Gavin Dhillon and his team at Chip & Fish in Longbenton are celebrating after their chippy was named Best Fish and Chip Shop in the North East at the inaugural English Fish and Chip Awards. The award, presented at a black-tie ceremony in Manchester, recognises the family's three-decade commitment to the trade.
Family legacy of 30 years
The Dhillon family's fish and chip story began in 1996 when Gavin's late father, Suki, opened the first Dhillon's chippy in Hebburn. Since then, the family has expanded to run 54 chippies across the region. Gavin grew up watching his dad at the fryer and his mother serving customers, inheriting the same recipe that remains in use today.
"I know my dad would be really happy," Gavin told ChronicleLive. "Thirty years after my dad opened the first one, with Dhillon's in Throckley and Prudhoe following shortly after, we're still going and we're still using the same recipe. The only thing is that three decades down the line a lot changes, so now it's all more about sustainability and helping the environment, so that's what we aim to focus on a lot more now."
Award win boosts business
Chip & Fish also won Fish and Chip Shop of the Year at the North of England Prestige Awards in the same week. The English Fish and Chip Awards win has already brought a surge in customers, including visitors from as far as Corbridge and Manchester.
"It's unbelievable!" Gavin said. "Now the market is so competitive, so to receive an award like that means you're a step above the rest, we've earned that, we've got that badge now and we wear it with pride. Since we got that award two weeks ago, the amount of new faces we've seen come through the doors has been unbelievable. I was speaking to a guy the other night who drove from Corbridge, which is obviously quite a distance away. He drove past two other of our fish shops to come to this one. One of the lads in here was talking to someone visiting Newcastle from Manchester who'd read about our award win and travelled here to try our fish and chips. It's a massive boost for business."
Competition in the region
The shortlist for Best Fish and Chip Shop in the North East included other renowned chippies such as Fisherman's Bay in Whitley Bay and Shields Row Chippy in County Durham. Chip & Fish, which opened in 2021 as the country emerged from the Covid pandemic, stood out among these heavyweights.
The English Fish and Chip Awards were created to celebrate the industry's leading lights, honouring Britain's best-loved dish. Chip & Fish's win underscores the family's enduring legacy and commitment to quality.
