A fish and chip shop in Brae, Shetland is celebrating after winning a national award sponsored by Isle of Ely Produce at the 2013 National Fish & Chip Awards organised by Seafish.
Frankie’s Fish & Chips, the most northerly chippie in the UK, won the inaugural From Field to Frier Award sponsored by Isle of Ely at a glittering ceremony in London on 24 January.
The potato merchant and producer, which has a trading operation in Bedfordshire and grows potatoes in Cambridgeshire, sponsored an award for the first time this year. Many of its potatoes are destined for fish and chip shops nationwide.
Entries to the awards were judged by a number of industry-expert judging panels comprising members of the National Federation of Fish Friers, the National Edible Oils Distributors Association and Seafish with a variety of independent industry players. Judging centred on the fish and chip shops’ knowledge of potato storage, preparation and frying.
John Boutwood Isle of Ely MD said “The national fish and chip awards are the Oscars of the fish and chip industry, to be a sponsor was an honour and is a way to show our commitment to our customers. With this new award we are highlighting the importance of the journey the potato takes, from the farmer to the fryer.”
The event was hosted by impressionist Rory Bremner. Austen Dack Isle of Ely marketing officer said: “The awards were a culmination of a year’s hard work, and to represent farming – and the potato – at an event usually dominated by fish was a great success.”
