Next generation professionals set their sights on top fish and chip award

Fourteen of the nation’s most talented, young fish and chip industry professionals have secured a place in the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year shortlist at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2027.

Open to entrants aged 25 and under, with a minimum of six months’ solo frying experience, the competition is looking for a new champion, with exceptional frying knowledge, technical ability and passion for raising standards.

The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award first launched in 1995 and is one of the longest-running categories at the National Fish & Chip Awards, which has been rewarding excellence for almost four decades. The category is hotly contested and is a celebration of the industry’s many ambitious, skilled and committed leaders of the future.

The next stage of the process will see the group of 14 taking on a series of challenges and interviews led by successful industry entrepreneurs with extensive expertise and outstanding track records. Every part of the cooking process will come under scrutiny from oil selection and potato preparation to fish portioning and frying techniques. Participants will have to think quickly and demonstrate sound knowledge and sharp skills as they progress through the competition.

The contenders looking to become the next title holder after James Ellams of Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire, are:

Abigail Barker – Millers of Haxby, Yorkshire

Kieran Bulpit – Donington Fish & Chips in Spalding, Lincolnshire

Evan Catto – Low’s Fish & Chips in Westhill, Scotland

Xen Christoforou – Love Pete’s in Nuneaton/Bedworth in Warwickshire
Thea Coble – Harrison’s Fish & Chips in Oxford, Oxfordshire

Matthew Faulkner – Cox at the Lighthouse in St Neots, Cambridgeshire

Sebastian Harding-Crook – Squires in Braunton, Devon

Max Langlands – Anstruther Fish Bar in Fife, Scotland

Georgia Lye – Seafare Guilford in Surrey
Dylan MacDonald – Low’s Fish & Chips Berryden in Aberdeen, Scotland
Lewis Oliver – The Elite Fish & Chip Company in Lincoln, Lincolnshire 

Jay Potts – Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire
Kieran Smith – Monster Fish & Chips in Fort Augustus, Scotland
Megan White – The Golden Fillet in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The competition isn’t solely about frying, it also celebrates and encourages life beyond the frying range where those at the start of their careers can develop their confidence and leadership skills and wider business knowledge, while making valuable connections throughout the sector. 

Participation in the National Fish & Chip Awards has opened doors to experiences such as specialist development days, exclusive industry events, opportunities to travel, including annual study trips to Europe.

Saffie Dowty, newly appointed sales director of Drywite Ltd, and daughter of managing director Kelvin Lee, represents the next generation of the family business, which has nurtured an impressive pipeline of young industry talent through the competition. 

She comments: “The Drywite Young Fish Frier Competition has been part of my life for as long as I can remember: the first competition took place in the year I was born. Since then, it has become a cherished part of our family life and annual routine—including our yearly, and always unsuccessful, attempts to persuade my dad to reveal the winner’s name.

“Growing up I saw first-hand the passion, hard work and pride that went into creating an event dedicated to celebrating the next generation of fish friers. What began as an idea from my dad and Aunty Briar has grown into a competition that gives young people the opportunity to develop their skills, build confidence and take pride in an important part of our food industry.

“I look forward to supporting the competition into the future, helping it continue my family’s legacy while creating opportunities for the next generation of talented fish friers.”

Kelvin Lee adds: “Judging the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year competition is always an exciting time, we have always been amazed at the very high calibre of young talent coming through the industry, and I am sure this year’s contestants will not disappoint us and have the potential to really drive their fish and chip careers forward in the future. It will be a great thrill to present The Malcolm Lee Trophy to this year’s winner at the National Fish & Chip Awards in London and for Drywite to become a part of their career story.”

Andrew Crook is the president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) which organises the awards event. He says: “The top 14 is packed with such promising talent who have shown great drive, determination and pride in their work, but things are about to get even tougher from here as we see who has what it takes to be named the best of the best.

“The awards process will help refine their practical fish and chip cookery but will also build character, skills and relationships to help them progress into leadership and business ownership. This platform will stretch their thinking of just how far their careers can go and it’s going to be an accelerated time of growth and discovery for them, and we’re honoured to be part of their journey.” 

Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year 2026 winner James Ellams speaks of his time following his award victory earlier this year: “Winning Drywite Young Fish Frier has had many benefits for me and Fish and Chips @ Weston Grove. Trade at our shop has increased by around 30% and more importantly, we have managed to maintain the momentum rather than just experiencing a short-term boost, keeping new regulars coming back and receiving great reviews. 

“Winning has opened doors internationally. I recently travelled to the Faroe Islands to take part in the annual Fishermen’s Day – Sjómannadagurin – where I helped fry a staggering 9,000+ portions of fish and chips in a single shift! 

“I have been leading educational industry events, including organising study trips for other young people in the industry to help them to understand the supply chain. A lot of my focus has been towards promoting apprenticeships within our industry on local and national projects.”

James continues: “My advice for the entrants? Embrace the expert feedback you receive at each stage as it is invaluable for boosting your personal confidence and refining your practical skills. Focus on a career, it’s not “just a job!”, the award is prestigious because it specifically focuses on the future of the trade, shining a light on young people who are genuinely dedicated to a long-term career in the fish and chip industry.”

The semi-finalists will be announced later next month, and the overall 2027 Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 24 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.  

For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.