A year to remember

Peter Calvert sums up his 12 months as Drywite Young Fish Frier ahead of the baton being passed to the 2019 winner in just two days time

It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 months since being named the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year. It has definitely flown by but it has been one of the best years I’ve ever had.

I’ve had some fantastic experiences, from working with the NFFF, to helping train new people entering our fantastic industry, to travelling to the Faroe Islands for the JFK Seamen’s day festival and seeing how fish and chips are enjoyed in a different culture. All of this came about because I decided to enter the DYFFY competition and do my best.

I feel like I have grown so much, both professionally and personally, become more confident in my job and gained so much more knowledge in the last year from seeing all the aspects of our industry first hand.

Over the last 12 months, I have tried my best to be an ambassador for the DYFFY, the industry and for young people by showing how important it is to get involved and demonstrating how much young friers can achieve by entering the competition. The competition allows us to socialise with other young friers around the country, create friendships and networks that will help the fish and chip industry grow and continue to be as strong as it is.

Winning is the top prize but merely entering can give so much back that can help young friers become more confident and knowledgeable, as well as experience of what the industry has the offer.

I’d like to thank Fry Magazine for giving me the opportunity to write this column each month and help promote the DYFFY competition. I'd also like to thank Nikki Hawkins and Seafish for inviting me on study trips to both Billingsgate Fish Market and the Faroe Islands, as well as for giving me the opportunity to work with the Seafish ambassadors and convey my own ideas for the future of fish and chips.

I also want to thank the NFFF for enabling me to help train newcomers entering the industry and pass on the knowledge I have gained to help others create successful businesses, something I’m very eager to continue with. I’d like to thank Mark, Denise, Danny and Amy and everyone at Mister C’s for all the support they have given me during and after winning DYFFY and helping me enjoy the year as well as complete all the things I aimed to this year.

Most importantly of all, I’d like to thank Nicky Lewis, Kelvin Lee and everyone at Drywite who continue to support and host the DYFFY. Without you to continuously promote, organise and host the competition, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to have such a fantastic year.

I wish the best of luck to this year’s finalists. You’ve all worked extremely hard to be where you are. I hope you have enjoyed it and, no matter what, you continue to enter and keep trying. Also, a massive congratulations to the winner, whoever that may be, and good luck with your year. I hope you enjoy it as I have.