Westend Fish and Chips make shortlist in National Fish and Chip Awards

Westend Fish and Chips in Oswaldtwistle was taken over by the Regan-Hitchen family, consisting of owner and mother Lesley Regan, handyman and father Don Hitchen, their daughter shop manager Deryn and son Thomas, in November 2018.

The family has celebrated National Fish and Chip Day every year since taking over the business and this year, as they celebrate four years running the shop, their efforts have seen them named in the top ten list of finalists for the Field to Frier category in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2023.

The Field to Frier category recognises fish and chip shops from around the UK, for their excellence in potato knowledge, care, and chip preparation, and this year is being sponsored by leading potato supplier, Isle of Ely Produce.

Deryn and another staff member at Westend Fish and Chips (Image: Social media)

Deryn Regan Hitchen said: “The whole team is buzzing, it’s something we’re all so proud to have achieved and something to shout about.

“Me and mum have put our heart and soul into this shop (we turn four on Friday) and if we were lucky enough to go on and win, it would mean the world.

“Our love for fish and chips stems from my grandad who we sadly lost a few years ago, so it’s down to him really that we’ve come this far.

“His love for the British classic fish and chips became mine - he would be so proud of us and our achievements, so I owe it all to him really. Fingers crossed for the next stage.”

The National Fish and Chip Awards announced the top 10 finalists for the Field to Frier 2023 category earlier this week.

The category received a vast amount of entries and a judging panel of industry experts meticulously inspected all applications, in order to finalise the top 10.

The top businesses shortlisted are:

• Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate
• The Cod Mother, Newborough
• Town Street Fryer, Maple Bridge
• Westend Fish and Chips, Oswaldtwistle Blackburn
• Pier Point Fish & Chips, Torquay
• Seafare Guildford, Guildford
• The Fish Bank, Leeds
• Fish Kitchen 1854, Maesycwmmer
• Fiddlers Elbow Fish & Chips, Leintwardine
• Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum

The National Fish and Chip Awards are hosted by The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), on February 28, 2023, at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London.

Westend Chippy (Image: Social media)

Andrew Crook, President at the NFFF, said: “This Field to Frier category is a really important part of the National Fish and Chip Awards, and a good opportunity to celebrate businesses going above and beyond.

“There’s so much more to good fish and chips than the end-product on the plate (or paper) and it’s great to see so many fish and chip shop owners recognising and implementing this. Well done to everyone who has been shortlisted.”