Latest news with #NationalFederationofFishFriers
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Dolphin Fish & Chips in Pembrokeshire wins top award
Dolphin Fish & Chips in Goodwick earned the title after receiving the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) Quality Accreditation, which recognises excellence in product quality, hygiene, and customer service in the fish and chip industry. The accreditation follows a detailed virtual inspection by an NFFF-approved assessor, who reviewed the shop's staff training, equipment, frying skills, and overall cleanliness. A spokesman for Dolphin Fish & Chips said: "We are delighted to gain our place in the scheme. "To be recognised as one of the top fish and chip shops by the NFFF is indeed an honour and a credit to our hardworking staff, who I would like to offer my sincere thanks for their continued hard work and efforts to maintain our excellent reputation. "I would personally like to thank all our customers, new and old. "The support and encouragement they have offered has been great. "It has motivated us to maintain our high standards which have been recognised with this accreditation." Andrew Crook, president of the NFFF, said: "The NFFF Quality Accreditation scheme is extremely comprehensive. "Food safety is a key area that we examine together with other key aspects of the business including the preparation and cooking equipment, to the management of paperwork and the traceability of fish. "'Dolphin Fish & Chips' clearly takes pride in where it sources its fish and potatoes from. "Achieving the NFFF Quality Accreditation provides reassurance to customers that they are being served cooked food using high-quality ingredients." The accreditation is valid for one year and can be renewed only if standards are maintained, as verified by follow-up assessments.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Coastal Scottish town famous for iconic chip shops and birthplace of deep fried Mars bar
A small town on the Aberdeenshire coast with just over 11,000 residents is home to four chip shops, two of which rank among the UK's top 40 Friday, June 6, marks National Fish and Chip Day, with fans across the UK urged to celebrate this iconic British dish. From Shetland to Cornwall, people will be tucking into a humble 'chippie' meal to mark the occasion, or simply because it's Friday. For fish and chip lovers in Scotland, one town stands out as the ultimate destination: Stonehaven, on the stunning Aberdeenshire coast. Despite its modest population of just over 11,000, Stonehaven boasts four c hip shops serving locals, tourists, and daytrippers alike. Impressively, two of these were named among the UK's top 40 by the National Federation of Fish Friers, Scottish Daily Express reports. Redcloak Fish Bar and Carron Fish Bar both earned spots on the list, with judges praising the quality of their fare. Redcloak, located away from the famous harbour, is celebrated for its particularly tasty fish, while the Carron claims to be the birthplace of the legendary deep-fried Mars bar, though it was known as Haven Chip Bar at the time. According to Google, the Carron shares the top spot in the town with Bay Fish and Chips, a firm local favourite boasting more than 90 awards over the years. Even Meyden, the lesser-known chippie, holds an impressive 4.2-star rating with many glowing five-star reviews. Aberdeenshire itself is a haven for chip shops, with six of Scotland's top ten outlets, as ranked by the National Federation, located in the region or nearby Aberdeen. Stonehaven offers much more than excellent fish and chips. Its beach, a blend of sand and shingle, was honoured with a Keep Scotland Beautiful award earlier this year for its cleanliness, facilities, and accessibility. The lively harbour invites visitors to take a stroll to burn off those calories, while the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum on the quayside provides a glimpse into the town's history. Not far away, the dramatic ruins of Dunnotter Castle perch atop a 160-foot rock, creating one of Scotland's most iconic images. The cliffs surrounding Stonehaven are home to tens of thousands of seabirds, and the town comes alive during the famous Stonehaven Fireballs event, which rings in the New Year with a fiery spectacle. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Located about 15 miles south of Aberdeen, Stonehaven can be reached by car from Glasgow or Edinburgh in roughly two and a half hours. Meanwhile, Scotland's favourite fish and chip shop was recently crowned in the eagerly awaited Deliveroo Restaurant Awards. Sea Salt and Sole, with four locations across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, in Dyce, Bridge of Don, Cove, and Ellon, claimed the title of Best Fish and Chips in Scotland 2025. Known for using freshly caught fish and locally sourced ingredients, Sea Salt and Sole has won over foodies with its signature double-cooked chips, which perfectly complement many dishes. The menu changes with the seasons, with careful attention given to everything from the potato varieties to frying temperatures.
