The Fisheries Research Development Corporation (FRDC) will host the 2019 Australian Fish and Chips Awards, an opportunity for the public to vote for their favourite fish and chippery. Good Friday is one of the busiest times for both fish and chip shops and the Australian seafood industry. In fact, the Sydney Fish Market expects more than 40,000 visitors on this day alone.

The Fish and Chips Awards are a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses as well as educating consumers on the sustainability of the Australian seafood industry and the vast range of seafood options on offer. In Australia, and many other parts of the world, fish and chips are a cultural icon, and a crowd favourite. This year’s awards will be held following the Easter rush, allowing community members from across the country to nominate their favourite fish and chippery. “We hope voters will ‘hop’ to it and cast a vote for their favourite this Easter and help find out who Australia’s favourite fish and chips shops are for 2019,” General Manager for Communication Marketing and Trade at the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Peter Hovart said.

Chef Nik Hill has had experience cooking and eating fish from all across the globe. “There is a real art to making good batter. Likewise, good chips… one thing we do a bit different to most is we make our own malt vinegar at the pub,”he said. “Tartare is okay, but I like to drown mine in malt vinegar and that’s all you need.”

Hovart said everyone has a favourite, whether it’s grilled, battered or crumbed, and that’s the best part. Community members can vote once for their favourite shop, and the voting criteria for the People’s Choice Fish & Chips Awards includes taste, service, choice, information and presentation. Voting opens Friday 19 April and ends 31 May. Stores can nominate here.

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