The shortlist for the Best Newcomer Award at the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards has just been announced, highlighting the 10 best chippies who've only been in business since 2015. “Not only have they proven that they can rustle up the perfect combination of crispy, battered fish and fluffy chips”, says Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, but that they have “exceptionally high levels of dedication and real talent”. Has your favourite made the list?

Locals love Seafare’s gluten-free cod and chips, but there’s plenty more on the menu at this family-run spot. Scampi, veggie burgers and chicken wings are just a few of the additions to their classic fish and chips. “Quality all the way through from the welcome to service to the food itself”, says their most recent Google review.

Flipping & Frying have taken fish and chips on the road, serving a short menu of chippy favourites from their van, which is named Max. Their weekly route sees them pop up in villages between Newark-on-Trent and Lincoln, while they also cater for weddings and private events.

Set on Largs promenade, The Fish Works is run by husband and wife team Ross and Tiffany Irvin. Their emphasis is on sustainably-sourced Scottish ingredients and freshly-cooked food, with the langoustines for their scampi caught daily just off the coast. Other more unusual additions to a menu of chip shop classics include panko lemon sole, black pudding fritters and ‘five quid squid’.

This Monmouthshire chippy has already appeared on the Hairy Bikers’ TV show and gained a reputation for their freshly-cooked cod, plaice and haddock. Ingredients are locally sourced and customers claim their secret batter recipe can’t be beaten. “Absolutely fabulous chippy”, says one reviewer on Google.

Set up by potato merchant Richard Foster and his wife Josette, Fish and Chips @ Weston Grove use only sustainably-sourced Icelandic cod and haddock, while Richard also supplies potatoes to other award-winning chip shops in the northeast. Their menu includes gluten-free options, spam fritters and homemade fishcakes.

With views over Gourdon harbour and the North Sea, this restaurant and chippy has already garnered a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Their lobster, sweet potato fries and homemade onion rings are just a few of the dishes reviewers have praised on Facebook.

You won't just find cod and chips at this chippy, right by Chesil Beach. Line-caught hake, tempura scallops and mackerel in a lime-coriander batter are just a few of the dishes to grace their menu recently. They also pride themselves on cooking without palm oil.

Former teacher Alex Papaioannou and ex-Asda buyer Hannah Hall took over this shop last year, and they’ve received a slew of great reviews ever since. They say their goal is to be the best in the country – and they’re already on their way to achieving it. Customers rave about their light and crispy batter, great service and grease-free chips.

The second Cirencester chippie to make this shortlist, Malt and Anchor serve fish and chips both to take away, or eat in their restaurant. Customers love their homemade tartar sauce and their Monday and Wednesday deal that includes a bottle of prosecco and two portions of fish and chips for £23. They’re also the only Marine Stewardship Council-certified restaurant in the town.

It’s not all about cod and haddock at Stone’s, where they’re also known for their homemade pies, chicken drumsticks and BBQ thighs. All fish is cooked to order and their potatoes are sourced from nearby Manor Farm in Ruislip. “Curry sauce was good too and that's coming from a fussy northerner!”, says their latest review.

The winner of the Best Newcomer Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards on 25 January 2018. If you liked this, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more great food stories.