Three of the UK’s leading fish and chip businesses have been shortlisted as finalists in the Staff Training and Development Award as part of the 2016 National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

The three finalists are

• Mister C’s in Selby, North Yorkshire
• Penaluna^s Famous Fish & Chips in Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf 
  
• The Frying Squad in Bangor, County Down 

Will now aim to ‘out fry’ one another as they compete to claim the UK title.

To secure a place as a finalist, shortlisted businesses have been appraised across a wide range of judging criteria including internal training policies and systems, training assessments to gauge the need for development, training support and forward plans for staff development.

Over the coming weeks, the shortlisted businesses will be subjected to further unannounced judging visits from an awards auditor who will review the staff training and development practices, in addition to ascertaining the level of customer service and quality of the fish and chips on offer. This final stage of competition judging will determine the overall winner that will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held in London in January 2016.

Sponsored by James T. Blakeman & Co Ltd, the Staff Training and Development Awardrecognises fish and chip businesses that provide their employees with the highest level of training while demonstrating dedication to personal development and career progression.

Award sponsor Philip Blakeman, Managing Director of James T. Blakeman & Co Ltd, commented: "As a family business with over 60 years’ experience and recognised as one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of sausage and meat products, staff training has always been an important part of our success.

"The prudent owners of fish frying establishments cannot overlook the importance of good quality training for their burgeoning young staff members and be mindful of their role in the future success of the business.

"As a proud sponsor of The National Fish & Chip Awards, I believe this category showcases those businesses that are a credit to the industry and positively encourages others to follow suit. We would like to congratulate the finalists in reaching this stage of the competition.”

Mel Groundsell, Corporate Relations Director of Seafish, said: "The National Fish & Chip Awards showcase a diverse range of award categories that cater for every aspect of running a successful business, including staff training and development.

"It’s so important that we recognise and reward businesses excelling in this area, not only to encourage improved training methods but to also help increase the knowledge and skill base of our industry, helping safeguard it for generations to come.

"This year we had an exceptionally high calibre of entries; it’s rewarding to see so much passion for our industry as a whole. Our three finalists have set an exemplary example and I’d like to offer up my congratulations and wish them the best of luck in the final round of judging.”

Culminating in an awards ceremony at The Lancaster London Hotel on 20 January 2016, The National Fish & Chip Awards are recognised as one of the most prominent and respected seafood industry events in the UK. Widely considered as the ‘Oscars’ of the fish frying industry, they celebrate the great British tradition of fish and chips, recognising the best talent, quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses.