A popular fish and chip in Cornwall has made it to the final top 20 in the country in The National Fish & Chip Awards 2024.

Kellaway’s Fish and Chips, in Threemilestone, Truro was announced as being in the top 40 of the National Fish & Chip Awards’ takeaway category last month.

Now, as The National Fish & Chip Awards are heating up, Kellaway’s has been named as one of the 20 fish and chip shops getting closer to being named Takeaway of the Year.

Posting on its Facebook page the owners said: “Super proud of all of our team for getting us into the Top 20.

“What an achievement for our first time of entering this category in the awards!”

It’s a nerve-racking time for the candidates having shaken off 20 others in the shortlist by wowing the panel of fish and chip experts who have been poring over the takeaways with a fine-tooth comb.

The business owners have shown excellence in the areas of industry and product expertise, environmental and sustainable business methods, employer accountability, and of course providing the tastiest high-quality food, to name a few of the judging criteria.

The category is sponsored by BDSigns, Florigo, Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck, McWhinney’s Sausages, Seafood from Iceland, Smales and V A Whitley.

The category is the toughest of them all and there’s another round of in-depth reviews to come which will see the official judges saying ‘tartare’ to ten more of the competitors.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which organises the awards, explains the reasons for the gruelling process: “The National Fish & Chip Awards inspects entrants’ businesses to such an intricate level as there is a duty of care to ensure industry standards and practices are upheld to the highest degree.

“The ultimate goal is to produce fish and chips that customers want to eat time and time again but doing so sustainably for the environment and business longevity. Our 20 shortlisted chippies are showing their mettle, and we hope they are feeling proud to have made it this far and we are thrilled to be part of their growth experience.’’ The National Fish & Chip Awards is on February 26 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, where the Takeaway of the Year winner will be revealed.