Japanese shoppers are set for a taste of the UK’s finest when the country’s No. 1 fish and chip shop, Kingfisher in Devon, sets up shop in Japan’s biggest department store.

Hankyu department stores, the Japanese equivalent of Harrod’s, has invited Kingfisher’s Craig Maw and Nikki Mutton on the trip of a lifetime to open a pop-up shop at its British Fair this October. Celebrating its 50thanniversary, the theme of the two week fair this year is "Best of the Best”. With support from the British Embassy as well as other UK organisations including the V&A and the National Trust, the fair is expected to attract around half a million customers per week and a total turnover of £3million.

The duo’s 6,000 mile trip begins on 1stOctober when they arrive to take up their residency at the department store in Fukuoka before travelling to its second location in Osaka. Fish and Kingfisher’s custom made batter from the UK will also be specially imported for the show, to ensure a truly authentic experience.

As well as holding the title of the country’s No. 1 Fish and Chip Shop, Craig was recently named Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Sustainable Chef of the Year 2017 and Kingfisher is known for having the ‘world’s most sustainable seafood menu’. Kingfisher is also nominated for a Sustainable Restaurant Association Food Made Good Awards in the category of Source Fish Responsibly.The importance of not only quality but sustainability is something Craig and Nikki are keen to get across to their Japanese customers.

Speaking ahead of their departure, Craig explains, "We’ve never visited Japan before so this is going to be an incredible experience. To be asked to represent the "Best of the Best” is a real honour. We’ll be telling our Japanese customers about how quality and sustainable sourcing are vital ingredients for making our national dish the best it can be. We’re expecting to serve around 8,000 portions of fish and chips over the two week period which is more than double what we’d usually serve in our Plympton shop. It’ll certainly be busy but we can’t wait to do our industry proud!”

Kingfisher Fish and Chips holds many other accolades including the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) quality award, is one of just two chippies to be awarded the maximum 3 star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, has the highest rating from Fish to Fork and recently became gold winners at the Free From Eating Out Awards.