THE Bearded Sailor on Robin Lane in Pudsey is celebrating after being recognised with the prestigious National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) Fish & Chip Quality Award.

The award identifies outlets that serve the highest quality fish and chips following a thorough assessment of the premises, equipment, working practices, hygiene standards and management controls, along with the quality and taste of cooked fish and chips.

The Bearded Sailor owner Alex Papaioannou said: “We are very pleased to receive this prestigious award.

"To be recognised as one of the top fish and chip shops by the NFFF is indeed an honour and a credit to our hardworking staff.

"I would like to offer my sincere thanks for their continued hard work and efforts to maintain our excellent reputation.

"The award doesn't just represent the fish and chips we produce, but also the hard work and high quality produce our local suppliers provide us to work with.”

The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the trade body that represents the nation’s fish and chip shops, runs the scheme as a way of raising standards within the trade and enhancing the profile of the industry.

The scheme is a way of rewarding and promoting shops that provide good quality products and high standards of hygiene, as well as friers who show a high level of competence.

To qualify, each shop has to go through an inspection by an NFFF Approved Assessor, who assesses the shop’s presentation, hygiene and cleanliness, staff training, equipment, frying and sales skills and the quality of the cooked product.

Each Fish & Chip Quality Award is valid for two years and retention is dependent on standards being maintained as validated by NFFF officials and appointed assessors.

NFFF President Andrew Crook explained: "The NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award assessment is extremely comprehensive.

"Food safety is a key area that we examine, together with other key aspects of the business, including the preparation and cooking equipment, to the management of paperwork and the traceability of fish.

He added: "The Bearded Sailor clearly takes pride in where it sources its fish and potatoes from.

"Achieving the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award provides reassurance to customers that they are being served cooked food using high-quality ingredients.”

Currently, around 225 fish and chip outlets across the country have been recognised with the NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award.

The award continues a successful period for the Bearded Sailor.

It was named the Yorkshire Evening Post Chippy of the Year in 2016, and was a finalist in the Best Newcomer Award at the National Fish and Chip Awards in 2018.

For more information contact Alex Papaioannou on 01132574121 or email him at apapaioannou83@gmail.com