A Shetland chippie has won yet another award, this time finishing as runner-up in the National Fish and Chip Awards announced in London on 22 January.
As winner of the Scottish regional award, Frankie's competed against nine other fish and chip shops from around the country. The top prize for Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year was the Quayside in Whitby, North Yorkshire
“It's a tremendous honour for us to have been recognised as the best in Scotland and second best in the UK,” said Frankie's manager John Gold, who together with owner Valerie Johnson gave a presentation to 12 judges on Tuesday 21st January at the Lancaster London Hotel. It included a short video by local filmmakers JJ Jamieson and Dave Donaldson with a backing track – Frankie's reel – composed by JJ and Peter Gear. The film can be seen here.
“This gives us a great platform to promote ourselves and the fish and chip shop trade in general,” said Mrs Johnson. “We are delighted.”
“Several of the judges commented that the standard of entrants this year was higher than it has ever been,” said Mr Gold. “So to have risen to where we have among our outstanding peers in the trade gives us great satisfaction. Frankie's is just over five years old and all the staff have worked extremely hard to ensure our produce and customer service is as good as it can be. In fact, our staff are our most important asset, so I'm delighted for the recognition this gives them.”
This latest success at the awards, hosted by celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli, follows four major awards at the same event last year.
The café in Brae, in Shetland's north mainland, offers much more than fish and chips. Mussels are a speciality and there are all sorts of other delicious treats, including a range of home-baked cakes, served in generous portions.