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Two Caerphilly County Borough fish and chip shops are going head-to-head to be named the UK’s best.

Maesycwmmer’s Fish Kitchen 1854 and Trethomas’ Ship Deck have both been named top 20 finalists for Takeaway of the Year in the National Fish and Chips Awards 2023.

To make the shortlist, judges carefully considered applicants as well as using mystery shoppers to test out the food and service.

Andrew Crook, President at the NFFF, said: “The top 20 really demonstrate a strong commitment to the fish and chip industry and to the British public, so we’re thrilled to see so many shortlisted from across the country. Congratulations to everyone involved, this is a massive achievement in itself.”

The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), will announce the top ten towards the end of 2022 before the winner is announced in Park Plaza, London, on February 28, 2023.

Ship Deck

Partners Ryan and Kimberly Hughes opened Ship Deck three years ago after working in various chip shops in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Kimberly explained to Caerphilly Observer how difficult it has been to get to this point.

She said: “We applied three months ago and the whole thing has been a long process.

“It’s more than just the taste of the food. You are assessed on the quality of your ingredients, the sustainability of your shop, and of course your knowledge of the industry.”

Kimberly’s husband, Ryan, is more involved in the food part of the shop, winning Young Fish Frier of the Year in 2019. He has been in the industry since the age of 15 and is described by Kimberly as the “bread and butter” of the business.

“We were over the moon when we found out we’d been shortlisted”, said Kimberly. “We did things our way and it’s amazing to see the hard work pay off”, she added.

Although Kimberly is happy with how far they have come, she believes Ship Deck can go all the way. She said: “We 100% want to win everything. We’ve got through a tough couple of years with Covid and we’re going for it.”

Fish Kitchen 1854

Only 15 minutes up the valley are fellow finalists, Fish Kitchen 1854. They too are a relatively new business, set up four years ago by headteacher of Pencoedtre High, Lee Humphreys and wife, Samantha.

Fish Kitchen 1854 are particularly proud of their part in the community. The date in their name comes from the year that the Maesycwmmer Viaduct was created during the industrial revolution, supporting families in the area who would ship coal across the bridge via train.

Lee told Caerphilly Observer how the couple had been ‘holding their breath’ before finding out they had made the top 20.

He said: “To be recognised as such a young business is fantastic for us and the community.

“We’ve had great support from our customers and the community so this is dream come true stuff.”

Asked for the secret to a good fish and chip shop, Lee said it’s all about “keeping it simple”. He added: “We source the best ingredients possible. We buy the best potatoes and the most expensive fish – which are extremely expensive at the moment.

“It’s all worth it though because people appreciate it. We cook with passion and serve with a smile.”

Although Lee insists simplicity is best, the couple have been extremely creative over the past few years, setting up themed menus during the Six Nations is just one example of how Fish Kitchen keep things ‘fresh’.

This included cooking frogs legs when Wales played France and a ‘Scottish Box’ with haggis and mackerel when they faced Scotland.

“We like to try and provide an experience”, said Lee. “It has been a heck of a journey and we can’t wait to keep growing.”

That growth has already allowed the pair to buy a new property in Bargoed, where they plan to open a sit down seafood restaurant called ‘Fish Kitchen 1931’, by early next year.