The National Fish and Chip Awards have announced their grand winner – and it’s Kingfisher Fish and Chips in Plymouth.
Each year chippies battle it out from a pool of 10 regional winners for the top prize, and after much deliberation from the judges it was the Devon-based fish-frying specialists who took top spot.
The judges put the chippies through a rigorous, seven-month judging period, assessing the quality of the fish and chips, service and even how responsibly the shops source their produce and the diversity of their menu.
On the last day of judging the 10 finalists pitched to a panel of 14 judges in a fry-off, giving a Dragon’s Den style presentation of their shop and food.
A day later at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London, the ultimate winners, representing South West England, were presented with their prize.
“We are absolutely elated,” said Kingfisher owners Nikki Mutton and Craig Maw. We’ve entered this award three times now, coming second last year, so to go all the way is amazing – I guess three really is a charm.”
Ben Bartlett, master craftsman of the Craft Guild of Chefs and member of the final judging panel, said: “This year was definitely Kingfisher’s year – they stood out immediately for their extensive knowledge and experience, robust sourcing policies, forward-thinking approach, and continual business growth.”
Feeling hungry after all this talk about fish and chips? Well, in case you aren’t lucky enough to live in Plymouth – the home of this year’s winners – you might still be able to visit this year’s second place Burton Road Chippy in Lincoln, Lincolnshire (Eastern England) or third-placed Millers Fish and Chips in Haxby, North Yorkshire (North East England).
Still looking for the best chippie on your doorstep? Here’s the rest of the regional winners for 2017:
Scotland – Fochabers Fish Bar, Fochabers, Moray
Wales – Hennighan’s Top Shop, Machynlleth, Powys
Northern Ireland – The Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon, County Tyrone
North West England – Hodgson’s Chippy, Lancaster, Lancashire
Midlands – Oldswinford Fish & Chips, Dudley, Stourbridge
London and South East England – Henley’s of Wivenhoe, Wivenhoe, Colchester
South West England – Godfrey’s Fish and Chips, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
