A Northern Ireland fish and chip shop has come out on top as the triumphant winner of a new award at last night’s (24 January) National Fish & Chip Awards 2013, hosted by Seafish, the authority on seafood.

The Chippy in Antrim, Northern Ireland won the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) Fish & Chip Quality Award ‘Champion,’ ahead of the two other finalists - Harbour Lights of Falmouth, Cornwall and Platten’s Fish & Chips of Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk.

(L-R) Awards host Rory Bremner with Joanne Graham and Valerie Jenkins of The Chippy and NFFF President Gregg Howard.

As the newly crowned NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award ‘Champion,’ The Chippy won the award after being recognised by a panel of judges as the fish and chip shop who had done the most, from all the entries to the new competition, to promote the NFFF Fish and Chip Quality Award scheme, both to the general public and to other fish and chip shop owners.   

All the current Fish and Chip Quality Award holders were encouraged to enter the category to demonstrate the inventive and successful ideas they had come up with to promote their business as a Quality Award holding fish and chip shop and to promote the scheme itself.

The Fish and Chip Quality Award is a scheme run by the National Federation of Fish Friers and is designed to acknowledge top quality fish and chip shops that achieve the perfect balance between good quality products, clean hygienic premises, high standards of shop appearance and well trained and competent managers and staff.  

Denise Dodd, General Secretary of the NFFF said: “It’s great to see so many inventive ideas and enthusiasm and such passion for the fish and chip industry, demonstrated by all the entrants to this competition.  

“Joanne Graham and Valerie Jenkins at The Chippy have put so much enthusiasm into promoting their shop and the significance of holding the Quality Award.  They have successfully increased business levels, expanded their customer base and improved staff motivation without the benefit of a huge marketing budget.  We would like to congratulate them on their well-earned success.”

Paul Williams, Chief Executive of Seafish said, “We are very fortunate that the fish and chip industry has so many individuals committed to delivering excellence in all areas.

“Well done to the entire team at The Chippy for their effort and for winning the award.”