Fish finger sandwiches are one of the nation’s favourite tea-time treats and what better way to celebrate the beloved snack than with the Fish Finger Sandwich Awards.
The inaugural ceremony took place in London and welcomed the creme de la creme of fish finger sandwich-makers to showcase their finest work.
The contestants went head to head in a live cook-off at the event, where they threw together their unique fish finger sandwiches for a panel of judges: TV personality Gregg Wallace, Daily Telegraph writer Xanthe Clay, Delicious magazine food editor Jennifer Bedloe, Food Urchin blogger Danny Kingston and Birds Eye head chef Peter Lack.
Taste, texture and presentation were among the features to be rated by the five judges, with only two winners being chosen from the six finalists in two different categories: the Best Public Entry and the Best Professional Entry.
Gabrielle Sanders took the Public trophy for her sandwich which was filled with mayo, paprika, capers, lime, wasabi and rocket.
The judges commended her for its “unusual combination of ingredients, punchy flavours and smart presentation,” which they said “allowed the fish fingers to take centre stage”.
Here's @gabriellesander's – fish fingers with mayo, paprika, capers, lime, wasabi & rocket #FishFingerSandwichAwards pic.twitter.com/FDrdgTM4n6
— Birds Eye UK (@BirdsEyeUK) February 16, 2017
Topping the professional category was Chris Lanyon, from the Chapel Cafe in Cornwall, who wowed the panel with his creation – a Cornish hake coated in panko which, according to the judges, “allowed the quality of fish to shine through” alongside his chunky tartare sauce.
Here's @chapel_cafe' creation – Cornish Hake coated in panko with homemade tartare sauce #FishFingerSandwichAwards pic.twitter.com/CkQlbKtCp4
— Birds Eye UK (@BirdsEyeUK) February 16, 2017
So there we have it: the two best fish finger sandwiches the nation has to offer.
