‘Batter up’: Great Australian Fish and Chip Awards to return in 2021
In celebration of International Fish and Chip Day this Friday, June 4, Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) has announced the Great Australian Fish and Chip Awards will return in 2021.
“We are excited to take over the leadership and management of the annual awards from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) who established them in 2017,” SIA Communications Manager Jessica McInerney said.
“The much loved awards will be renamed The Great Australian Fish and Chip Awards, to align with the industry’s brand, Great Australian Seafood, which was launched last year as a COVID-19 recovery response.
“The awards were not held last year due to COVID, however they’ll be back up and running, and batter (sic) than ever in 2021. The FRDC has done a wonderful job establishing them for industry, and we thank them for their hard work.
“The Great Australian Fish and Chip Awards will continue the search for Australia’s best fish and chips. The national competition is set to kick off on October 19 to celebrate International Seafood Day, with the national winner announced in December.
“In every town, across every state and territory, people spruik their fish and chips as number one, so let’s put them to the test.
“We’re in the process of finalising the details of this year’s awards to ensure they can go ahead in a COVID-responsible manner. But, what I can tell you is we’ll be looking for proper country of origin labelling on menus – close to 70% of seafood eaten in Australia is imported so it’s important we get consumers asking for Aussie seafood.
“We want to see fish species labelled and identified correctly as according to the Fish Names Standards. And most importantly, we are looking for crisp, golden fish batter or crumbing, and crunchy, creamy fries with just the right amount of salt.
“There might even be bonus points for shops using some of our underutilised, but just as tasty, species on their menus. Things like Oceanjacket, Black Bream, Boarfish or Mackerel.
“The 2019 fry-off reeled in more than 100,000 votes, across 800 stores, and this year we have our sights set on more. People will have a chance to mullet (sic) over their favourite store ahead of the October voting kick-off.
“Friday nights have long been the one day Aussie’s share fish and chips with the fam, so today, on International Fish and Chip Day, we encourage everyone to take the night off from the kitchen, support their local takeaway store and fishers, and enjoy some Great Australian Fish and Chips. It might not be glamorous, but it sure is delicious.”
For more information on the Awards go to www.fishandchipsawards.com.au
The 2020-110: Fish and Chips Awards 2021 is supported by funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government
Great Australian Fish and Chip Awards 2019 winners
National Judged Winner
- QLD – Tobin Fish Tales, Townsville
State and Territory Judges Choice Award Winners
- NSW – Pelican Rocks Seafood Restaurant and Café, Greenwell Point
- NT – Frying Nemo Fish and Chippery, Darwin
- QLD – Tobin Fish Tales, Townsville
- SA – Stunned Mullet, Henley Beach and Fish Out of Water, Hyde Park
- TAS – Mures Lower Deck, Hobart
- VIC – The Golden Flake, St Leonards
- WA – Ocean and Paddock, Albany
State and Territory People’s Choice Award Winners
- NSW – Pelican Rocks Seafood Restaurant and Café, Greenwell Point
- NT – Frying Nemo Fish and Chippery, Darwin
- QLD – Costa’s Seafood Cafe, Capalaba
- SA – Dolphin Fish Shop and Take Away, Netley
- TAS – Fraggles Fish and Chips, Launceston
- VIC – Trident Fish Bar, Queenscliff
- WA – Pinjarra Fish and Chips, Pinjarra
Have a browse through the top 40 People’s Choice for each state and territory here. Click here to find a Great Australian Fish and Chip shop near you.
