This Leeds fish and chip shop just made the UK’s Top 10 list - and it hopes to batter the competition
A Leeds fish and chip shop owner is hoping to batter the competition after being shortlisted in the top ten chippies in the UK.
The Fish Bank, in Sherburn in Elmet, has made the shortlist for the Takeaway of the Year finals from the acclaimed National Fish & Chip Awards.
The awards are the cornerstone event for the UK fish and chip trade, which acknowledges and rewards the outstanding brilliance of businesses and individuals serving the beloved British dish.
The annual ceremony is created by the industry for the industry and is proudly organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which sets the bar for integrity, quality and performance.
A series of assessments, interviews and inspections overseen by industry leaders have determined which chippies are some of the biggest fish when it comes to product insight, sector knowledge, business best practice and focussing on sustainability.
Owner Jonathan France, who opened the chippy in 2018, told the Yorkshire Evening Post earlier this year that the spot is renowned for its top quality food.
The Fish Bank has been a regular feature at the National Fish and Chip Awards in recent years.
He told the YEP earlier this year: “We’ve got a really good, modern looking shop but it’s mainly because we focus on the star of the show, the fish and chips.
“What everyone wants is crispy, thin batter and the fish has got to be white and fresh, with traditional chips in beef dripping, and that’s what we aim for by focussing on fish and chips to be the main thing.”
As the competition reaches its final stages, entrants will face an unannounced visit by an industry specialist, as well as taking part in an in-depth interview with a panel of respected judges from across the trade. This will decide the two runners-up and the overall winner.
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, share his thoughts on this year’s contenders: “The 38th instalment of the National Fish & Chip Awards is one of the most amazing competitions we’ve had the pleasure of running.
“The industry is filled with many incredible fish and chip shops and there’s a smaller group within that which operate at a highly advanced level, and we have the honour of paying tribute to 10 of them in the Takeaway of Year final.
“Fish and chips is a national treasure, and the skill, passion, resilience and desire to serve communities with the best food shown by the takeaways we’ve announced today is a great representation of what makes our industry so special.”
The awards will take place on February 25 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.