A Moray fish and chip shop will return home with a fine fillet of silverware, despite missing out on the top prize at the industry’s Oscars.
Fochabers Fish Bar owner Darren Boothroyd has been in London this week, frying his best for the panel of judges.
The acclaimed chippy was in the running to be named the best in the UK after landing the accolade for Scotland.
However, last night it was announced it had missed out on being named in the prestigious top three at the National Fish and Chip Awards.
However, the eatery still has fresh silverware to display on the Fochabers counter after winning the “quality award”.
And it almost became a double success story with Mr Boothroyd’s 16-year-old daughter, Elise, named runner-up in the young fish fryer category.
He responded: “I had never even fried a fish three years ago. So it’s amazing we’re now in the top 10 in the UK.
“It’s good to bring some silverware home, not just for me, but also for the staff because they work incredibly hard.
“The quality award is fantastic. Although we don’t physically trade as often as other businesses, we’re in every morning at 7.30am, putting the work in behind the scenes – cutting the fish, working the potatoes and preparing the flour.
“It’s the hard graft that people don’t see and I am proud that it is being recognised.”
The quality award recognises shops which achieve a balance between first-class suppers, highly trained staff, clean premises and outstanding shop appearance.
The business was also a finalist in the staff development and training category.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead was among the first to congratulate the business on flying the flag for the region by submitting a motion to the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the win.
He said: “It’s wonderful to see a Moray company, and their staff, being recognised at such a prestigious awards event and shows the quality of businesses we have here.
“It’s great testament to the Fochabers chippy’s commitment to investing in their workforce they were also shortlisted in the staff training and development category.”