Britain's Best Chippies: Top 15 Chip Shops are Revealed in National Fish and Chip Awards 2020
A local chippy that serves oysters, whole lobster and a host of fine wines has been crowned Britain's best fish and chip shop.
The Cod's Scallops in Wollaton, Nottingham, has picked up the most coveted prize at the National Fish & Chip Awards, an annual event that celebrates the best practitioners of one of the UK's most beloved dishes.
Owned by the husband and wife team of John and Helen Molnar, the award-winning chippy boasts a range of shellfish and pies, while also offering punters barista-style coffees and seaside-inspired cocktails.
The East Midlands eatery serves a variety of fish and shellfish each day - depending on what comes off their very own boats - with its website proudly declaring: 'Our fish is so fresh, tomorrow's tea is still in the sea!'
Hailing from across the country, entrants to Seafish's National Fish & Chip Awards are judged over eight months on sustainability, menu innovation, catering for special dietary requirements and customer service.
The top accolade was one of 16 awards presented to chippies during a ceremony in London today, including best newcomer, best young fish fryer and outstanding achievement in the industry.
Below is the list of the 16 different winners:
Fish and Chip Shop of the Year: The Cod's Scallops in Wollaton, Nottingham
The finalists are competing for 'Fish and Chip Shop of the Year' title. Pictured: The Cod's Scallops in Wollaton, Nottingham
Time to tuck in! Employees of the Cods Scallops sit down to enjoy their fish and chips after a hard day's work at the venue
The Cod's Scallops in Nottingham has tried to mix a traditional chippy feel with that of a boutique restaurant (pictured above)
The Cod's Scallops in Wollaton, Nottingham, battered its way to victory to claim the most coveted prize of Fish and Chip Shop of the Year.
The eatery was established in 2011 by John Molnar, who had 30 years of chef experience to his name, alongside his wife Helen.
Mr Molnar said: 'I wanted to showcase and serve up the best fish being caught around our isles in a fun and family-friendly environment.'
A traditional serving of cod and chips will set diners back £9.90 - but the menu also includes specialties such as cockles, whelks, oysters and squid to name just a few.
An abundance of dessert options, including chocolate orange and marmalade brownie, fruit crumble and sticky toffee pudding, also makes The Cod's Scallops a firm favourite with hungry diners.
If that wasn't enough, the chip shop comes with a more boutique twist by offering punters barista-style coffees and seaside-inspired cocktails.
Best Fish and Chip Restaurant Award: Trenchers in Spanish City, Whitley Bay
Trenchers in Spanish City, Whitley Bay, was awarded the accolade of Best Fish and Chip Restaurant.
Diners at the spacious restaurant, which was established in 1980, can enjoy their meal accompanied by the serenades of a pianist playing on selected days.
It has become a firm favourite in the area - so much so that visitors are even advised to book a table in advance if they are hoping to enjoy a meal there.
But a large portion of cod and chips will cost a hefty £13.95.
And the luxurious setting is also only open Wednesday to Sunday, according to its official website.
The last sitting for dinner is at 9pm.
The Best Newcomer Award was handed to Lewis's Fish & Grill in Maidstone, Kent.
The family-owned eatery is run and managed by brothers Gavin and Craig Lewis who have made sustainable sourcing their goal.
Their website boasts: 'We use sustainably sourced, hook and line caught fish where possible.
'We believe that it is important to look after our seas and oceans for future generations.'
A large cod here would only set you back £5.90.
The establishment is even listed on Deliveroo and JustEat - making it easy for customers to get their fish-and-chip fix delivered straight to their door.
NFFF Quality Award Champion: The Real Food Café in Tydrum, Stirlingshire
National Federation of Fish Fryers Quality Award Champion: The Real Food Café in Tydrum, Stirlingshire
The Real Food Café in Tydrum, Stirlingshire, earned itself the title of National Federation of Fish Fryers Quality Award Champion.
The fish and chip shop, which is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary, has a keen focus on making a difference to the community - whether that is by reducing its carbon footprint or hosting local fundraisers.
They offer a Fish Tea Deal which includes a large fish and chips, mushy peas, tartare sauce, white roll or brown bread and a cup of tea or coffee all for £13.75.
Lonely Planet Guide gave a recent review of the eatery that read: 'Hungry hill walkers throng the tables in this justifiably popular cafe.
'The menu looks familiar – fish and chips, soups, salads and burgers – but the owners make an effort to source sustainably and locally, and the quality shines through.'
Best Seafood Week Campaign Award: Penaluna's Famous Fish & Chips in Hirwaun, South Wales
Penaluna's Famous Fish & Chips in Hirwaun, South Wales, boasts the strap-line: 'Bringing a taste of the ocean to the Brecon Beacons'.
It managed to scoop the award for the Best Seafood Week Campaign - an annual eight-day drive aimed at getting people to eat more fish, more often.
A large cod to takeaway will only cost £5.60 and Penaluna's mobile catering unit can even be hired to attend big events.
The eatery has also successfully bagged four stars on the popular review site TripAdvisor.
