- Ryan Hughes runs Ship Deck, in Caerphilly, south Wales, with partner Kimberley
- The best restaurant was unveiled as Knights Fish Restaurant in Glastonbury
Most people around Britain have their go-to fish and chip shop, a haven of deliciousness to retreat to on a lazy Friday.
And for many, their local is the best there is – the number one stop for a fish supper.
But today, an outlet run by a businessman who has been in the trade since he was 15 was crowned Britain’s best fish and shop takeaway.
Ryan Hughes runs Ship Deck, in Caerphilly, south Wales, with his partner Kimberley, who he describes as the ‘bread and butter’ of the business.
Punters can pick up a regular cod for £6.90, whilst a medium portion of chips costs £2.45.
Ship Deck pipped Yarm Road Fish and Chips – famed for their secret batter recipe – in Darlington to top spot, whilst the Fish Works in Largs, Scotland, who are known for their fish finger butties, came third.
The top takeaways were unveiled in a glitzy awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London this afternoon.
The best restaurant was unveiled as Knights Fish Restaurant in Glastonbury, Somerset.
After secret taste tests carried out across the UK, the National Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF) chose the winners from its final list of ten takeaways and five restaurants.
The National Fish and Chip Awards’ judging panel of ‘a-fish-onados’ assessed the chippies not just on their food, but also their commitment to environmental sustainability, their product knowledge and their responsibilities as employers.
TAKEAWAYS: THE BEST THREE OUTLETS
1. Ship Deck, Caerphilly, Wales
Regular cod £6.90 / Regular chips £2.45
Partners Ryan and Kimberly Hughes opened Ship Deck four years ago after working in various chip shops in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Mr Hughes won Young Fish Frier of the Year in 2019. He has been in the industry since the age of 15 and is described by his wife as the ‘bread and butter’ of the business.
Reviews praise Ship Deck for its ‘excellent service and exceptionally good food’ as well as ‘plentiful’ portion sizes and good value for money.
2. Yarm Road Fish and Chips, Darlington
Regular cod £5.80 / Regular chips £2.20
Yarm Road Fish and Chips has been pleasing the people of Darlington for 16 years with a number of tasty treats as well as its secret ingredient, crispy batter.
Owner Will Burrell, 28, told MailOnline today: ‘I’m as surprised as the next man but we worked really hard for it.
‘Consistency is a big thing for us. Our staff are amazing, they turn up day in and day out and put out the best fish and chips possible.
‘Customers know exactly what they’re going to get when they come into Yarm Road.
‘Over the past few years some companies have profiteered but we wanted to remain as an affordable takeaway so it’s accessible.
‘That’s what fish and chips has always been about. Your local chippy has always been the cornerstone of the community and everyone rallies around it.
‘That’s what we try to maintain.
‘It’s the first year we have entered. We’ve always known about the awards but we really wanted to wait until we were settled to enter.
‘Getting in the top 40 was the aim but to get to second is incredible.
‘We’re in very good company. A lot of shops that are in the top ten have been there before so even to be mentioned alongside them is overwhelming.
‘It’s a really big deal.
‘You always go into the awards wanting to win but when you see the others you think ‘these guys know what they’re doing’.’
The fish and chip shop has stood proudly in the community for seven years but Mr Burrell said he learned the trade through his parents, who owned a chippy throughout his childhood.
The Darlington businessman also spoke of what makes the perfect fish and chips.
He added: ‘The secret ingredient is never cutting corners on quality. We always buy the very best produce.
‘We’ve always used frozen at sea cod which is as fresh as it can possibly be.
‘It’s caught in Icelandic waters and it’s frozen immediately which locks in the flavor.
‘We have the absolute best staff that we can have.
‘The team we have got we couldn’t speak more highly of them. They work hard, they’re loyal and we couldn’t do it without them.
‘The biggest thank you goes to them.’
Feedback on the chippy’s website from customers shows this spot is certainly worth shouting about.
One said: ‘Excellent fish and chips every time from a spotless shop with friendly efficient service. Some chippies are up and down on quality but you can always rely on getting good fish and chips here.’
Another commented: ‘Delicious fish and chips, freshly cooked to order, best we’ve had in the area for a long time, really friendly service, highly recommended’.
3. The Fish Works – Largs, Scotland
Single cod £6.50 / Chips £2.50
Perched on the west coast of Scotland, the Fish Works is run by husband and wife team Ross and Tiffany Irvin, Largs locals who have worked in food for over 40 years.
Alongside traditional haddock and chips, the Irvins offer langoustine tails, calamari, seasonal fish from Peterhead Harbour and – yes – fish finger butties, for those who fancy a nostalgic snack.
Guests say it is ‘the best chippy in town’, with one noting: ‘The whole Fishworks experience is one of excellence.’
TAKEAWAYS: THE SEVEN WHO MISSED OUT
Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough, Bridlington, Yorkshire
Regular cod £7.90 / Small chips £2.60
This family-owned fish and chip shop on the high street in Flamborough serves triple cooked chips and good quality fish, as well as homemade curry sauce and naturally prepared mushy peas.
They also cater for vegan and gluten free customers with vegan pies, saveloys, halloumi and falafel. It also serves cod and hake as well as fish cakes and fish butties.
