UK Edition
Britain's best fish and chip shops revealed
A fish and chip shop with "the world’s most sustainable seafood menu" has been named the best chippy in Britain.
Kingfisher Fish & Chips in Plymouth was awarded the title of Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year at the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards, besting nine other restaurants from around the UK.
Shop owners Nikki Mutton and Craig Maw took over ownership of Kingfisher in 2012, making significant changes as they tried to develop a fresh approach to the traditional British favourite. Commenting on their award, the duo said: "We are absolutely elated! We've entered this award three times now, coming second last year, so to go all the way is amazing – I guess three really is a charm.
"We've only owned the shop for four years and have already achieved some amazing things; we have the world's most sustainable seafood menu, are one of only two fish and chip businesses in the UK to have a 3 star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, along with over 25 industry and non-industry awards, but I have to admit that winning this award is the pinnacle of our careers."
Kingfisher offer 12 Marine Stewardship Council certified fish species, including Jersey lobster, hoki, and salmon goujons as well as the more traditional fishes. It also makes use of QR codes so customers can trace the journey of their fish from the sea to their plate.
To win the award, Kingfisher went through a rigorous seven month judging period where they were subject to mystery shopping assessments, in-depth audits by industry experts, and thorough inspections of the customer service levels and the quality of fish and chips served.
Ben Bartlett, Master Craftsman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, and a member of this year’s final judging panel, said: "This year was definitely Kingfisher’s year – they stood out immediately for their extensive knowledge and experience, robust sourcing policies, forward-thinking approach, and continual business growth.
"With inspiring passion, they are consistently looking to improve their offering and strive for perfection – making them extremely worthy winners and the perfect ambassadors for the fish and chip industry."
Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, the organisers of the awards, added: "The aim of the National Fish & Chip Awards has always been to showcase the very best fish and chip businesses and individuals in the UK while setting incredibly high standards for the industry.
"Every year Seafish sees new and more established talent vie for the top title. The judging process is extremely challenging with shops thoroughly being put through their paces, but this year, it was Kingfisher’s boundless enthusiasm and commitment that made them stand out as a clear winner.
“We wish them all the best as they begin their journey as the UK’s top shop, but also thank them for helping us to reinforce the UK’s reputation as the home of the world’s best fish and chips."
Second place in the awards went to Burton Road Chippy in Lincolnshire, winner of the Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year Award in 2015. In third place was North Yorkshire's Millers Fish & Chips.
Top 10 Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award's
First place
Kingfisher Fish and Chips, Plympton, Plymouth
Second place
Burton Road Chippy, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Third place
Millers Fish & Chips, Haxby, North Yorkshire
Regional winners
- Fochabers Fish Bar, Fochabers, Moray (Scotland)
- Hennighan's Top Shop, Machynlleth, Powys (Wales)
- The Dolphin Takeaway, Dungannon, County Tyrone (Northern Ireland)
- Millers Fish & Chips, Haxby, North Yorkshire (North East England)
- Hodgson's Chippy, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West England)
- Oldswinford Fish & Chips, Dudley, Stourbridge (Midlands)
- Burton Road Chippy, Lincoln, Lincolnshire (Eastern England)
- Henley's of Wivenhoe, Wivenhoe, Colchester (London & South East England)
- Godfrey's Fish and Chips, Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Central and South England)
- Kingfisher Fish and Chips, Plympton, Plymouth (South West England)
Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year Award
Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Cornwall
Best Mobile Fish and Chip Operator Award
The Hip Hop Chip Shop, Salford, Manchester
From Field to Frier Award
Krispies, Exmouth, Devon
Best Foodservice Operator Award
Fish! Kitchen, outlets in Borough Market and Kingston upon Thames in London
Good Catch – The Sustainable Seafood Award
Rockfish, Devon
Healthy Eating ‘Fish and Chips’ Award
Towngate Fisheries, Bradford, West Yorkshire
Marketing Innovation Award
Papa's, Hull, East Yorkshire
Best Multiple Fish and Chip Operator Award
Rockfish, Devon
Best Newcomer Award
Longsands Fish Kitchen, Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
NFFF Quality Award Champion Award
Fochabers Fish Bar, Fochabers, Morayshire
Staff Training and Development Award
John Dory's, Lisburn, County Antrim
Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award
George Papadamou of Papa’s, Willerby, Hull, East Yorkshire
The Award for Outstanding Achievement
Michael Pili, runs the Midlands Seafish Industry Training Association