Somewhere Else Fishy at Westbridge Park in Sherborne has been named in the top 40 contenders for the Takeaway of the Year title at the National Fish & Chip Awards, making it the only Dorset business to secure a place on the prestigious list.
The awards, now in their 39th year, are regarded as one of the highest honours in the fish and chip industry and attract entries from businesses across the UK.
Judges selected the top 40 after assessing entries on factors including food quality, customer service, industry expertise and commitment to sustainable practices.
The recognition means Somewhere Else Fishy is now one step closer to claiming the coveted national title, with further rounds of judging still to come before the winner is announced next February.
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, which runs the awards, said the businesses reaching this stage had demonstrated “talent, passion, excellent professionalism and dedication to their craft”.
He said: “Every year, the Takeaway of the Year standard continues to rise and this new list of top 40 contenders exemplify that.
“It’s the people behind these businesses that make our industry what it is. We are proud to celebrate the owners, teams and young talent whose passion and hard work keep this much-loved tradition thriving.
“Recognition like this is about far more than trophies. It’s about acknowledging the individuals who go above and beyond for their customers and communities every single day.”
The competition’s judges, made up of industry specialists, will now put the shortlisted businesses through a comprehensive series of assessments.
These will examine areas including product quality, hygiene standards, environmental sustainability, operational practices, customer service and industry knowledge.
Only 20 businesses will progress to the semi-final stage before the field is narrowed further to a top 10.
Andrew added: “Good luck to everyone who makes it through to the next stage, and we can’t wait to see the results next February at the awards.”
The eventual winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on February 24.
The current title holder is The Scrap Box in York, whose co-owner Aman Dhesi said the award had provided a significant boost to the business and opened up new opportunities beyond the shop itself.
For Somewhere Else Fishy, a place in the UK’s top 40 already marks a significant achievement and puts Sherborne firmly on the national fish and chip map as the competition enters its next phase.