Darlington’s Yarm Road among big winners at National Fish & Chip Awards 2025

Darlington’s Yarm Road Fish and Chips scooped the Takeaway of the Year title at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025.

London’s Park Plaza Hotel welcomed around 600 guests for prestigious event run by the National Federation of Fish Friers and sponsored by Seafood from Norway.

After a three-course lunch, which featured Norwegian cod, the awards section of the afternoon was hosted by TV’s Matt Baker, with Yarm Road winning the biggest prize of the day.

From the final 10 takeaway shortlist, Yarm Road came out on top, with Fish Works (Largs) and Kellaway’s (Truro) rounding off the top three.

Yarm Road director and manager Will Burrell said: “It has definitely taken us by surprise a little bit, to be honest. We didn’t really think this would be our year.

“That’s not because of how the judging or the process has gone, but really because of how amazing all the rest of the finalists are.

“To be mentioned alongside these guys is one thing, to top the list is something we could only dream of. Now it’s reality.”

Takeaway of the year candidates were subject to a mystery shopper, had to create a marketing initiative to promote their businesses to the younger generation and were then presented to a panel of industry judges.

There were 15 awards handed out in total, including a special prize for outstanding contribution to the industry, which went to Paul Williams, chairman of KFE, who has worked in fish and chips since 1977.

He said: “I’m not normally lost for words, but today I am. I’m absolutely honoured to have this, it means so much.

“I’ve been in this industry nearly 50 years now and I love it.”

Other winners included Georgia Lye (employee of the year), Mackerel Sky (newcomer of the year) and Glen Morrison (young fish frier of the year).

Award winners will be treated to a study trip to Norway later this year, a highlight being a voyage on board one of the country's frozen-at-sea vessels, Langøy, to experience fishing in the country's waters.

Full list of winners –

Takeaway of the year: Yarm Road Fish and Chips (Darlington)
Newcomer of the year: Mackerel Sky (Stamford Bridge)
Community engagement: Brockley’s Rock (London)
International operator of the year: Fez and Cip (Brunei)
Mobile operator of the year: Country Fried (Blackburn)
Training and development: Taylors (Stockport)
Field to frier: Redcloak Fish Bar (Stonehaven)
Environment and sustainable business: Finney’s Fish and Chips (Benllech)
Quality accreditation champion: The Scrap Box (York)
Digital marketing: Eric’s Fish and Chips (Thornham)
Employee of the year: Georgia Lye (Seafare Guildford)
Oustanding contribution: Paul Williams (KFE)
Supplier of the year: Dennis Crooks
Restaurant of the year: Bells Fish & Chips (Framwellgate Moor)
Young fish frier of the year: Glen Morrison (Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie)