We are very pleased to confirm that the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year competition is back again for the 2025 National Fish & Chip Awards.

This competition was originally conceived back in 1995 by Drywite Directors Kelvin Lee and Briar Wilkinson in memory of their late father Malcolm Lee who had been associated with Fish Frying for over sixty years.

Having started his career as a potato boy in a fish and chip shop age 14, Malcolm Lee always believed that the future of the fish & chip trade depended on young people and encouraging young people to recognise Fish & Chips as a worthwhile profession, not just a job, would also encourage young people through the door as customers.

One of the competition’s main goals was always to demonstrate just how worthwhile a career in fish frying can be for young people and previous winners over the years have certainly proved this, often by going on to win even higher accolades.

The judges aren’t necessarily looking for the very best shop, but they will be looking for that special quality that says, “This young person will use their success to achieve great things for the industry”. Of course, in rare cases, the winner might have already created one of the best shops in the Country, although usually they are simply working in one or possibly on their way to creating their own by breathing new life into an old shop.

As always, Drywite Ltd are grateful to chief judge Mark Drummond and to NFFF for organising the 2025 National Fish & Chip Awards and we look forward to seeing who lifts the Malcolm Lee Trophy and is crowned Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year 2025.

Are you a young fish frier aged 18-25?

Visit: thefishandchipawards.com to enter.

Entries close 17th September

Candidates must be over 18 years of age with a minimum 6 months frying experience but not have had their 26th birthday by the closing date of 17th September. The shop where the candidate works must have a minimum rating of 4 in the FHRS (or equivalent in other devolved countries)