Coatbridge chip shop scoops fish and chip shop of the year prize at the Scottish Italian awards

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Coatbridge chip shop scoops fish and chip shop of the year prize at the Scottish Italian awards

Amulti award-winning Coatbridge chip shop has tasted another success by claiming a hotly contested accolade at the Scottish Italian awards.

Tony’s Chip Shop in Shawhead was crowned as serving up Scotland’s best fish and chips – beating 26 other nominees from across the country to claim the coveted title.

It comes just five months after the popular chippie earned the title of Scotland’s fish and chip takeaway of the year at another industry ceremony, and adds to their growing string of national awards.

Lanarkshire takeaways dominated the busy fish-and-chips category at the Scottish Italian awards, as two of the four “highly recommended” spots went to nearby Marinos of Glenboig and to The Kraken Chippy in Cambuslang.

Delighted Tony’s owner Hugh Innes said he and his team at the Berwick Street takeaway are “still buzzing” after taking the coveted title, which they described as “the big one”, having been highly recommended last year.

Hugh said: “It’s an amazing achievement – we’re over the moon and so proud to be picked for Scotland’s best fish and chips, and it will take a few days for this to sink in.”

The Coatbridge chippie has been recognised in the UK’s top 50 for each of the past two years, while Hugh and colleague William Limerick also showcased their menu on BBC2 show Britain’s Top Takeaways earlier this year.

Posting on Facebook, Hugh thanked customers for their support and comments of congratulations, saying: “We are one big family at Tony’s and all you are a big part of our journey.

“Last year we were highly recommended; I looked at how can I improve on performance and waiting time, so I invested in a separate frying range for the busy time, and it has definitely made the difference.

“We have been saying for a long time that to be the best you must compete with the best; it just shows with belief, hard work and will, what have you got to lose?

The awards were presented at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Des Clarke – who said the enthusiastic response of the Tony’s team to their win “shows what it means to every single nominee” and told the assembled finalists: “You’re a credit to yourselves and your customers who put you here.”

Highly commended The Kraken Chippy shared their accolade online, and fellow runners-up Marinos said they were “absolutely delighted” by their honour, posting: “Thank you to everyone who voted for us, we are so very grateful to each and every one of you.

Have you won an award? Email austen@chippychat.co.uk

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