What a start to the New Year it’s been for David Hanbury and his staff at Hanbury’s Fish and Chips in Babbacombe, Torquay.  On Tuesday 17 January, at a prestigious awards ceremony at London’s Park Plaza Hotel, they scooped second place in the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year as well as being runners up in the Restaurant category.  This follows on from winning the South West Takeaway section of the competition at the end of last year.

 The award was presented by celebrity chef Richard Corrigan who said “Combining heritage with innovation, skill with approach, attention to detail with great produce, Hanbury’s is deserving of their title as one of the UK’s best fish and chip takeaways.  A brilliant execution”.

David Hanbury is thrilled with their achievement and said “This award is a wonderful way for us to start 2012.  We pride ourselves on real quality both in terms of our food and our service.  We believe that our customers know that but it is satisfying to have it recognised by others within the industry who visit so many fish and chip shops across Britain.”  Shops were assessed on a wide variety of judging criteria including product quality, customer service, food preparation procedures, hygiene, innovation, staff training and development, promotional activity and approaches to sustainable sourcing.  There was also a presentation to the judging panel by Hanbury’s General Manager, Jake Thorn.

Whilst Hanbury’s is well-known locally for its fish and chips, it’s almost as well-known these days for all its fund-raising for local charities.  David Hanbury said “2012 is going to be incredibly busy for us.  I’m currently working on two major events to be held in June.  We’re planning a stunning Las Vegas Night on Saturday 23 June as well as the ever-popular Hanbury’s Fish and Chips on the Downs Music Festival on Sunday 24 June.”  Both these events will take place in a spectacular marquee on Babbacombe Downs as part of the Babbacombe Festival and are to raise funds for local charity, the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network. 

In the meantime, David and his team are back home from the bright lights of the big city and doing what they do best…. making great fish and chips.