A Derbyshire chip shop has been ranked among the very best across the UK - and will be bidding to claim a major industry accolade.

The owner of a popular Derbyshire chip shop has expressed his pride after reaching the final of a prestigious industry award.

Chesters at Vale is celebrating after being shortlisted for the Restaurant of the Year at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2027.

The sister restaurant to the much-loved Chesters on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield opened back in 2023 at the Markham Vale services site, located at Junction 29A of the M1.

Owner Chris Ioannides said that the Chesters team were proud to have been ranked among the best fish and chip restaurants across the entirety of the UK.

He said: “We’re full of pride to have this recognition and this award, it gives us something back after what we’ve been through.

“We built the new branch at Markham Vale during Covid-19, so we went through real struggles to get it open. It’s been an awful time for this trade and hospitality has suffered so much over the last few years.

“It means even more to us, because we know that our hard work is being seen throughout the industry.”

Chris said that being ranked in the top 10 for this award had already had a boost for the business - with people visiting from across the country to praise the quality of food being served up at Chesters.

He said: “Normally, you have quite a few from places like Whitby and Scotland in the top 10. For 2027, you have us, along with a couple in Rotherham and Nottingham. It’s nice to have great fish and chips in this side of the country and for us to get recognised - it’s not just places at the seaside.

“This award gives us recognition and puts us on the map for people across the UK. There’s a lot of people who follow the top 10. A lot of people wanted to know where the drive-through fish and chips were - we’ve had a lot of people coming off the M1 to visit us over the last two weeks.

“We had someone from Wolverhampton last week who said it was the best fish and chips he’s had in the country, and we had someone from as far as Southampton who stopped and again said the same thing. It’s nice to hear that praise, with people stopping and giving us great feedback.

“The location there is great as well. With the EV charging units, it’s a place where you can stop, charge your car, have a service break and have something to eat that isn’t your normal thing. It’s not a Greggs, McDonald’s or KFC - it’s traditional British fish and chips and we offer something different to those. I think people are taking advantage of that now.”

Chris Ioannides, pictured here at the Sheffield Road restaurant in Chesterfield, said that people were already travelling from across the country to visit the Chesters branch at Markham Vale.

placeholder image — Chris Ioannides, pictured here at the Sheffield Road restaurant in Chesterfield, said that people were already travelling from across the country to visit the Chesters branch at Markham Vale.

For those who enjoy a traditional flavour to their fish and chips, Chesters is cooking up the popular dish in beef dripping on Mondays and Tuesdays - while Chris said that it was important to offer a range of options for people with a range of dietary requirements.

He said: “We’ve launched the option for fish and chips cooked in beef dripping on Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as the usual vegetable oil option being available too. In the future, we’re looking at having both beef dripping and vegetable oil available every day of the week.

“We’re one of the only places that can offer both, and we also have vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. We have something for everyone to choose from. I know how hard it is when people go out for a meal with certain allergies or preferences - so when they come to eat with us, we can accommodate everybody.”

The Restaurant of the Year will be announced in February 2027 - with Chesters set to be assessed by a number of industry experts.

Chris said: “The winner will be chosen by specialists that work within the industry, food critics and judges. We’re now going through a process where we’ll have secret shoppers, and we’ll have various Zoom calls during service so they can see how we operate behind the kitchen.

“After that process, they’ll eliminate restaurants and get down to the final five - and the overall winner will be announced in February next year.”

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which organises the event, said that the awards bring the industry together to celebrate the very best businesses across the country.

He added: “Choosing our top 10 Restaurant of the Year shortlist is one of the most rewarding parts of the competition, and this year’s participants are showcasing remarkable skill, commitment and innovation. Their achievements highlight the excellent standards being set by businesses that continue to raise the bar.

“Their success is not only a testament to their hard work but also highlights the incredible opportunities available for people looking to build rewarding careers. The National Fish & Chip Awards is proud to celebrate the businesses, teams and individuals who make our industry so dynamic, while shining a light on the varied roles that underpin their success.

“From developing culinary skills and customer service expertise to building careers in business management and leadership, these restaurants offer an exciting future for the next generation of talent.”

The chosen 10 will now progress to the next round, with the final five to be announced later this year. The overall winner will be crowned on February 24 2027 at the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London.