National Fish & Chip Awards 2027: Entries Are Officially Open

The National Fish & Chip Awards 2027 have officially launched, and entries are open right now. The 39th edition of the competition was unveiled at Trenchers of Whitby, current Restaurant of the Year, in a fitting nod to the town widely regarded as the spiritual home of fish and chips.

Andrew Wilkinson, general manager of Trenchers, hosted the event alongside Andrew Crook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), who organise the awards. Also there were Gavin and Aman Dhesi of The Scrap Box in York, 2026’s Takeaway of the Year, sharing what winning meant for their business and their team.

Trenchers and The Scrap Box are both Florigo customers, so it was a proud moment to see them front and centre at the official launch of the industry’s biggest event.

How to Enter the National Fish and Chip Awards 2027

Entering is free, and it is open to takeaways, restaurants, mobile units and international operators across 16 categories, including the headline titles of Takeaway of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year. If you run a fish and chip business anywhere in the UK, or beyond, you are eligible to put yourself forward.

To enter, head to The Fish and Chip Awards and choose your categories. Finalists are judged through a mix of interviews, skills assessments and anonymous mystery visits, so the process rewards businesses that perform consistently, not just on a good day.

National Fish and Chip Awards 2026 Winners: A Big Year for Florigo Customers

Before looking ahead to 2027, it’s worth celebrating what a strong year 2026 was. Florigo equipment was behind the scenes for seven category wins, including:

• The Scrap Box, York – Takeaway of the Year & Marketing Initiative
• Trenchers of Whitby – Restaurant of the Year
• Donna Whitfield, Bells Fish & Chips (Durham) – Employee of the Year
• James Ellams, Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove (Chester) – Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year
• Bells Fish & Chips (Seaham) – Community Engagement
• Harrison’s Fish & Chip Co (Oxford) – Menu Innovation
• David Miller, Millers Fish & Chips – Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

Results like that come from teams who refine their processes day in, day out. We are proud to support so many of the businesses behind these wins, and even prouder to see them recognised on the industry’s biggest stage.

What Makes a Fish and Chip Shop Award-Winning?

Judges look beyond the food itself. Consistency, sustainability, customer service, staff development and community involvement all carry real weight in the judging process. The shops that go furthest tend to share a few habits:

• Consistent frying temperatures and reliable equipment
• Well-trained, motivated teams
• Clear sourcing and sustainability practices
• Strong customer relationships and community presence
• A menu that evolves without losing sight of the classics

None of this happens the week before judging. It is built gradually, over months and years, through steady investment in the kitchen and the people running it.

When Should You Start Preparing for the National Fish and Chip Awards?

Now. The businesses that go on to win rarely start preparing once entries open. They build consistency into their daily operations well in advance, so that when the judges arrive, whether announced or not, the standard is already there. That might mean a refit, extra training, or simply making sure your equipment is performing as reliably as your team.

Ready to Enter?

If your shop has been raising standards this year, now is the time to put that work in front of the judges. Visit The Fish and Chip Awards to view the full list of categories and get your entry in.

Congratulations again to everyone at the launch, and here’s to another year of great fish and chips across the UK.