Michael Artemis, Manager of Starfish at 192 Regent Road, Tividale has joined the fish frying elite from across the UK, by scooping the prestigious Fish and Chip Quality Award. One of only 300 awarded throughout the whole of the U.K. (including Northern Ireland).

The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the trade body that represents the nation’s fish and chip shops, runs the scheme as a way of raising standards within the fish and chip trade and enhancing the profile of the industry.

The scheme is a way of rewarding and promoting shops that provide good quality products and high standards of hygiene, as well as friers who show a high level of competence.

To qualify, each shop has to go through an inspection by an NFFF Approved Assessor who assesses the shop’s presentation, hygiene and cleanliness, staff training, equipment, frying and sales skills and most importantly the quality of the cooked product.

This award sets the new benchmark for quality within the industry. It will signal to the consumer that they can buy with confidence where the award is displayed, and it will encourage more outlets to raise their standards.

Since opening in August 2014, and shortly after achieving the National Federation of Fish Friers Award, Starfish also achieved a top rating of "5” under Sandwell Council’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS).

This award run by the local authority and in partnership with the Food Standards Agency means that Starfish has been found to have ‘Very Good’ hygiene standards. Awards are proudly displayed in the shop for all to see.