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The best cod and haddock alternatives for your fish supper
At Harrison's in Oxford, a sign greets customers coming for a fish supper. 'To cod or not to cod?' it reads, before suggesting 'one of our delicious alternatives'. A chart displays the regulars – cod and haddock – but below are a number of options. Hake is advertised as 'a mild and slightly sweet-tasting white fish, similar to cod or haddock, slightly firmer flake, but great sustainable alternative.' It also shows plaice, hoki, rock salmon (also known as huss, it's 'not as flaky as cod but has a mild, sweet-taste'), calamari and scampi. Owner Ryan Harrison, who opened the award-winning chippy in 2021, says cod and haddock are by far the biggest sellers. But other fish are slowly making inroads. Harrison sells up to 10 species each day, which might include fillets such as hoki or plaice. 'It's still very small, but people that have ordered rock salmon, for example, are reordering it, because they like the taste. Hake is similar to cod, but a lot of people don't like to change from something they've always had.' Perhaps customers are less resistant than he thinks – M&S reports that sales of hake are up 125 per cent on last year, a sure sign that the gap is narrowing. Soaring cod prices Chip shop owners like Harrison are coming to terms with the environmental impact of overfishing. Cod prices reached their highest level ever late last year, forcing some chippies to remove it completely. The war in Ukraine, climate change and lower quotas due to declining stocks – which are largely fished by Norwegian and Russian firms – have all been blamed. This has encouraged operators to look for other options, often more sustainable species caught in the UK. Harrison was part of a delegation led by Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, which visited Newlyn in Cornwall to meet Cornish fishermen. It spurred him to trial alternatives, and though he says cod and haddock will always be top choice, the fortune of alternatives is rising. With cod prices soaring, they are not always more expensive. Harrison sells haddock for £7 and cod for £8. Rock salmon is £8, hake £8.50, Cornish haddock £9.50. All are roughly the same size. Creatures of habit Britain likes to think of itself as a seafood-loving nation – witness the prominence of fishermen in the Brexit debates – but in truth it isn't. We eat a narrow range of species, 80 per cent consisting of the big five: cod, haddock, salmon, tuna and prawns. Much of our seafood, some of the best in the world, gets exported. Enjoying langoustines and scallops in a sunny Spanish resort? Chances are they came from Britain. Britain's cooks, from chip shop owners to Michelin-starred chefs, hope to reverse the situation. Last month, The Caterer announced there has 'probably never been a more interesting time for seafood in this country'. Branching out One restaurant working closely with environmentally conscious fishermen is Beach House Falmouth. It has a long-established relationship with Ned Bailey, who has fished Cornish waters for decades. For Bailey, it is crucial chefs – and customers – broaden their horizons. 'It puts less pressure on the stocks of 'favourite' fish and shellfish, which is great for helping sustainability but also increases demand for less popular species, which would hopefully increase the price fishermen get for it,' Bailey says. Beach House Falmouth's head chef Jack Frame enjoys the challenge. 'It's important to push people out of their comfort zones, it's better for conservation but also just exciting to try new things.' Frame says hake is popular, while monkfish and gurnard appeal to those seeking 'firmer and meatier' fish. For fish and chips, Frame has used mullet, hake and sole. 'Luckily these are easier sells, as it's battered.' Not everything is a hit. Some find cuttlefish, similar to squid, 'a bit scary', although Frame cooks it into familiar classics, like a cuttlefish ragu, and guests 'always end up loving it'. Championing the underdog Jack Stein, chef director at the renowned seafood restaurant group founded by his father, Rick, has long championed more obscure species. Last year, he launched an 'Unsung Seafood Species' campaign promoting lesser-known and underappreciated seafood, including cuttlefish, cockles, whelks, megrim sole, razor clams and more. Stein recommends hake, coley and ling instead of cod and haddock, and oily mackerel over tuna – though only if it's caught with a line and hook. Red mullet and gurnard, both 'sweet and delicate', are also favourites of his, while the little-known and 'absolutely delicious' weever fish 'deserves more recognition in the UK' despite its venomous spines. 