Devon chippy passes gruelling tests to make top five in UK

A Torquay fish and chip restaurant has reached the final of a national award. Pier Point in Torquay is one of five venues from across the country in the National Fish and Chip Awards' Restaurant of the Year category.

It's up against fish and chip restaurants in County Durham, Gloucestershire, London, and Tyne and Wear, following months of gruelling tasks, interviews and inspections by industry specialists. At next year’s awards ceremony one will be crowned the best in the sector.

The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) organises the awards. They say that the comprehensive assessments entrants undertake are vital for unearthing where the opportunities are to set new benchmarks in the industry and to encourage bigger goal setting for those taking part.

Up next for the challengers is the mystery visits portion of the competition, which will be the decider for who will receive the distinguished title. The finalists - Pier Point; Bells Fish & Chips (Framwellgate Moor), Durham; Malt and Anchor, Cirencester; Toff’s of Muswell Hill (The Chesterford Group); and Trenchers Spanish City, Whitley Bay - will be heading to London where the winning restaurant will be announced on February 26 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

President of the National Federation of Fish Friers Andrew Crook says: “The choice available in the restaurant space means fish and chip operators must pull out all the stops to stand out and attract customers. We can safely say that we have found a group of business owners that are very accomplished in doing that and a whole lot more!

"Our finalists have such detailed focus on product refinement and skills honing that they are creating high-end fish and chips and dining experiences that can’t be denied. What a final Restaurant of the Year is going to be!”

The category is sponsored by the Q Partnership, three independent, family-owned businesses – Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck and V.A. Whitley – which supply the UK fish and chip industry with goods and services.

Luke Townsend, marketing manager at Friars Pride, comments: “A massive congratulations to the top five fish and chip restaurants! It is an amazing achievement to make it this far in the process, which has had many fantastic restaurants entering.

"These top five shops highlight the high standards and quality of fish and chips within the industry, as do the other entrants to the award. At Friars Pride we are proud to continue to support the National Fish and Chip Awards, and this year, along with the Q Partnership, we are delighted to be the sponsors of the Restaurant of the Year category.”

Georgina Colbeck, director at Henry Colbeck, is thrilled for the finalists: “High five to the top five fish and chip restaurants! Our precious industry deserves to receive all the great PR that will come from the National Fish & Chip Awards – and with these five worthy ambassadors in the spotlight for the finals, we’re in great hands! #ProudSponsors.”

For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com.