ONE of Teignbridge’s most beloved fish and chip establishments made the final three at an awards ceremony celebrating the very best of the English staple.

Representatives from Newton Abbot’s very own Jacksons Fish & Chips made the trip to the capital for the National Federation of Fish Friers’ Fish and Chip Awards 2023.

Jacksons, which is headed up by the Quelvennec family, were rubbing shoulders with fellow industry aficionados, Stones Fish & Chips from Acton and The Chesterford Group from Bishops Stortford, for the Staff Training and Development Award.

The category sought that fish and chip business which offers its employees the best training and career prospects.

Alas, Jacksons did not quite make the catch, losing out to The Chesterford Group. But a place in the final three is more than admirable.

Jacksons’ Claire Quelvennec said: ‘We were proud to be in the top three finalists in our category at the National Fish & Chips Awards 2023.  

‘The awards ceremony was truly amazing and there were almost 600 people present from nominees, to board members, suppliers and representatives from Iceland and Norway who supply our nation with the world’s finest sustainable cod and haddock.  

‘Standards were high and competition was fierce and although we didn’t win 1st place this year, we look forward to rising to the challenge and entering again next year. 

‘And of course we have National Fish & Chip day on Fryday 2 June 2023 to look forward to in the meantime!’

Whether the fish and chip shop, in Queen Street, Newton Abbot, won its category or not mattered little to its wide customer base, whose love for the establishment poured in on Facebook and elsewhere.

In their eyes, it would be fair to say, Jacksons is number one.