Three of the UK’s leading fish and chip businesses have been shortlisted for the National Federation of Fish Friers Fish and Chip Quality Award ‘Champion’ Award as part of the 2016 National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

The finalists are,

• Burton Road Chippy in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
  
• Fochabers Fish Bar in Fochabers, Moray
  
• Towngate Fisheries in Bradford, West Yorkshire 
  

Will now compete against each other as they vie for the top accolade and become the ‘Champion’ of the NFFF’s Quality Award.

To secure a place as a coveted finalist, shortlisted businesses have been appraised across a variety of criteria, including how they have maximised opportunities to promote the Quality Award to customers, how they actively promote the benefits to the wider fish and chip industry, how they measure increased benefits and future plans they have to promote the award.

Now in its fourth year, the NFFF Fish and Chip Quality Award ‘Champion’ Award was created as part of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) awards scheme – a rigorous industry benchmark that was launched in January 2011 – and is only open to businesses holding an already existing NFFF Quality Award.

The awards scheme is designed to acknowledge those who continue to raise the standards of the nation’s fish and chips, rewarding shops that achieve the perfect balance between good quality products, clean hygienic premises, outstanding shop appearance and highly trained staff.

Richard Wardell, Training and Accreditation Manager of the NFFF, commented: "The standard of the entries received this year was very high and the judges were impressed with the level of dedication the shops display towards the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award.

"Each finalist has effectively demonstrated the way in which the award has positively impacted on both staff motivation and financial turnover.”

Mel Groundsell, Corporate Relations Director of Seafish, said: "The National Fish & Chip Awards showcase a diverse range of award categories that cater for every aspect of running a successful business. With the NFFF’s Quality Award being such an integral influence on today’s fish and chip businesses it is important for us to recognise and celebrate businesses holding the NFFF award, promoting its ethos to customers and business benefits to other fish and chip operators.

"Standards across the fish frying industry in the UK are exceptionally high, but it is vital that we continue to strive for greatness, pushing our fish and chip outlets to set ever higher standards for the rest of the industry to aspire to.

"The three finalists have gone above and beyond to actively develop their offering to ensure that the quality of our national dish is maintained and enjoyed for generations to come. They are true UK leaders in the industry and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.”

Culminating in an awards ceremony at The Lancaster London Hotel on 20 January 2016, The National Fish & Chip Awards are recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK. Widely considered as the ‘Oscars’ of the fish frying industry, they celebrate the great British tradition of fish and chips, recognising the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses.

For further information on The National Fish & Chip Awards please visit www.fishandchipawards.com.

Follow @FishnChipAwards on Twitter for all the awards news and information.