Somewhere Else Fishy in Sherborne has been named among the UK’s top 20 fish and chip takeaways.
The Westbridge Park chippy is one of the 20 semi-finalists for Takeaway of the Year in the National Fish & Chip Awards, announced on 27 October.
The awards are run by the National Federation of Fish Friers, and the organisers call them “the industry’s official awards”.
Somewhere Else Fishy is the only shop from Dorset in the top 20, which also includes chippies in Glastonbury, Eastleigh, Oxford and Blackpool.
How Somewhere Else Fishy reached the top 20
The shop was first named in a longlist of 40 takeaways from across the UK in September.
The organisers said the businesses on that longlist had “impressed judges with their outstanding food quality, customer service, industry expertise and commitment to sustainable practices”.
Entry is free, and the federation says shortlisted shops “face thorough vetting”.
“Whittling down the longlist of 40 to our Takeaway of the Year top 20 has been a very difficult task,” said the federation’s president, Andrew Crook.
“Every one of them brings their own unique qualities, strengths and something extra special to the table,” he added.
In the next round, judges will look at every part of each business, from product knowledge and sourcing to customer service.
The final 10 will be named in December.
The winner of Takeaway of the Year will be announced at a ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London on 24 February.
Where to find Somewhere Else Fishy
Somewhere Else Fishy is at Unit 2, Westbridge Park, Sherborne, DT9 6AW.
It is the Sherborne branch of Something Else Fishy, which has its shop and restaurant at 1 High Street in Milborne Port.
The business shared the news on its website: “We have been very fortunate that Sherborne has been selected as one of the top 20 fish & chip shops in the country.”
“We are all very excited and are keeping our fingers crossed for the next round,” it added.
The Sherborne shop is open for takeaway from 5pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a Thursday lunchtime opening from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
On Friday and Saturday it opens from 11.30am to 1.30pm and again from 5pm to 8.30pm.
The business says it is “committed to only buying fish & seafood that has been fished responsibly and within quotas to sustain stocks”.
Its own summing-up is short: “We’re not your average fish & chip shop, we are Something Else!”
Have you eaten at Somewhere Else Fishy? Tell us in the comments.
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