Things are looking sweet for potato masters at chip shops in Greater Manchester, Kent and Aberdeenshire, following the announcement that they are finalists in the Field to Frier category at the 2025 National Fish & Chip Awards.
Whether the preference is to dunk chips in ketchup, gravy, curry sauce or simply douse them in salt and vinegar, it requires outstanding ‘pro-fish-iency’ to ensure the final product can shine both on its own, as well as in a sea of condiments.
The Field to Frier award authenticates the great skill and precision in the selection of potatoes and the preparation and cooking to produce golden chips with an exquisite texture and flavour combo. Industry specialists have reviewed each competitor’s business in meticulous detail and the original shortlist of 10 has now been cut down to three, which are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the 2024 winner Bells Fish & Chips in County Durham.
The fish and chip shops which have their eyes on the prize and will be heading to the London awards ceremony on 26 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge are:
Greater Manchester
Taylors, Stockport
Kent
Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate
Aberdeenshire
Redcloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which organises the awards, says: “We are really impressed by and proud to present Taylors, Newington Fish Bar and Redcloak Fish Bar as the UK’s best in this year’s Field to Frier category. Each business has shown the utmost dedication to learning and refinement of their skills and techniques so potatoes can be showcased in their finest form as chips in a quick-service environment. We can’t wait to present one of them with the award in a couple months’ time!”
Isle of Ely Produce, sponsor of the Field to Frier category, is responsible for supplying over two million bags of potatoes into the fish and chip industry every year. It has been joined again this year as an award partner by the Agrico variety Babylon. Babylon is a relatively new variety that has been trialled at fish and chip shops across the UK with great success over the last few years.
Oliver Boutwood, director of Isle of Ely Produce, adds: “It is exciting to see three great shops reaching the top 3 of our Field to Frier sponsored award. We are passionate about supplying the best potatoes and look forward to working with our winner in 2025.”
Alex Moore, sales manager for Agrico, comments: “Agrico UK takes pride in developing varieties for the fish and chip market. Our latest chipping variety is Babylon which chip shops are giving the thumbs up to. We look forward to crowning the winner in February and sending the winner some Babylon to try in their shop.”
Tickets for the National Fish & Chip Awards are being ‘snapper-ed’ up fast. Get your tickets now from https://thefishandchipawards.com/event-tickets/.
For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.