Scotland’s ‘best’ fish and chip shop casts its net for nation’s top apprentice fish frier

A fish and chip shop and restaurant which was named the best in Scotland earlier this year is casting its net across the country in a fresh search to find its first apprentice fish frier.

East Coast Fish & Chips takeaway in Musselburgh, East Lothian, was recently named the best in Scotland and one of the top 10 in the UK by The Sunday Times. It also won the title of one of the 50 best fish and chips shops in the UK for the third year running in 2022 by leading trade publication, Fry Magazine.

Backed by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the popular chippie has now set its sights on bringing fresh talent into the industry by creating a new 12-week apprenticeship for someone looking to kick start their career at the top end of the fish and chip industry.

The ‘East Coast Fish Frier Apprenticeship’ will offer the successful applicant a rare opportunity to get hands-on experience with one of the country’s best fish and chip shops, and visit some of its local fish suppliers to learn more about selecting the best cod, haddock and shellfish, as well as intensive training on how to prepare and cook the ultimate fish supper.

Located just two minutes’ walk from Musselburgh beach on the outskirts of Edinburgh, East Coast is owned and operated by Carlo and Katia Crolla. The Crolla family has been serving the local community for nearly 50 years. Styles may change, but great flavours, family heritage and warm, friendly service remain as important to Katia and Carlo today as they did 48 years ago.

Carlo and Katia are looking to find an apprentice fish frier who is hard working, with a friendly nature, works well within a team, copes well under pressure and ultimately shows a clear passion for the fish and chip takeaway industry.

Carlo Crolla, owner of East Coast Fish & Chips takeaway in Musselburgh, said:

“We’re really excited to have teamed up with the National Federation of Fish Friers to launch our new fish frier apprenticeship.

“As well as getting hands-on experience preparing and cooking fish and chips inside our award-winning, familyrun takeaway and restaurant, the apprentice will also get the chance to learn more about the wider industry in the 12-week training period.

“It’s a physical and demanding job, but we’re a close, friendly team and we love what we do. We’re ultimately looking for someone who is up for the challenge, is friendly, hard-working, works well under pressure and is as passionate about the ultimate fish supper as we are.”

Andrew Crook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers, added:

“It’s great to see fish and chip businesses providing structured training with recognised qualifications. It is a fantastic industry to work in and gives people working in it the confidence and skills that will stay with them for life.”

East Coast is also home to an award-winning fish & chips takeaway and seafood restaurant and grill.

To apply for the East Coast Fish Frier Apprenticeship, people should email a written application to hello@ eastcoastrestaurant.co.uk by 31st August 2022.

For more information on East Coast Fish & Chips and East Coast Restaurant, visit: https://eastcoastrestaurant. co.uk and follow on social media, including Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/EastCoastMusselburgh and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eastcoastmusselburgh

For more information on the National Federation of Fish Friers, visit: www.nfff.co.uk