Business

Top two local chippies look to become UK's best

Malachy Mallon, owner of the Dolphin Takeaway in Dungannon - in the running to be named the top fish and chip shop in the UK
Malachy Mallon, owner of the Dolphin Takeaway in Dungannon - in the running to be named the top fish and chip shop in the UK Malachy Mallon, owner of the Dolphin Takeaway in Dungannon - in the running to be named the top fish and chip shop in the UK

THE north's top two fish and chip shops have been revealed, as the countdown is on to find the UK's number one.

Superbites in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh and The Dolphin Takeaway in Dungannon, County Tyrone have been shortlisted as Northern Ireland’s best chip shops in the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award, one of 15 categories in the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards

The two finalists will now compete for the ultimate honour of being crowned number one in the UK.

Out of all the businesses who initially applied for the awards just 20 remain in contention. Over the coming week, the top 20 will be subjected to further assessment with judges making unannounced visits to undertake full business audits and additional appraisal of the fish and chips on offer. This next judging stage will determine a top 10 list of shops who will progress to the final stage of the competition to be held in London in January 2018.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive of award organisers Seafish, said: “Our Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award is the highest accolade for a fish and chip shop to win. This category is renowned for its fierce competition and our top 20 showcase the best talent that there is in the sector right now.”

The winner of the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 30th anniversary ceremony in London on January 25, 2018.