'Fortunately, our guests tend to be seafood enthusiasts, open to exploring new flavours,' he says. In London, renowned Borough Market seafood restaurant Applebee's relaunched in February and executive chef Frankie van Loo is committed to expanding Britain's repertoire. 'Lots of people might not realise their usual favourite suspects aren't always available from UK shores, and that we're in danger of overfishing certain species.' Aside from classics – think dover sole meunière and fish and chips – van Loo aims to educate customers about seasonality, why certain fish shouldn't be caught during spawning periods, and how widening our choices allows stocks to replenish. Following the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide, van Loo opts for the likes of monkfish and sea bream. 'We know scallops, sea bass, tuna, prawns and salmon will sell, it's what people know. We try to balance our menu with a combination of these fish and some lesser-known varieties such as red mullet, gurnard, cuttlefish and whiting.' Currently, a butterflied red mullet in bouillabaisse sauce is popular, and the chef hopes to swap cod and haddock for other species for fish and chips, such as whiting and pollock. Diversity is key Seth McCurry, UK & Ireland senior commercial manager at the Marine Stewardship Council, says: 'Diversifying the types of fish we eat is important because by eating different types of fish and seafood, we're spreading out the demand, giving some species a break and encouraging fishers to catch a wider variety. This helps make sure we aren't putting too much pressure on any one particular species.' McCurry says 37 per cent of global fish stocks were overfished in 2024, but the volume of pollock and hake sold has increased, while brands like Birds Eye are diversifying their ranges, including the little known silver smelt. Getting people to switch isn't always easy, says Ben Champkin, chef patron at Catch at the Old Fish Market in Weymouth. The likes of herring and sprat have a 'distinctive, robust taste' and oily texture that some find overpowering. Their appearance can also be less appealing than more familiar trout or cod, says Champkin. Back in Cornwall, Bailey would like to see more Britons eating spider and velvet crab, which mostly are shipped to Spain. 'Post-Brexit costs have made exporting much more expensive, so a lot of smaller firms have ceased exporting.' Eating a wider range of seafood is not only environmentally beneficial, it can help British fishermen, too. Four recipes to try Hake Pollock Mullet Cuttlefish
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
New map shows 11 best fish and chip shops across UK's seaside towns
Find the nearest and greatest chippies, as a new map has revealed the top 11 seaside fish and chips shops in the UK - with one location having six must-try spots that you shouldn't miss out on Fish and chips are a staple in the UK, with a chippy tea at the end of the week is a tradition for many. There isn't anything that can top a warm plate of delicious cod or haddock, French frie s and mushy peas. Even better if it is by the seaside. The National Federation of Fish Friers released the Top 40 Fish and Chip Shops around the country, The Mirror reported. Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said: 'Making the top 40 fish and chip Takeaway of the Year list is a huge achievement for these outlets that have all worked extremely hard to make it on there and all of which have had to go through a rigorous judging process by a panel of fish and chip experts.' 'Each and every one will be dishing up delicious portions of the finest fish and chips so if you're lucky enough to live locally to one of the shops mentioned or are keen to visit one, then it's 100% worth it.' According to the reports, the best place to enjoy the highest quality fish and chips is located in the coastal town of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, hence the number of fish and chips restaurants and takeaway shops in the area. Kellaway's Fish and Chips in Truro ranked third on the list of the best 40 fish and chips takeaways in the UK. With a rating of 3.9 stars on TripAdvisor and 90% of satisfaction on their Facebook profile, one happy customer wrote: "Gave it a go as it's our local chippy. Delicious food & polite staff. Have been going there for our fish & chips cravings ever since. Can't knock it. I think it's reasonably priced too for a family treat. App is a lifesaver when you have your hungry little terrors with you. Thanks!" Another reviewer said: "Absolutely the best chippy! Super crispy batter and delicious chips and batter bits if you ask for them. I wouldn't go anywhere else. The staff are always pleasant and helpful and the food is cooked to order so it's always super fresh. 