Best Foodservice Operator Award: Mary Lambert Artisan Bakery in Hartlepool, County Durham
Best Foodservice Operator Award: Mary Lambert Artisan Bakery in Hartlepool, County Durham
Mary Lambert Artisan Bakery in Hartlepool, County Durham, successfully achieved the Best Foodservice Operator Award at this year's ceremony.
The establishment boasts more than 58 years of bakehouse experience that has helped the bakery master the artisanal craft.
It specialises in savoury mince pies, chia rolls and Florentines to name just a few.
But another string to its bow is its fish and chip offerings that saw it awarded Fish Shop of the Year in 2016 and 2018.
Menu Development and Innovation Award: Fish City Belfast, Belfast
The accolade of Menu Development and Innovation was given to Fish City in Belfast.
The family-owned business was established in 2013 and it had won the 'Seafish' Regional Fish and Chip Shop award within just two years.
A large fresh cod costs sit-in customers £15.75.
But the menu also boasts a whole host of other seafood dishes including fisherman's curry, seafood linguine and burgers.
Marketing Innovation Award: Shap Chippy in Shap, Cumbria
Shap Chippy in Shap, Cumbria, achieved the award for Marketing Innovation.
It is owned and run by Ashley, who is a trained fishmonger, alongside Matt.
The pair ensure that all their fish is sourced in the North Atlantic's cold waters or the icy Icelandic seas.
Customers pay £6.60 for a large cod but a lunchtime special - comprising of small cod and chips, mushy peas, a bread roll and a drink - is available for £8.50.
The fish and chip restaurant has recently branched out into producing its own range of 'Shapple Juice' using apples that are grown just three miles from the shop.
From Field to Frier Award and Good Catch Award: Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Upton, Chester
Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Upton, Chester successfully netted both the From Field to Frier and the Good Catch Award.
The restaurant is owned by potato merchant Richard Foster and his wife Josette who claim to provide good, old-fashioned British fish and chips to the area.
The eatery, which is open Tuesday to Saturday, sells its extra large cod - weighing in at between 12 and 14 ounces - for £9.30.
It claims that 'award-winning fish and chips don't have to cost the earth', according to the eatery's official website.
Last year Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove was also named Best Newcomer.
Staff Training and Development Award: The Wetherby Whaler in Yorkshire
The Wetherby Whaler in Yorkshire was recognised for its efforts toward staff training and development.
The 150-seater restaurant and takeaway was purpose built in 1996.
It is part of The Wetherby Whaler chain which was founded by Phillip and Janine Murphy in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, in 1969.
The business itself now employs 220 full and part time staff across its five branches which serve more than 750,000 portions of haddock every year.
Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year: Charlie Collins, Frydales in Leicester, Leicestershire
The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award was given to Charlie Collins from Frydales in Leicester.
The 24-year-old entrepreneur, who had been nominated twice before, manages two fish and chip shops.
The first is an express-style shop attached to a petrol station but the second has more of a community focus.
Charlie has worked at the Frydales store in Leicester for eight years and had been the manager for five.
He has so far managed to double the turnover during his time at the helm and the store now serves more than 1,400 portions of fish and chips every week.
A meal of cod and chips will cost hungry customers just £7.00.
Best Mobile Operator Award: The English Indian in Lichfield, Staffordshire
The English Indian in Lichfield, Staffordshire, have been given the Best Mobile Operator Award.
The eatery is owned by James Lant and his partner Anna Riley.
It was born out of the couple's love for food and India before they decided to combine the two.
Their signature dishes include cod goujons coated in a spiced pakora batter as well as lamb kati rolls.
The mobile catering car can often be seen at food markets such as Digbeth Dining Club in Birmingham.
Best Multiple Operator Award: Sutton & Sons in Stoke Newington, North London
Sutton & Sons in Stoke Newington, North London won the Best Multiple Operator Award during this year's ceremony.
The family-owned restaurants, which have now been trading for almost 20 years, claim to 'combine the best traditional foods with a modern attention to detail'.
A portion of large cod and chips will cost £10.50 across all three of the restaurants.
The other locations for the sites include Islington and Hackney Central.
Seasonal UK Seafood Award: Something Else Fishy in Milborne Port, Sherborne
The prize for Seasonal UK Seafood went to Something Else Fishy based in Milborne Port, Sherborne.
The traditional fish and chip outlet is run by husband and wife team Martyn and Nicki Else who have both been fishmongers for 10 years.
The couple recently introduced 'themed evenings' to keep a fresh appeal.
Most recently they hosted an American evening that saw them add meat to the menu as part of a 'surf & turf' assortment.
Martyn and Nicki also use their standing in the local community to help raise funds for charities such as the RNLI and children's charity Bibic.
Outstanding Achievement Award: Richard Ord from Colman's in South Shields, Tyne and Wear
History of fish and chips and how the national dish shot to fame
Richard Ord from Colman's in South Shields, Tyne and Wear successfully beat the competition to claim the Outstanding Achievement Award.
Colman's has been run by four generations of the same family since it was established in 1926.
A portion of prime cod will set you back £9.95.
Colman's was recently asked to provide their famous fish and chips for the Queen's Birthday celebrations in Guatemala as well as travelling British Ambassador's Residence in Rome to cook dishes for 850 dignitaries.