Three of the UK’s leading fish and chip businesses offering the perfect chip have been revealed today (Thursday 2 November) as part of the 30th anniversary National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish. 

Download the full press release (PDF) Download the full shortlist (PDF)

Shortlisted as finalists for the From Field to Frier Award – one of 15 categories in the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards - the three shops that will now compete for the top title in this award category are (in alphabetical order):

Harbourside Fish and Chips, Plymouth, Devon Mister C^s, Selby, North Yorkshire Towngate Fisheries, Bradford, West Yorkshire

Recognised for their efforts in creating the perfect chip, businesses have been assessed against a wide variety of judging criteria with a specific focus on their policies and procedures in the responsible sourcing of potatoes. They were also assessed on their potato knowledge, including types and seasonality, storage and preparation of raw ingredients.

Over the coming weeks, judges will make further in-depth visits to review both the front and back-of-house practices of the respective businesses. This final stage of competition judging will determine the overall national winner who will be announced at the 30th anniversary awards ceremony.

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, said: "Often overlooked, delicious fluffy chips play an important role in producing the perfect portion of fish and chips – and it all starts with sourcing the right potato. 

"Filled with vitamins, minerals and organic compounds, potatoes offer many of the healthy nutrients required for a balanced diet. However with fish sustainability currently high on the agenda, it’s easy to overlook the significance of potato provenance. 

"This award not only measures the quality of the chip, it also recognises each business’ efforts to source responsibly, providing customers with traceable and sustainable products. I’m pleased to say that our finalists have excelled in all areas.”

Awards sponsor Oliver Boutwood, Director at Isle of Ely Produce, commented: "This award has really captured the attention and imagination of both farmers and friers alike, and has become a part of our intrinsic values at Isle of Ely.

"So much so that we hold an annual open day at our premises for potato growers, farmers and trade including friers, to gain further insight into the potato supply process. Attended by over 100 people in 2017, we have plans to make the 2018 open day even bigger and better."

Austen Dack said "We also organise the world^s only potato street race, with everyone from Ely in Cambridgeshire getting involved and teams sprinting for glory with 20kg potato sacks on their backs; it’s a great day not to be missed, with many of our top UK fish and chip businesses and shops as sponsors.

"Overall, I’m so pleased to see that fish and chip businesses are really starting to think about the whole journey of the potato. Some are even able tell customers which field their potatoes are grown in! Congratulations to our finalists and good luck.”

The winner of the From Field to Frier award category will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 30th anniversary ceremony in London on 25 January 2018. For more information follow@FishnChipAwards #FishnChipAwards on Twitter.