Anstruther Fish Bar, in Fife, Scotland has won MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year in the sustainable seafood organisation’s annual awards ceremony.
The fish and chip shop, which became the world’s first MSC certified chippy in 2009, was honoured for being a trailblazer in the UK with many restaurants going on to follow in their footsteps. They celebrated 12 years of serving sustainable seafood after getting recertified in March this year.
The MSC UK annual awards, now in their 8th year, were streamed for a second-year running from the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth on October 7, 2021.
Direct Seafoods won Fresh Fish Foodservice Supplier of the Year while Brakes and M&J scooped Foodservice Wholesaler of the Year.
Alison Smith, from Anstruther Fish Bar, said: “We are so thrilled to be named as MSC Foodservice Champion for 2021 at the MSC UK Awards. Anstruther Fish Bar was the first ever MSC certified fish and chip shop in the UK and we have now been certified for 12 years. It’s a real honour to be recognised for our ongoing commitment to ensuring fish and chips for future generations. We will continue to put sustainability at the heart of our business.”
Loren Hiller, MSC UK &Ireland Commercial Manager, said: “Congratulations to Anstruther Fish Bar for this very well-deserved award. MSC certified fish and chip shops play a vital role in educating their customers and in ensuring every Fish Friday is a sustainable one. Anstruther are fantastic representatives, not just for the industry, but consumers too. By using the blue MSC ecolabel on their menu, they are not only helping customers identify sustainable fish and seafood, but also recognising and rewarding efforts made by fishermen to ensure our oceans remain healthy. Congratulations!
The winners’ award was designed and manufactured using 3D printing by Cornish-based J Supplied 3D. It will be made in collaboration with Fishy Filaments, who recycle fishing nets from the MSC certified hake fishery in Cornwall into engineering grade nylon filament. Fishy Filaments’ innovative harbour-side recycling technology was invented in Cornwall and saves about 98% of carbon emissions when compared to using equivalent virgin material. MSC will be unveiling the unique awards on the day in October, which will be designed by local artist Charlotte Dawe.
MSC UK ambassador, acclaimed restaurateur, chef and author, Mitch Tonks, was on the expert judging panel along with CJ Jackson, chief executive of Billingsgate Seafood School, Marcus Coleman chief executive of Seafish and Dr Eleanor Adamson, Fisheries Programme Manager at the Fishmongers’ Company.
The full list of Award winners for 2021 is as follows:
MSC UK Fish Counter of the Year
Waitrose & Partners
MSC UK Fisher of the Year (*New Category*)
Tom Russell, Poole Harbour clam and cockle fishery
MSC UK Foodservice Champion of the Year
Anstruther Fish Bar
MSC UK Foodservice Wholesaler of the Year
Brakes and M&J
MSC UK Fresh Fish Foodservice Supplier of the Year
Direct Seafoods
MSC UK Frozen Brand of the Year
Birds Eye
MSC UK Marketing Champion of the Year
Sainsbury’s
MSC UK Mid-size Store Retailer of the Year
Lidl
MSC UK Newcomer of the Year
Ella’s Kitchen
MSC UK Ocean Hero
Cornish Hake
MSC UK Pet Food Brand of the Year (*New Category*)
Woofs
MSC UK Product of the Year (*New Category*)
Waitrose No1 Yellowfin Tuna
MSC UK Retail Supplier of the Year
New England Seafood International
MSC UK Social Media Hero of the Year (*New Category*)
Co-op
MSC UK Supermarket of the Year
Tesco
*Guest Award Category*
ASC UK Retailer of the Year
Lidl