100% recommend." Best eaten by the seaside and praised for their quality, here's the list of the 11 best fish and chip shops across the UK's seaside towns. Cornwall Kellaway's Fish and Chips, Truro Devon Taffs Fish and Chips, Torrington Somerset The Oyster Shell, Bath Kent Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate Norfolk French's Fish Shop, Wells-next-the-sea READ MORE: Tiny UK seaside village is eerily quiet but is just 9-miles from famous town Lincolnshire Elite on the Bail, Lincoln Aberdeenshire Carron Fish Bar, Stonehaven Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie Lows Traditional Fish & Chips (Berryden), Aberdeen Mike's Famous Fish & Chips (Blackburn), Aberdeen Redclock Fish Bar, Stonehaven Sea Salt + Sole, Aberdeen Ayrshire The Fish Works, Largs Fife The Wee Chippy, Anstruther Inverness-shire Hilton Chip Shop, Inverness Glamorgan Posh Fish and Chips (Llandaff), Cardiff Zero Plus Fish & Chips, Cardiff
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nottinghamshire fish and chip shop where 'food is unreal' rated among UK's best
Good Friday is the busiest day of the year for fish and chip shops around the UK with long queues expected at takeaways around the country. Many people follow the tradition of eating a fish meal on the Friday before Easter Sunday, and families across Nottinghamshire are no different. With countless chippies across the county, it can often be hard to narrow down the best shop to go to. Thanks to a new list of the top 40 fish and chip shops across the UK, compiled by the National Federation of Fish Friers, choosing which chip shop to take a chance on this Good Friday should be that bit easier. Unsurprisingly, a costal town - Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire - is rated as the best place for fish and chips in the UK, with two takeaways just over a mile apart featuring in the top 40 list. READ MORE: GBBO's Prue Leith, 85, says 'I haven't got much longer' in poignant interview READ MORE: Nottinghamshire pub kitchen temporarily closed after receiving one star hygiene rating In England, Yorkshire tops the list for best fish and chip shops, with four takeaways in the county appearing on the list. However, landlocked Nottinghamshire makes the list, with a beloved local chippy appearing in the top 40. Angell's Fisheries in Newark-on-Trent was determined to be one of the best fish and chip shops in the country. One of only four chip shops from the East Midlands to rank in the list, it is often said to be Newark's oldest, first opening in early 1900, according to the owners. The consistently-busy takeaway on Barnaby Gate has hundreds of five-star reviews on Google from loyal locals and customers who have travelled from further afield to try the highly-rated cod and chips. One recent review described the food as 'the best for miles and miles' and 'unreal' with another praising the staff service in the shop, adding "it's nice going to the chippy and everyone joking and chatting". Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said: 'Good Friday is a huge trading day on the fish and chip shop calendar when businesses across the country welcome hundreds of customers through their doors keen to enjoy this holiday staple. "Making the top 40 fish and chip Takeaway of the Year list is a huge achievement for these outlets that have all worked extremely hard to make it on there and all of which have had to go through a rigorous judging process by a panel of fish and chip experts. "Each and every one will be dishing up delicious portions of the finest fish and chips so if you're lucky enough to live locally to one of the shops mentioned or are keen to visit one, then it's 100% worth it." This year's winner of the top award was Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington, in second place was the Fish Works in Lard, Scotland,and Kellaway's Fish and Chips in Cornwall was placed third.
