Worker from Bells in Durham up for National Fish & Chip Awards

Donna Whitfield from Bells Fish & Chips, Durham, will go up against two other top professionals from across the industry in the UK in the finals of the awards.

The National Fish & Chip Awards recognise and underpin sector best practice and now in its 38th instalment, the standards continue to elevate year after year.

Bells Fish & Chips, Durham (Image: TOM BANKS)

A team of leading industry figures have designed a thorough review process, which examines candidates’ knowledge of the trade, approaches to sustainability and cooking top quality chippy food.

The ones to watch for the Employee of the Year award have been nominated by their colleagues, and the judges have selected the finalists based on their proficiency with food preparation, operational tasks, front-of-house service, leadership abilities, resourcefulness, and consistency in whipping up unbeatable fish and chips.

Donna will be up against Zak Bishop from Squires Fish Restaurant & Takeaway, Braunton, Devon, and Hollie Hutton from Towngate Fisheries, Bradford, West Yorkshire.

The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) organises the event, and its President, Andrew Crook, said that the nominees are true champions of the trade.

He said: “Employee of the Year is a big celebration of the people at the heart of our nation’s fish and chip shops, and we are grateful for professionals like our finalists.

“They give themselves fully to all they do, whether it’s supporting their teammates, overcoming obstacles or running service like clockwork.

“It’s a demanding profession, but they make it look effortless.

“It’s a huge achievement to be up for this award, and there’s no limit on how far Donna, Zak and Hollie can go in their careers.”