Drywite Top 10 Young Friers revealed
Updated: Aug 8, 2019
The National Fish & Chip Awards 2020 are officially up and running with the announcement today of the ten semi-finalists in the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Competition.
The line-up includes four finalists from this year - Adam Hutton, The Wetherby Whaler, Wetherby, Yorkshire; Charlie Collins, Frydales, Syston, Leicester; Magda Ganea, Papas Fish & Chips, Scarborough, North Yorkshire; and Alex Walker, Lows Traditional Fish & Chips, Aberdeen.
They are joined by Courtney Thomson, Redcloak Fish Bar, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire; Rebecca Brewer, Port & Starboard, St Columb, Cornwall; Jamie Russo, Carron Fish Bar, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire; Tom Lawrie-Marshall, The Chip Club, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey; and Stephen Holde and Jordan Profitt, both of Packet Bridge Fish & Chips, Bolton Le Sands, Lancashire.
Having made it through to the semi finals following a paper judging round and an interview, the 10 friers will now be whittled down to five via an intensive skills-based assessment. This will include chipping potatoes, making batter and frying fish, plus a personal interview during a judging day at the headquarters of the National Federation of Fish Friers Training School in Leeds.
Commenting on the result, Mark Drummond, head judge, said: "This year's 10 semi-finalists are all of a very high standard again. Some have been at this stage before and some have entered for the competition for the first time. The level of knowledge they have about fish and chips and how they delivered it was fantastic and they are all very worthy of their place."
Kelvin Lee, managing director of Drywite, added: “This is a strong semi-final! The next round is intense but they are all up for it and I am looking forward to what they are going to show us.”
The final five will undergo one last round of judging involving a mystery shop and a second practical skills assessment, this time within their own working environment.
The winner will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards in London on 23rd January 2020.