High and Dry!

One of the most important awards was missing last year at the National Fish & Chip Awards. The NFFF pulled out all the stops to get the event on, but there was not enough time to stage and judge The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year. Well, this year it is back, and entry is now open.

The Drywite Young Fish Frier Competition started in 1995 and every winner has become nationally known through the publicity the competition creates. All finalists are invited to the prestigious National Fish & Chip Shop of the Year Competition Awards in London where this prestigious title is presented to the Winner. The competition was initiated by the directors of Drywite Limited, Kelvin Lee and Briar Wilkinson, in memory of their late father Malcolm Lee, who had always encouraged young people to succeed. Malcolm’s belief was that if young people could be encouraged to make fish frying their career, and if all children could be encouraged to eat and enjoy fish and chips, the future would be safe.

Since its conception the competition has highlighted the vast number of highly trained young professionals working in our Industry and all finalists have benefited from great publicity even if they did not ultimately win. It is not only the young fish friers who benefit from entering the competition – the winning shop can easily receive thousands of pounds worth of free publicity.

All previous winners of the Drywite Young Fish Frier Competition so far have not only thoroughly enjoyed taking part but have also increased their personal confidence and ability to promote themselves and their business locally and nationally.

All finalists have benefited from both national and local press and television and radio coverage, and of course national recognition within the fish frying industry. Previous winners, Michael Fotheringham, Nigel Hodgson, Calum Richardson, Carlyn Kearney, Stuart and Raymond Fusco all went on to win the Blue Riband Fish & Chip Shop of the Year Competition at the awards.

Stuart Fusco who won in 2004, went on to achieve Les Routiers Café of the Year Award in 2005. All winners have gone on to achieve greater success in business.

Kelvin Lee MD of Drywite said “The future of the fish and chip trade depends on young professionals who demonstrate passion for their career and the industry as a whole. Drywite are proud of our award, and we look forward to crowning our new champion.”

Since 1933

PROUDLY SUPPLYING THE FISH FRYING INDUSTRY FOR 90 YEARS

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