Meet the Finalists for Young Fish Frier of the Year 2024

The stage is set for the eagerly awaited announcement of the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year, as the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) unveils the final four contenders in this year’s prestigious category. With the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 fast approaching, the question on everyone’s lips is: Who will emerge as the best young fish frier in the UK?

The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award celebrates the industry's rising stars — a new generation of passionate professionals eager to propel the UK’s fish and chip sector to new heights. Open to those aged 25 or under with a minimum of six months’ unsupervised frying experience, this competition has proven to be a rigorous test of skill, dedication, and potential.

The finalists were selected from a highly competitive pool, after undergoing a series of tough assessments that tested not just their frying skills but their leadership and knowledge of best practices. They were put through their paces during in-person evaluations at their workplaces, where judges examined their cooking techniques, preparation skills, and, crucially, the quality of their fish and chips.

The four exceptional finalists represent the very best the future holds for the fish and chip trade:

• Abigail Barker from Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby, near York, Yorkshire

• James Ellams from Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire

• Sebastian Harding Crook from Squires in Braunton, Devon

• Glen Morrison from Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland

Kelvin Lee, Managing Director of Drywite Ltd, the award’s sponsor, expressed his pride in the competition’s continued success. “Having run the first Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year competition in 1995, we are very proud that, 30 years later, the competition continues to attract such high-calibre contestants. This year’s finalists are all exceptional young friers who are sure to make a lasting impact in the industry.”

Andrew Crook, president of the NFFF, echoed these sentiments. “The calibre of contestants this year has once again amazed the judges. The Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award is more than just a title — it’s a platform to inspire and nurture young talent, encouraging them to embrace a long-term career in the fish and chip industry. Our finalists trulyembody the sector's values, and we are excited to see where their careers will take them.”

The National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 will take place on 26 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, where the winner will be revealed. Who will succeed Jamie Russo from Redcloak Fish Bar in Stonehaven and claim the coveted title of Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year 2024? The countdown to find out begins now.