The 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards have today kicked off their 30th anniversary year and are now officially open for entry, marking the start of a nine-month quest to find the UK’s best fish and chip businesses.

Celebrating 30 years of success, the awards - aptly known as the ‘Oscars’ of the fish and chips world - have continuously grown in scale and stature since their formation in 1988, and are now recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK.

With a bumper milestone year ahead,

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, said: "Since the competition began all those years ago, the fish and chip industry has changed dramatically. Yes, we still have our traditional ‘chippies’ but fish and chips can now also be enjoyed through many other types of outlet with bars, restaurants, supermarket cafes and mobile vans offering high quality, delicious, fish and chips. The overall fish and chip sector has seen a substantial rise in innovation as businesses venture beyond the norm to diversify their food offerings and improve how they communicate with existing and new customers.

"The range of award categories open for entry has grown in direct response to these innovations, with a category available for every fish and chip business, big or small, with a passion for frying and providing fantastic customer service.

"With an incredible celebratory year ahead of us, there hasn’t been a better time to enter the awards and help us reinforce the UK’s reputation as the home of the world’s best fish and chips.”

The flagship Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award is one of the highest industry honours to receive as a fish and chip business and previous winners have gone on to great success, reporting sales increases of up to 100%.

Reigning champions Nikki Mutton and Craig Maw of Kingfisher Fish & Chips in Plympton, Plymouth, Devon added: "We were absolutely elated when we won the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards – it was an amazing experience to go all the way and claim the top title, especially after coming in second place the year before.

"From the moment our names were called out from that podium at the London awards ceremony we haven’t stopped – we’ve had a dramatic increase in business and the word of our success is still spreading! On average our sales increased 40% and due to demand we’ve now hired over 10 new members of staff. We’d encourage all fish and chip businesses that are passionate about what they do to enter – speaking from experience it is truly worth it!”

The National Fish & Chip Awards celebrate the great British tradition of fish and chips, showcasing the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses through 14 different award categories:

For further information on The National Fish & Chip Awards, information on how to enter or deadline dates please visit or follow @FishnChipAwards.