THE RESULTS ARE FIN: WALES’ TOP FISH AND CHIP SHOPS ANNOUNCED

THE RESULTS ARE FIN: WALES’ TOP FISH AND CHIP SHOPS ANNOUNCED

 Wales’ top fish and chip shops have been revealed today (August 27). These shops are semi-finalists in the running for the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award, the flagship category in the 2020 National Fish & Chip Awards. Organised by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry, The National Fish & Chip Awards are the UK’s premier awards for fish and chips businesses.

The top fish and chip shops in Wales are:

•  Hiks, Swansea, West Glamorgan
• HOOKED@31, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire

 View the UK top 20 shortlist here: http://www.fishisthedish.co.uk/win/national-fish-chip-awards

Fish and chips is the healthiest of the traditional takeaways providing an excellent source of protein, along with carbohydrate and many essential vitamins and minerals. The awards recognise outstanding businesses across the country that are serving incredible fish and chips and providing excellent customer service. Shortlisted businesses have gone above and beyond to secure their place in this stage of the competition and showcase the nation’s favourite takeaway dish.

It’s not just about food quality, there are a wide variety of additional factors that make these businesses outstanding, including:

• • • Excellence in the sustainable sourcing of key ingredients
    • Staff training and development policies and career opportunities for young people
    • Creation of innovative menu options for those with allergies and dietary requirements

There are a number of rigorous judging stages to overcome en route to being named the best fish and chip shop in the UK, including mystery shopper judging visits and full business performance audits of premises, followed by presentations to an industry judging panel. The Top 20 shops will next enter a draw process to determine who they will each compete against in the next round of judging in order to determine which ten shops will progress to the competition final. The judging draw will take place at 11am on Tuesday 27 August 2019 at the premises of last year’s competition winners, Krispies Fish and Chips, Exmouth, Devon.

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive Officer at Seafish, said: “Fish and chips is the healthiest of the traditional takeaways, and we’re pleased to say that the quality on offer across the UK is just as healthy, if not more so, than it was when we launched these awards 32 years ago. It’s not easy to break in to the Top 20, so every one of these businesses should be celebrating today.

“Our judges really do scrutinise every aspect of running a fish and chip business, so reaching this stage is a real achievement. If you see your local shop on the list, get down there tonight and show your support. Best of luck to all of them in the next round.”

A portion of fish and chips can also contribute towards one of the recommended five a day portions of fruit and vegetables if mushy peas are included. It can also be one of the recommended two portions of fish a week that we should all be eating as part of balanced diet. Fish and chip shops cater to a diverse range of lifestyle and health choices with small portions, gluten free options and various types of fish widely available. Innovation is key for many businesses, with fish and chip shops constantly evolving and adding options.

The winner of the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 32^nd anniversary awards ceremony in London on 23 January 2020.

For more information follow @fishisthedish #FishnChipAwards.

20 businesses are shortlisted across 10 judging regions: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, North East England, North West England, Midlands, Eastern England, London & South East England, Central & Southern England and South & West England.