How did Doncaster chippy fare in awards to find UK's best fish and chip shops?

The National Fish and Chip Awards has announced its 2024 winners – but there was no prize for Doncaster’s Auckley Friery which was bidding to be named the country’s top takeaway.

The Doncaster shop made it into the top 20, but the Ship Deck in Caerphilly, Wales took the top prize.

The ceremony, hosted by comedian Rob Beckett, celebrate excellence throughout the fish and chip industry both on home shores and for the first time this year, international ones too.

Over the last few months, businesses have been ‘plaice-d’ under a microscope and applicants have been grilled with interviews and skills tests by sector specialists.

Industry knowledge and sustainable practices have been pored over and unannounced mystery visits were made but the hard work has paid off and the winners are reeling in the rewards.

Here are the businesses which have taken ‘pole’ position in their categories.

Takeaway of the Year

1st: Ship Deck – Caerphilly, Wales

2nd: Yarm Road Fish and Chips – Darlington, County Durham

3rd: The Fish Works – Largs, Scotland

Restaurant of the Year

1st: Knights Fish Restaurant - Glastonbury, Somerset

2nd: Pier Point Restaurant – Torquay, Devon

3rd: Noah’s - Bristol

Field to Frier

Bells Fish and Chips - Durham, County Durham

Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year

Jamie Russo from Redcloak Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Scotland

Newcomer of the Year

Redcloak Fish Bar - Stonehaven, Scotland

Employee of the Year

Jamie Toland – Taylors, Greater Manchester

Mobile Operator of the Year

Jojo’s Fish and Chips – Stafford, Staffordshire

Multiple Operator of the Year

Bells Fish and Chips - Durham, County Durham

Environment and Sustainability Award

Whiteheads Fish and Chips - Hornsea, East Yorkshire

Staff Training and Development Award

The Real Food Café - Tyndrum, Scotland

Marketing & Innovation Award

Zero Plus Fish & Chips – Cardiff, Wales

Quality Accreditation Champion

French's Fish Shop - Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Overseas Fish and Chip Shop

Wright’s Fish and Chips - Georgia, USA

Supplier of The Year Award

Ceres

Outstanding Achievement

Derek Dews, T.Quality

Speaking about the event, awards organiser and President of the National Federation of Fish Friers Andrew Crook said: “The National Fish and Chip Awards 2024 has been a remarkable experience to be part of. Our winners and finalists have put their all into making their fish and chip businesses stand-out for all the right reasons.

“It’s no secret that the sector has been hit hard by economic hardship, yet we have seen firsthand how chippies up and down the country, and overseas, are thinking fast on their feet to defy the odds without compromising on ethical standpoints, quality and most importantly, great tasting fish and chips.

“We are bursting with pride for our winners and other contenders. It’s a privilege to be able to support and encourage them further and they should all be proud of what they’ve achieved. Fish and chip teams rarely have a moment to pause but we hope everyone takes some time to enjoy the celebrations ahead of getting back to what they do best.”

Principal sponsor of the awards was Seafood from Norway and Victoria Braathen, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council commented: “A huge congratulations to all the winners of this year’s awards. What an incredible recognition of their commitment to bringing quality fish and chips to their communities across the country.

"We look forward to welcoming all of the winners to Norway to show them the journey of responsibly sourced Norwegian cod and haddock, from ocean to plate.”

Category winners have been invited to visit Norway in June for a once in a lifetime experience with Seafood from Norway.

The two-day study trip will take fish and chip shop teams on an unforgettable exploration of the Norwegian fishing industry, experiencing the cold, clear waters aboard the state-of-the-art longliner and Danish seine vessel, Østerfjord, to learn more about environmental and sustainable practices that ensure UK fish and chip shops are supplied with the freshest, highest quality produce.

They will also meet leading industry authorities and stakeholders to find out how fish stocks are sustained, as well as learning about frozen at sea white fish.