Experience cooking fish and chips, knowledge of the industry, and good-quality ingredients are the keys to success for Surrey’s best chippy. This is according to the takeaway’s Georgia Lye who has been shortlisted among the UK’s best young fish friers and top in the county by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF).
The 19-year-old – who is a month short of her 20th birthday – has already worked in the fish and chip industry for nearly six years. Now she says she is keen to continue the more than four decades of work done by family-run Seafare on Worplesdon Road in Guildford.
Georgia told SurreyLive: “It’s a family-run business and I want to keep it in the family. I want to take over.” She continued: “It’s already been 42 years, so [I want to] keep it [going for] longer.”
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Fresh produce and a team of well-trained staff were also highlighted by the 19-year-old as part of the fish and chip shop’s acclaimed formula which has led to its inclusion in two NFFF’s award categories for 2024. On its website, Seafare also boasts previous awards including in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023.
Georgia described the night she found out she had been shortlisted and said: “I remember checking my emails at like 10 minutes past 12, near midnight and the email had been sent at one minute past midnight. I called my dad straight away because I just couldn’t believe I got in the top 10.”
Dad and owner of Seafare, Corin Lye, had high praise for his daughter and said: “I’m so proud. I can’t put into words how proud I am of her. She’s only just coming up to 20 next month and she’s so mature, hard-working, and dedicated for her age.
“She’s just unreal, to be honest. If that’s the future of fish frying and the business, I’m very lucky.” He added that Seafare and all of its staff have become “very much part of the community”.
Georgia has worked at Seafare since she learned to drive at age 17 and began her career at another chippy beforehand, she said she is excited to represent the next generation of the industry. She is one of an eight-strong team and currently works five days a week, but six when needed. Seafare was established by Corin’s uncle in 1981.
She added: “We get very nice customers and it makes the job worth it. We get our regulars coming in. I enjoy frying and enjoy the job.”
The Young Fish Frier of the Year category has returned for 2024 after a three-year hiatus and hopes once again to highlight the craft and hard work of young people in the fish and chip industry. NFFF president and award organiser, Andrew Cook, said: “This award is always one of the top highlights for the judges. The level of understanding and proficiency displayed by these young professionals is a strong indicator of where the industry is heading, and it’s full of promise.”
He continued: “Being able to encourage and support young fish friers from the first stages of their careers and seeing them flourish is a great privilege.” Managing director of Dyrwhite and sponsor of the award, Kelvin Lee, added: “The calibre of young talent coming through the industry is amazing and the shortlisted group has so much potential.”
Entrants for the Young Fish Frier of the Year 2024 award were all younger than 25 years old but had to have a minimum of six months’ unsupervised frying experience under their belts. A second round to the process will include a live virtual interview frying challenge in front of a judging panel.
The six best will then progress to the next stage with visits to their respective shops. The award’s winner will be announced in London on February 28 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
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Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
