chip businesses and rewarding knowledge of potato sourcing and chip preparation processes

Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award

Open to all applicants who are aged 25 years or younger.

Marketing Innovation Award

Open to all fish and chip businesses and rewarding excellence in marketing and

promotional activity.

Good Catch – The Sustainable Seafood Award

Open to all fish and chip businesses, this award rewards knowledge and the promotion of responsible sourcing and sustainability practices.

NFFF Quality Award Champion Award

Open to all current National Federation of Fish Friers Quality Award holders.

Healthy Eating ‘Fish and Chips’ Award

Open to all fish and chip businesses that are excelling in educating and informing their customers on healthy choices and the nutritional values of fish and chips.

*The closing date for the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award and The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award is 30 June 2016. The NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award ‘Champion’ Award closing date is 30 September 2016. The closing date for all other award categories is 31 July 2016.