Local fish and chip shop shortlisted for national award

Taffs Fish and Chips in Great Torrington has been shortlisted for the National Fish & Chip Awards, competing for the title of Takeaway of the Year. 

This recognition positions Taffs as the sole representative from Devon among the 40 top fish and chip shops across the UK vying for this coveted accolade.

Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the awards celebrate excellence within the fish and chip industry. 

ABOVE: Taffs Fish & Chips from the outside

The selection process is rigorous, involving a careful evaluation that includes challenges, interviews, and assessments of industry knowledge, sustainability practices, customer service, and more. 

The aim is to highlight those establishments that embody the highest standards in quality and service.

The awards ceremony is set to take place in February 2025.

Charlie Potts, manager of Taffs Fish and Chip Shop, expressed her excitement about the nomination.

“I feel stoked, absolutely buzzing,” she told the Gazette.

“I became manager in December 2023 and have worked hard to breathe new life into the shop. We're seeing a lot more customers now, and it’s wonderful to know that people come from afar to enjoy our fish and chips.”

Charlie was particularly proud to be the only shop from Devon on the shortlist. 

“I can’t believe we are the only ones in Devon. It would be amazing if we won. All our hard work and passion come through in our love for the food,” she added.

Under the ownership of Daune McCulloch, Taffs employs a dedicated team of 19 staff members.

During the winter months, the shop processes between 500 to 600 tickets weekly, with peak times, especially the summer,  pushing that number to over 700 tickets a week - each ticket representing a customer order. 

Importantly, this figure reflects the total number of orders, as many customers often order multiple meals within a single ticket.

Charlie also told the Gazette how quality is at the heart of Taffs' offerings. 

The shop carefully fillets all its fish, removing bones to ensure a great dining experience for its customers. 

Their fish is caught at sea and prepared fresh daily, with every component, including the potatoes, which are carefully prepared and transformed into chips, made fresh every day. 

The shop also explained how proud they are to use fresh ingredients, with chicken burgers made from fresh chicken breasts and burgers sourced from local butchers, prepared fresh each day.

Charlie finished by saying: "It has been a great team effort, I have a fabulous team that without, we couldn't have gotten this far."

The next round will see the official board of judges chop the list down to 20 and then to the final 10.

The National Fish & Chip Awards ceremony on 26 February, 2025 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, is where the new winner will be announced and will take the baton from current champion, Caerphilly-based Ship Deck.