The UK’s top three fish and chip business which champion the use of sustainable, seasonal fish caught in UK waters have been revealed today. Each of the finalists has netted a place on the shortlist for the Seasonal UK Seafood Award, a brand new award which is one of 14 categories in the 2020 National Fish & Chip Awards.

Organised by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry, the National Fish & Chip Awards is a prestigious annual competition which celebrates excellence in the fish and chip industry.

The Seasonal UK Seafood Award category is open to fish and chip businesses which celebrate and promote seasonal seafood choices to customers. It recognises and rewards businesses for their knowledge, use and promotion of the fantastic variety of fresh seasonal species sourced from UK waters.

The judging criteria also assessed sustainable sourcing policies; with a focus on traceability and awareness of best practice in use of seasonal UK fish and shellfish, menu development and innovation, customer service, staff training, market intelligence and wider marketing and promotional activity.

The top three finalists in this category represent the best in the UK. The shortlisted businesses are:

• Sutton and Sons, London
• Something Else Fishy, Milborne Port, Somerset
• Penaluna’s Famous Fish and Chips, Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive Officer at Seafish, said: “This new award category showcases leading fish and chip businesses which are helping to promote a diverse range of fish species and the availability of great local fish and shellfish across the country. The shortlisted businesses have demonstrated real commitment to quality in a number of areas, not just the product, and have worked extremely hard to earn their place on this list.” 

This Seasonal UK Seafood Award is sponsored by Scottish Seafood Association and the Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA).

Mike Park, CEO of SWFPA, said: “Encouraging businesses to use sustainable seasonal seafood products is really important. We’re delighted to be the partnering with the Scottish Seafood Association as first sponsors of this brand new award which celebrates businesses that champion and support their local fishing community by making the best use of UK fish and shellfish. We wish all the finalists the best of luck and look forward to seeing which of the shortlisted businesses will be awarded the title for the first time.”

Over the coming weeks the three businesses will be judged again for consistency in their product and customer service. The winner of the Seasonal UK Seafood Award will be announced at the 32nd National Fish & Chip Awards  Ceremony in London on 23 January 2020.

For information on all announced awards shortlists, please visit https://www.seafish.org/article/finalists-and-winners

To keep up to date with news of forthcoming awards announcements and results visit: https://www.seafish.org/fish-chip-awards
or follow: @FishNChipAwards on twitter - #FishnChipAwards.