With the National Fish and Chip Awards 2026 only days away, we caught up with Will from Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington, Co. Durham — last year’s winner of Takeaway of the Year — to find out what life has looked like since taking home the industry’s biggest prize.
“What a year it’s been!”
Since winning the award last February, everything has changed — both for the business and for Will personally.
After the awards, the team hit the ground running. Diaries quickly filled with events, and the shop was bursting at the seams as customers travelled from near and far to try what had officially been crowned the best fish and chips in the country. Local and national newspapers came calling, food bloggers lined up to review the menu, and the attention didn’t slow down for months.
Big industry celebration days like Good Friday, VE Day, and National Fish and Chip Day were busier than ever, bringing huge queues, packed counters, and a real buzz in the shop as customers came to celebrate Britain’s favourite dish.
In May, Will was invited to the Seafood from Norway Inspiration Day, held at the Norwegian Ambassador’s Residence in London. He was asked to sit on the panel for a Q&A session — an honour for Will, and an amazing opportunity to represent both Yarm Road and the nation’s most loved meal.
Also in May, Graeme headed to Iceland alongside other finalists on what can only be described as the trip of a lifetime.
Then in June, Graeme travelled to Norway with the other award winners. Hosted by Seafood from Norway, the group was welcomed aboard a Norwegian fishing vessel and given a first-hand insight into the world of sustainable fishing — an unforgettable experience and a reminder of the importance of quality sourcing.
Graeme was barely home when Yarm Road hit another major milestone. In June, the team hosted the official launch of the National Fish and Chip Awards 2026 in their brand-new restaurant.
The restaurant — an extension of their already hugely successful takeaway — had been in development for some time. Before officially opening to the public, it welcomed key figures from across the industry, as the competition was launched in style.
And on 21st July, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived: the grand opening.
The new restaurant space is a modern, welcoming setting, giving customers the chance to enjoy Yarm Road’s award-winning fish and chips in a whole new way.
After months of non-stop work balancing both the restaurant and takeaway, Will and Graeme jetted off to Japan, where they took part in a major event celebrating British food — serving up fish and chips to huge crowds. And it turns out the Japanese couldn’t get enough, with portions flying out as fast as they could cook them.
And it wasn’t just the business that changed…
Away from the fryer, Will recently got married and has welcomed a new baby , and he is now back at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2026 after being shortlisted for the Training and Development Award — capping off a remarkable period both personally and professionally.
As the countdown to the National Fish and Chip Awards 2026 continues, one thing is clear: the past year has been a whirlwind — but Yarm Road Fish and Chips has only gone from strength to strength.
And with another award nomination under their belt, Will and the team are proving they’re not just last year’s winners… they’re still very much the ones to watch.
