The Golden Fillet wins Daily Gazette fish & chip competition

The Golden Fillet has won the Daily Gazette's 'Your Favourite Fish & Chip Shop 2025' competition. <i>(Image: Gazette)</i>
The Golden Fillet has won the Daily Gazette's 'Your Favourite Fish & Chip Shop 2025' competition. (Image: Gazette)
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A Clacton-on-Sea fish and chip shop has been crowned the best in the region.

The Golden Fillet, on Frinton Road, Holland-on-Sea, has been named the winner of the Daily Gazette's 'Your Favourite Fish & Chip Shop 2025' competition.

xStaff from left to right: Emma Hickmott, Shift Runner, Ellie Tomlin, Manager, Claire Fraser, Restaurant Manager, Megan White, Assistant Manager.  (Image: Gazette) Voting took place throughout June and July, with The Golden Fillet coming out on top.

The business will receive a winner's banner, trophy, and feature story in the newspaper.

Owned by Herts & Essex Foods, a family-run business with more than 25 years of experience in the catering industry, The Golden Fillet has been a staple in the community since its purchase in early 2022.

The company ventured into the fish and chip sector in 2018 with a shop in Hertfordshire and expanded with The Golden Fillet.

The shop has now won North Essex Fish & Chip Shop of the Year twice, in 2022 and now in 2025.

Operating five shops in total, the company employs more than 50 staff, with 15 working at The Golden Fillet, including the restaurant team.

A typical Friday for the team starts at 9.30am with preparation work, including cutting more than 150 lbs of fish, preparing more than 500 lbs of potatoes, and making curry and homemade tartar sauce.

The lunchtime rush begins at noon, with the evening rush kicking in around 5pm, with queues forming and steady online orders.

The team will celebrate their win with treat hampers and vouchers.

The business will also run a special promotion throughout August, offering 40 per cent off all full-priced takeaway and restaurant items every Monday as a thank you to loyal customers.

Their focus over the next three months is on maintaining high standards during the busy summer period, launching new menu items, and investing in staff development through an in-house Fish Fryer Training Programme.

The business is also tackling rising ingredient costs by working with suppliers, streamlining operations, and reducing waste. 

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