THE NATIONAL FISH and CHIP AWARDS’ STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD FINALISTS REVEALED

Four of the UK’s leading fish and chip businesses have today (Monday 12 September) been announced as finalists in the Staff Training and Development Award for the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

The four finalists – The Frying Squad in Bangor, County Down; John Dory’s in Lisburn, County Antrim; Fochabers Fish Bar in Fochabers, Moray and Papa’s Fish and Chips in Hull, East Yorkshire – will now go head-to-head as they compete for the top title in this award category, as part of what are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fish frying industry.

To secure a place as a finalist, shortlisted businesses have been appraised across a wide range of judging criteria including internal training policies and systems, training assessments to gauge the need for development, training support and forward plans for staff development.

Over the coming weeks, the successful businesses will be subjected to unannounced judging visits from an awards auditor who will review the staff training and development practices, in addition to also ascertaining the level of customer service and quality of the fish and chips on offer. This final stage of competition judging will determine the overall national winner that will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held in London in January 2017.

Sponsored by James T. Blakeman & Co Ltd, the Staff Training and Development Award recognises fish and chip businesses that provide their employees with the highest level of training while demonstrating dedication to personal development and career progression.

Award sponsor Philip Blakeman, Managing Director at James T. Blakeman & Co Ltd, commented: “As a family business with over 60 years’ experience and recognised as one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of sausage and meat products, staff training has always been an important part of our success.

“The entrepreneurial owners of fish frying establishments cannot overlook the importance of good quality training for their burgeoning young staff members and be mindful of their role in the future success of the business.

“As a proud sponsor of The National Fish & Chip Awards, I believe this category showcases those businesses that are a credit to the industry and positively encourages others to follow suit. We would like to congratulate the finalists in reaching this stage of the competition.”

Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, added: “The National Fish & Chip Awards showcase the UK’s finest fish and chip businesses and individuals through a diverse range of award categories that cater for every aspect of running a successful business, including one of the most important elements – the staff.

“Staff training and development is an integral part of the day-to-day running of a fish and chip business. It’s so important that we recognise and reward those excelling in this area, not only to encourage improved training methods but to also help increase the knowledge and skill base of our industry, helping safeguard it for generations to come.”

For further information on The National Fish & Chip Awards please visit www.fishandchipawards.com. Follow @FishnChipAwards on Twitter for all the awards news and information.