Most recent winner

The Atlantic Fast Food chippy in Coatbridge, Glasgow, has won first place at this year’s National Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition, organised by Seafish, the authority on seafood.

Owner Giovanni Fionda, and his mum and dad, Ida and Raphael Fionda, were presented with the coveted trophy, by fellow Italian and TV chef Aldo Zilli, at a ceremony at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel in London today (21 January).

This is the first year Atlantic Fast Food has entered the competition but fish and chips is in the family blood with Giovanni’s parents running shops for many years.

Giovanni was crowned champion after a rigorous judging process which included a customer vote, taste tests, two intense rounds of shop inspections and a presentation to a panel of industry experts.

Shops are judged strictly not only on the quality of their fish and chips but on all areas of the business including responsible seafood sourcing, customer service, food hygiene, staff training and community spirit.

This is the third year running that a Scottish shop has scooped the title of best fish and chip shop in the UK.

Giovanni said: “To win this competition as a first time entrant is a dream come true. It’s the best thing to have happened to us in our professional life and has made all the hard work worth it. We’ve worked in the fish and chips business for many years and it’s always been great fun.  Our team are extremely hard working and it’s thanks to them and our loyal customers that we are taking home this trophy.”

Finnegan’s Fish Bar in Porthcawl, South Wales, was named the second best shop in the country with Midlands regional winner, The Great British Eatery in Birmingham coming in third place.

Aldo Zilli, competition compere and seafood restaurateur, said: “The high standards of our fish and chip shops rival the top restaurants in the country. The best shop owners work hard to deliver outstanding quality by using the finest ingredients and a strong commitment to responsible fish sourcing.”

Nikki Hawkins, competition project manager for Seafish, said: “Fish and chip shops are well-placed to prosper in the current economic climate as they offer value for money and a quality product with a feel good factor.

“Despite the credit crunch, people still want to enjoy small luxuries. In fact 183 million portions of fish and chips were sold last year alone.  A national institution, fish and chips have survived the test of time and will be around for many years to come.”

2010 is the 150th anniversary of fish and chips. The national Fish & Chip Shop of the Year competition has been going for 22 years and since then fish and chip shops have changed dramatically, with many now offering different varieties of fish such as pollack, coley, and hake. Modern frying methods and state of the art frying ranges also mean that fish and chips is one of the healthiest takeaway meals containing less salt, a third less calories and over 40 per cent less fat than other takeaways.