Hanbury's named UK’S 2nd best fish and chip shop for 2012

17 January 2012

Hanbury's in Torquay has been named the second best fish and chip shop in the UK after battering its rivals in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2012 on Tuesday (17 January 2012).

The shop, owned by David Hanbury, was awarded second place in the Independent Takeaway Fish & Chip Shop of the Year category by celebrity chef Richard Corrigan at a glittering award ceremony at London's Park Plaza Hotel.

Ten of the UK's best fish and chip shops fought hard for the top spot, with expert judges deliberating well into the night on Monday. Seniors in Thornton, Lancashire, earned first place, while Quayside in Whitby came third.

The final 10 places were hard earned after an unannounced visit from industry judges. Shops were assessed on a wide variety of judging criteria including; product quality, customer service, food preparation procedures, hygiene, innovation, staff training and development, promotional activity and approaches to sustainable sourcing.

The win heralds a dream start to the year for the south west chippy, which was also a finalist in the Independent Restaurant of the Year category.

David Hanbury said: "To be the national runner up in the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year category is a fantastic achievement for us after representing the south west in this final on seven occasions over the past 20 years.

"We first entered the competition in 1988 when it started. As veterans we had not planned on entering this year, but when we all looked back over the past year we saw we had so much to shout about."

Five years ago David started the Hanbury's Fish & Chips on the Downs Music Festival and this year's festival on 19 June raised over £10,000 for local hospices.

David added: "We have so much planned for 2012, including the return of our music festival and a Las Vegas themed charity night. This award is further motivation for the whole Hanbury's team to keep up their fantastic work."

Organised by Seafish, the authority on seafood, the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award recognises the wealth of quality, value and choice offered by the nation's much loved independent fish & chip shops. The title has in the past resulted in a sales increase of up to 100 per cent for the winning shop.

Awards presenter and chef-proprieter, Richard Corrigan, said: "Fish and Chips is an iconic meal, part of British culture. Its integrity is preserved by many of the nominees today as it is in Bentley's where it's served every day.

"Combining heritage with innovation, skill with approach, attention to detail with great produce, Hanbury's is deserving of their title as one of the UK's best fish and chip takeaways. A brilliant execution."

Nikki Hawkins, foodservice and events manager at Seafish, said: "This competition has undoubtedly been our fiercest yet and we congratulate Hanbury's for their stellar effort in achieving the number two spot.

"The awards have recognised the best of the UK's fish and chip shops for the past 24 years with 2012's high standard of entries testament to the industry's commitment to continued improvement and sustainability."

With over 250 million fish and chip meals sold each year from over 10,500 shops across the UK, fish and chips remains the nation's favourite takeaway.  Devotees can tuck into their fish and chips knowing that they contain 36 per cent less calories than a chicken korma and pilau rice, and 42 per cent less fat than a doner kebab with pita and salad.  Recent studies also showed that fish and chips had the lowest salt content of all the takeaways tested.