Following the latest round of judging, 10 businesses have been shortlisted for the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award, one of 15 categories in the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards.

The 10 shops, representing the best of the best of British fish and chips, will now compete in a final judging stage for this top accolade and aim to be crowned the nation’s number one shop.

Hailing from across the UK*, the 10 finalists in what are considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the fish and chip industry are:

• Cromars Classic Fish & Chips in St Andrews, Fife (Scotland)
• Penaluna's Famous Fish & Chips in Hirwaun, Rhonda Cynon Taff (Wales)
• The Dolphin Takeaway in Dungannon, County Tyrone (Northern Ireland)
• Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby, North Yorkshire (North East England)
• Fylde Fish Bar in Southport, Merseyside (North West England)
• The Golden Carp Chippy in Redditch, Worcestershire (Midlands)
• Burton Road Chippy in Lincoln, Lincolnshire (Eastern England)
• Henley's of Wivenhoe in Wivenhoe, Colchester (London & South East England)
• Captain’s Fish and Chips in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire (Central & Southern England)
• Harbourside Fish & Chips in Plymouth, Devon (South & West England)

To make this final stage of the competition, the 10 shops have had their frying skills put to the test as well as being assessed against a variety of judging criteria, including menu development and innovation, sustainable sourcing policies, staff training processes and marketing activity. Judges also made unannounced visits to shop premises to sample the fish and chips and level of customer service on offer and undertake full business audits.

The 10 regional winners will now progress to the final stage of judging to be held in London in January 2018. Facing a specialist judging panel they’ll be quizzed on a range of industry related topics and be required to demonstrate how they successfully run a profitable business and plan for future development.

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, said: “We Brits have had a love affair with fish and chips for well over a century, with the somewhat humble dish of white, flaky fish coated in crispy batter with a side of hot, fluffy chips now renowned as Britain’s national dish.

“For most of us, the love of fish and chips is much more than the food itself; it’s the nostalgic memories of seaside holidays with the family or Friday night suppers after a hard week that come to mind.

“With few being able to resist the mouth-watering combination, the awards ensure that high-quality standards are upheld so that future generations can enjoy our nation’s favourite takeaway. The skill and dedication of our 10 finalists this year is outstanding – they are a true representation of our industry and sum up perfectly why British fish and chips are, and will always be, the best in the world.”

Speaking of their success in last year’s awards, reigning champions Nikki Mutton and Craig Maw of Kingfisher Fish & Chips in Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, added: “We were absolutely elated when we won the title of best fish and chip shop as part of the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards. We’ve been so busy serving our brilliant customers that we’ve actually had to hire more than 10 new members of staff since winning the title in January.”

The 10 UK finalists will now go on an expenses paid study trip to Norway, courtesy of sponsors the Norwegian Seafood Council. Visiting the port city of Ålesund, finalists will witness the whole fishing process; from catch to processing and filleting, and have an opportunity to learn why Norway is one of the world’s most sustainable fishing nations.

The overall winner of the Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 30^th anniversary ceremony in London on 25 January 2018.

For more information visit www.fishandchipawards.com or follow @FishnChipAwards #FishnChipAwards.

*10 businesses are shortlisted across 10 judging regions: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, North East England, North West England, Midlands, Eastern England, London & South East England, Central & Southern England and South West England