​Rising Stars: Meet the Finalists of the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year

The National Fish and Chip Awards has announced its top four finalists for the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year Award, showcasing exceptional young talent in the industry. Initially planned for three finalists, the judges expanded the shortlist to four due to the outstanding quality of the candidates. This eagerly anticipated announcement sets the stage for the upcoming award ceremony later this month.

After a three-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions, the award has returned triumphantly, attracting a field of highly skilled young professionals. The competition is open to individuals 25 or younger with at least six months of unsupervised experience in fish frying. The finalists have distinguished themselves through three rigorous rounds of judging, impressing with their industry knowledge, preparation skills, and mastery of fish and chip frying.

This year's finalists, representing the future of the industry, are Kieran Bulpit from Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire; James Ellams from Fish and Chips @ Weston Grove in Chester, Cheshire; Glen Marshall Morrison from Garioch Fish Bar in Inverurie, Scotland; and Jamie Russo from Redcloak Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Scotland.

Andrew Crook, awards organiser and president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, commented on the significance of the award: "Winning the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year award has proven to be a game-changing moment for many of its previous recipients, and this year's cohort is already demonstrating the kind of skillsmanship you'd expect from those who've been in the industry a lot longer. We're very proud of them all, and they're a credit to their respective businesses."

The finalists will attend the awards ceremony on 28 February at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, where the winner of the Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year will be revealed.

In the comments below, we invite our readers to share their thoughts and congratulations to the finalists.