One customer said they stumbled across the restaurant and were impressed by the ‘super friendly staff’ and signs saying where the fish came from.
The Fish Bank, Sherburn in Elmet, Yorkshire
Regular haddock £6.00 / Regular chips £3.00
Located in a former bank in the heart of Sherburn in Elmet’s Low Street, The Fish Bank is a family-owned chippy which serves certified sustainable fish, locally-sourced potatoes and breadcakes, homemade fish cakes and other delicious treats.
Its customers say ‘the fish is beautifully cooked and very fresh and the portions are very good’.
Auckley Friery, Doncaster
Medium cod £8.50 / Medium chips £3.45
Auckley Friery has been run by second-generation fish fryer David Nicolaou since 2003.
His father Theo opened a fish and chip shop in Sheffield named the Friery in 1979 – and so the younger Mr Nicolaou grew up around the industry.
After a brief career in software engineering, Mr Nicolaou took over the shop to get it back up and running after its previous owner ‘let things slip’. He has been running it ever since.
It prides itself on sustainable produce – even growing its own herbs for its tartare sauce.
Mister C’s, Selby, Yorkshire
Regular cod £5.60 / Chips £2.65
Mister C’s a family-run business that has used the same batter recipe since it opened in 1981.
The quality of the fry at Mr C’s is well-renowned, with the institution finishing in the top ten of the National Fish & Chip Awards in 2019.
Finneys Fish & Chips, Benllech, Wales
Regular cod £6.60 / Regular chips £2.70
Founded in 2009 with a goal of providing a ‘quality fish and chip experience to enjoy’ by the Welsh coast, Finneys says its staff have a combined 75 years of experience in the food industry.
Uniquely, the batter it uses throughout all of its products is ‘unnoticeably gluten free’ – meaning even more people can enjoy its fishy delights, from Icelandic cod to steak burgers and southern fried chicken.
One customer noted: ‘Great place for G.F. (gluten free) food. My sister has a wheat intolerance,so therefore it is hard to find take away food she can eat.’
Zero Plus Fish & Chips, Cardiff
Cod £5.00 / Regular chips £2.50
Located close to Cardiff city centre, Zero Plus is known in the local community for its outreach efforts – recently getting local kids to bury a time capsule under the floor as part of a recent refurbishment.
But regulars also love the food – with one saying the 20 minute walk from the city centre is worth ‘every bite’, adding: ‘Indescribably fine chips, monstrous cod; even the breadcrumbed cardboard-and-sawdust taste you ordinarily experience biting into a fishcake is turned into a culinary delight here.’
Marina Fish & Chips, Skegness, Lincolnshire
Cod £5.99 / Regular chips £2.60
Marina Fish and Chips, based in Chapel St. Leonards, is located in an idyllic seaside spot, making it the perfect pit stop after a walk along the beach.
Beyond producing award-winning meals, Marina should also be commended for its commitment to environmental sustainability, which sees it use bio-degradable boxes made from sugar cane, recyclable card boxes and classic paper bags.
RESTAURANTS: THE BEST THREE OUTLETS
1. Knights Fish Restaurant, Glastonbury, Somerset
Regular cod £10.90 (includes chips)
Although it opened its doors in 1909, Knights Fish Restaurant in Glastonbury, Somerset, has its origins in the 19th century.
In 1895, Elizabeth Hockey began selling fried fish from her home address.
She later teamed up with neighbour Louisa Philis, who eventually became the sole proprietor.
Louisa’s daughter Louie inherited the business after her mother’s death. Her husband, Frank Knight, later gave his name to the venue.
2. Pier Point, Torquay, Devon
Regular cod £20.95 (includes chips)
Pier Point in Torquay, Devon, has proved hugely popular since opening its doors five years ago.
They say on their website: ‘We believe when it comes to providing good, quality food, there can be no compromise.
‘Which is why we are committed to using only the best ingredients, whilst maintaining competitive prices.
‘We want our customers to be confident when eating with us, they are eating quality produce every time.’
3. Noah’s, Bristol
Regular cod £12.95 (includes chips)
Noah’s in Bristol sources its seafood from boats on the south coast of England and the west coast of Scotland.
The restaurant say they are committed to sustainability and ‘champion a regenerative approach to fishing using low impact methods.’
TAKEAWAYS: THE TWO WHO MISSED OUT
Eric’s Fish and Chips, Hunstanton, Norfolk
Regular cod £11 / Regular chips £3.95
Eric’s Fish and Chips – run by Eric Snaith and his wife Lydia – opened its doors in 2015.
Since the first site opened in Hunstanton, Norfolk, the business has expanded to encompass a further two outlets in Cambridgeshire.
According to the firm’s website, Mr Snaith began his career working in the kitchen of his family’s hotel at the age of 15.
After working in various kitchens around the world, he returned to Britain to become head chef at the award-winning Titchwell Manor, a 26-room boutique hotel.
In 2020 Mr Snaith opened a pizza outlet and takeaway next door to his fish and chip shop in Hunstanton.
Malt and Anchor, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Regular cod £17.90 / Regular chips £4.50
Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, Malt & Anchor is already award-winning.
The outlet offers a traditional ‘chippy’ menu alongside specialties that include panko coated calamari and locally-sourced pies.
The restaurant also serves an array of fine wines, cocktails and craft beers.
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Harry Howard
