The Fish Finger Sandwich Awards

Celebrating the nation’s love affair with Britain’s most famous teatime staple, the Fish Finger Sandwich Awards saw Birds Eye searching for the UK’s most innovative and attention-grabbing fish finger sandwich creations. Fish finger sandwiches have become a cultural phenomenon, loved by generation after generation, and are now a British institution as revered as a Sunday roast or Pimms at Wimbledon. Whilst everyone from celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Mark Hix have their own recipes, debate still rages around what makes the perfect fish finger sandwich.

The debate was put to rest at the Awards where fish finger favourites were put through their paces in a cook-off at Mark Hix’s Tramshed restaurant in East London. The finalists had to whip up their culinary masterpieces for a panel of expert judges, including Gregg Wallace (TV personality), Xanthe Clay (Daily Telegraph food writer), Jennifer Bedloe (Delicious magazine food editor), Danny Kingston (Food Urchin blogger), and ‘The Codfather’ Peter Lack (Birds Eye Head Chef).

Gabrielle was up against some tough competition in the Public category, but won the judges over with her delicious fish finger sarnie with mayo, smoked paprika, capers, lime juice, wasabi and rocket in a farmhouse bap. The judges loved her use of punchy flavours, unusual combination of ingredients and perfectly cooked fish fingers, but most notably, the way she let the fish fingers take centre stage.

Gabrielle says, “I am absolutely ecstatic and can’t quite believe it! I’ve been making my fish finger sandwich for friends and family for years, so when Birds Eye posted the competition on social media I just had to get involved. It was extremely nerve wracking to make my dish in front of the judges, but it is an amazing feeling to know they not only approve of my sarnie, but think it’s the best in the UK!”

Chris Lanyon of Chapel Café, Cornwall, took home the prestigious award for best fish finger sandwich in the food service category with his take on the humble classic – fresh Cornish Hake fillet coated in panko breadcrumbs, sandwiched between locally-made multi-seed bread and homemade tartare sauce.

Chris Lanyon says, “We’re extremely excited to take home the title for the best fish finger sandwich. We’ve worked hard over the years to perfect our take on the British classic, so it’s a great achievement for one of our favourite dishes to be recognised by Birds Eye and all the judges. We can’t wait to give our fish finger trophy pride of place in the restaurant upon our return!”

We  launched the inaugural Fish Finger Sandwich Awards to celebrate the nation’s love for one of its most popular sarnies.

Coinciding with National Sandwich Day (3rd November), the launch of the Awards provides Brits with the opportunity to be awarded the title of King or Queen of fish finger sandwiches and see their winning recipe featured on select packs of Birds Eye fish fingers.

Since Clarence Birdseye created the humble fish finger in 1955, it has become one of the nation’s best-loved and most-consumed teatime treats.

To celebrate this love, Birds Eye is giving Brits the chance to achieve fish finger fame, with the frozen food giant looking for the most innovative and attention-grabbing fish finger sandwich creations.
The Fish Finger Sandwich Awards has two categories – one for the general public and one for foodservice – with entries appraised on criteria including presentation and innovative use of ingredients.

Following an entry period of six weeks, a panel of fish finger experts will shortlist three sandwich creations from each category to go through to the Grand Final. The 2017 panel of judges consisted of:

– Television personality, Gregg Wallace
– Food Urchin culinary blogger, Danny Kingston
– Daily Telegraph food writer, Xanthe Clay
– Birds Eye head chef, Peter Lack

The winning sandwich will be appearing on our Birds Eye fish finger packaging.

Entries for this year are now closed, but stay tuned for next years competition!