Quayside named UK's 3rd best fish and chip shop for 2012

17 January 2012

Quayside in Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been named the third best fish and chip shop in Britain after battering its rivals in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2012 on Tuesday (17 January 2012).

The shop, owned by Stuart Fusco, was awarded third 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 Hanbury's in Babbacombe, Devon came second.

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 Fusco family is something of a fish and chip dynasty in Whitby. The family business, Fusco Ltd., runs two of the town's most popular and award winning fish and chip shops Royal Fisheries and Quayside, overseen by matriarch Carol.

All four of her children work in the family business, with Quayside run by son Stuart, who has previously been awarded Seafish's Young Fish Frier of the Year Award.

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

Reflecting on the win, Stuart said: "Coming third place in the National Fish & Chip Awards' main category is a fantastic achievement for the Quayside team and after a busy summer last year the award has been a great incentive to push our high standards to the next level.

"To hold the title of third place in the whole of the UK will have a positive effect on the whole area, helping to bring in more tourists who'll travel to Whitby for an award winning takeaway. It's further proof that Whitby is the Fish and Chip capital of the world!

"Many of our team have been with us for a number of years and it's thanks to their commitment and great work that we continue to collect these great achievements."

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, Quayside well deserve their title of the UK's third best fish and chip takeaway. A brilliant execution."

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