Top 8 Finalists Announced for Fish and Chip Industry Employee of the Year

The National Fish and Chip Awards 2026 are delighted to announce the Top 8 finalists in the Employee of the Year category, proudly sponsored by Smales.

This award celebrates the people who make fish and chips special. The friendly faces behind the counter, the team players in the kitchen, and the industry workers who go above and beyond to keep standards high and customers coming back for more.

After a fantastic number of entries from across the UK, the judges have selected the following finalists:

Adam Leigh – Knights Fish Restaurant Est. 1909

Anton Perera – Berryfields Fish Bar

Donna Whitfield – Bells Fish & Chips

Hollie Hutton – Towngate Fisheries

Keira Copeland – Garioch Fish Bar

Mikey Wallwork – Taylors

Sonny Lee – J-Henry’s Fish & Chips

Zak Bishop – Squires Fish Restaurant & Take Away

Each of these outstanding finalists has shown dedication, skill, and pride in their work – proving that great fish and chips always start with great people. They’ve all been recognised for making a real difference to their businesses and local communities.

The winner will be revealed at the National Fish and Chip Awards ceremony in London, February 2026 – where we’ll find out who’s truly a chip above the rest!

👉 Book your tickets now: thefishandchipawards.com/event-tickets

About Smales

Since 1937, Smales has been supplying the UK’s fish fryers and caterers with quality fish and seafood. Today, they remain a family-owned business, renowned for reliability and the consistent quality of their sustainably sourced products.
Bringing value for money, tradition, and innovation to the nation’s table, Smales works with elite suppliers from around the globe.
👉 www.smales.co.uk