News: Rotherham restaurant named as one of UK's top chip shops

A Rotherham restaurant is in the running for a top industry award having made the shortlist for the UK’s best restaurants in The National Fish & Chip Awards.

Whitby's at Catcliffe opened in 2011, a new build site at Poplars Business Park which includes an eat-in restaurant which can seat 180 customers, alongside a traditional takeaway.

Restaurant of the Year is the title that ten deserving outlets are hoping to take away at the 2026 edition of the industry’s premier award ceremony. In recognition of amazing food, passion for the sector, quality and high-level commitment to serving customers the best of the best, the category entrants will be on the edge of their seats as the competition heats up.

The adjudicating panel has designed a detailed review process that will grade the participants against benchmarks that reinforce best practice and professional integrity to keep standards at the highest levels.

The Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year category is open to all bona fide independent fish and chip restaurants in the UK.

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Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which runs the flagship event, said: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK high street, and they provide the kind of opportunity, variety and individuality that boosts economies and brings us all together, and we are taking this opportunity to champion this year’s standout restaurants.

“The shortlisted 10 are making long-lasting contributions to uphold the great British institution of fish and chips, whether it’s with a traditional take or elevated to fine dining status. Sitting down at the table with family or friends to enjoy a fantastic meal is where memories are made and it’s wonderful to see these restaurants creating shared experiences across multi-generations with great precision. I have a feeling that Restaurant of Year is going to be a tough one to separate the winner – all the best to our contenders!”

After judges have assessed every part of their businesses, the highest scoring five will progress to the semi-finals which will be announced later this year. The Top 5 will receive an unannounced visit and taste test by an industry specialist, with the overall winner to be crowned on 25 February 2026 at the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge.

Whitby's has two South Yorkshire restaurants, in Rotherham and Doncaster. Executives behind the business include Lord Kirkham, the founder of furniture chain, DFS, and James Foers of local construction contracting firm, Foers.

Whitbys at Rotherham was a 2024/25 Good Food Award winner – Gold Seal.

Whitby's website

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News: Rotherham restaurant is one of UK's top chip shops

A Rotherham restaurant has been named as one of the top 60 fish and chip takeaways in the UK.

Whitby's at Catcliffe is in the Top 60 recently announced as part of the National Fish and Chip Awards 2020 organised by Seafish. It is the only one in South Yorkshire to make the list.

Opening in 2011, the new build site at Poplars Business Park includes an eat-in restaurant which can seat 180 customers, alongside a traditional takeaway.

Developed and built by Foers Contracts and designed by Freeman Associates, the two-storey building has a footprint of around 6,000 sq ft.

Nominees are appraised in key areas that highlight best practice against a range of criteria - with mystery dining judges attending the shops to asses a number of factors including sustainable sourcing practices, customer service, staff training and the overall quality of the fish and chips.

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There are a number of rigorous judging stages to overcome en route to being named the best fish and chip shop in the UK. Whitby's made it to the Top 20 in 2017 but has missed out this year.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive officer at Seafish, said: "Every summer we look forward to starting our search for the UK's best fish and chip shop and this award showcases the best in the business. Shops have been entering the competition since May and these Top 60 takeaways have demonstrated real commitment to quality in all areas and worked tirelessly to earn their place on this list. I would recommend a visit to them all!"

Seafish is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) set up by the Fisheries Act 1981 to improve efficiency and raise standards across the seafood industry.

Whitby's has two South Yorkshire restaurants, in Rotherham and Doncaster. Executives behind the business include Lord Kirkham, the founder of furniture chain, DFS, and James Foers of local construction contracting firm, Foers.

Whitby's website

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News: Rotherham restaurant frying high

Whitby's in Rotherham has been named as one of the best fish and chip restaurants in the country.

Opening in Catcliffe in 2011, the new build site at Poplars Business Park includes an eat-in restaurant which can seat 180 customers, alongside a traditional takeaway.

Developed and built by Foers Contracts and designed by Freeman Associates, the two-storey building has a footprint of around 6,000 sq ft, with on-site parking facilities providing 77 spaces.

The Rotherham restaurant has now been named as one of the UK's top 20 fish and chip restaurants as part of the 30th anniversary National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

To reach this stage of the competition, the 20 restaurants have been assessed against a wide variety of judging criteria, including menu development and innovation, responsible sourcing policies, staff training and development processes and marketing and promotional activity.

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Over the coming weeks, judges will make unannounced visits to respective restaurants to undertake mystery dining assessments. This next stage of competition judging will whittle down the shortlist and establish the top five fish and chip restaurants that will compete for the overall national title to be presented at the awards ceremony in London on January 25 2018. It is one of 15 categories in the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, said: "With the popularity of fast casual dining on the increase, the fish and chip restaurant experience has now come up to par with the traditional fish and chip takeaway, and we are seeing a whole host of innovative and forward thinking outlets come to the fore.

"The rigorous judging process behind this award ensures that not only the quality of the fish and chips being plated up is of the highest standard, but that the restaurants are offering customer dining experiences that are second to none.

"The top 20 restaurants should be extremely proud of their achievements and I congratulate them all."

Seafish is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) set up by the Fisheries Act 1981 to improve efficiency and raise standards across the seafood industry.

Whitby's has two South Yorkshire restaurants, in Rotherham and Doncaster. Executives behind the business include Lord Kirkham, the founder of furniture chain, DFS, and James Foers of local construction contracting firm, Foers.

Whitby's website

Images: Whitby's

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