Young ‘Frying’ Squad Competes for Prestigious Drywite Title at National Fish & Chip Awards
The next generation of exceptional fish and chip professionals is making waves as the finalists for the National Fish & Chip Awards gear up to compete for the coveted Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year title. This year, five impressive young friers from across the UK have been selected to showcase their skills in a race to take home the prestigious accolade.
Anticipation Builds for the 27th Annual Awards
The winner of the 27th edition of this esteemed competition will be announced at a grand ceremony in February. Known for setting benchmarks in industry standards, the awards recognize friers under the age of 25 with a minimum of six months’ experience managing frying ranges independently.
Challenging Tasks and Expert Evaluation
These young professionals have navigated intense live demonstrations and interviews, demonstrating their profound understanding of the fish and chip cooking process. From selecting the right oils to understanding potato varieties and perfecting fish portioning techniques, the finalists have worked tirelessly to excel at every stage, embracing feedback and honing their craft.
Meet the Talented Finalists
The five talented friers, poised to succeed last year’s champion, Glen Morrison from Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland, are:
- Abigail Barker – Millers Fish and Chips, Haxby, Yorkshire
- Kieran Bulpit – Donington Fish and Chips, Spalding, Lincolnshire
- James Ellams – Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove, Chester, Cheshire
- Charlie James – Pier Point, Torquay, Devon
- Jack Spencer – Queens Drive Fish & Chips, Ossett, Yorkshire
Insights from Industry Leaders
The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year competition, launched over 30 years ago, continues to highlight the exceptional talent within the fish and chip sector. Kelvin Lee, managing director of Drywite Ltd, expressed his admiration for the rising stars: “Since its inception in 1995, the competition has showcased the high level of skill among young professionals in our industry. This year’s judges faced a challenging task selecting the best from such a talented group.”
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), echoed this sentiment, praising the contestants’ confidence and maturity. “Their ability to thrive under pressure has been impressive, and it’s inspiring to see them support one another, demonstrating leadership and integrity even in competition.”
Crowning the Champion
The winner of the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award will be revealed on February 25 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London. For those wishing to participate in the festivities, tickets can be purchased at the following link: Event Tickets.
Conclusion
For more information about the National Fish & Chip Awards, visit www.thefishandchipawards.com. The future of the fish and chip industry looks bright with these emerging talents ready to take the helm.
Image credit: Garioch Fish Bar
