Fish and chips, it doesn’t get more British than that. Well, sort of. The battered and deep-fried fish we think of as our hails from Spanish and Portuguese Jewish immigrants arriving in the country in the 16th century.
While they may have brought the idea to us, we have crafted and honed it into what it is today: a delicacy unmatched and a perfect way to hit that takeaway hotspot.
Though common, a good and consistent chippy is quite hard to come by.
But there is one takeaway in Yorkshire, Sherburn in Elmet, that boasts one of the country’s best-rated eateries.
The Fish Bank could take away the title of the nation’s best such establishment after it has made the final 20 shortlist for Takeaway of the Year in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024.
Intense assessments have been carried out to determine which fish shop trumps them all.
Entrants have been compared on things like environmental best practices, product knowledge and employer accountability, with critics from the fish and chip injury already having halved the original shortlist of 40.
Judges will continue to review the shortlist to cut it down even further to around 10 competitors.
They will deploy a host of techniques, from taste tests to mystery visits, keeping each establishment on its toes till the very end.
The winners will eventually be announced in a glitzy awards ceremony in London in February 2024.
For the Fish Bank, it is a dream come true. The takeaway only opened in 2019, yet has also received a nomination for the Field to Frier category, which recognises a business’s knowledge of potatoes and the preparation that goes into making high-quality chips.
It is the only store from the Yorkshire county out of the ten nominees for the Field to Frier category, something that owner Jonathan France told the Yorkshire Evening Post last month that he was “really thrilled” about.
He was, he added, proud to be “flying the flag for Yorkshire”.
People rave about The Fish Bank online, and with 247 reviews and a 4.3-star rating on Google, the proof is in the pudding.
“Thank you for the most beautifully tasting scampi. my family also says thanks for the perfect fish & chips. Always brilliant customer service and perfectly cooked food. Definitely our favourite place for a Saturday afternoon treat,” said one user.
“Absolutely the perfect fish and chips. Had the lunchtime special of small fish, small chips, small sausage and a side of peas. All for £6. Great value, lovely staff great chip shop. Divert your travels to stop by this lovely fish and chip shop,” added another.
Some other Yorkshire businesses have, however, made the final 20 shortlist for the Takeaway of the Year award.
The LightHouse Fisheries of Flamborough in Bridlington has made the mark, as have Mister C’s in Selby and Auckley Friery in Doncaster.
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, which organises the awards, says: “The level of detail we require entrants to provide hasn’t phased our shortlisted businesses and they are hitting every mark.
“The award officials have gone back and forth and around in circles choosing the 20 finalists; it’s not been an easy task, so what a brilliant achievement for those that are moving forward.”
