The owner of a Fife fish and chip shop “frying” the flag for Scotland at a major awards ceremony next week has his eyes on the prize.
Cromars, on St Andrews’ Union Street, will find out on Wednesday if it has managed to batter its opposition and be crowned the UK’s fish and chip shop of the year.
And Colin Cromar, who runs the popular establishment, is heading down to London’s Lancaster Hotel for the annual Seafish Authority Awards with his fingers firmly crossed.
“It’s the one everyone wants to win, the big one that counts the most,” he told The Courier, pointing out that the shop made the final three in the fish and chip shop restaurant of the year category last year.
“We are all very excited and can’t wait to get down to London next week to take part in the awards process.
“As one of 10 national finalists from across the country, we now have to put together and introduce a special presentation on the business which we deliver on Tuesday to a panel of top judges from across the industry.
“We don’t find out which placing we get until the actual award ceremony on the Wednesday at the Lancaster Hotel.”
Mr Cromar, who has been in the industry for 30 years, started the business with business partner William Frame, and it has been a whirlwind three years or so for him.
As a reward for his staff’s efforts, several workers will join Mr Cromar in London for the ceremony.
“We are really looking forward to it it will be a great night for us all,” he said.
“It’s very much a team effort and I want to thank my staff who put the hard work and dedication into Cromars every day.”
He added: “The town is becoming something of a foodie mecca.
“It’s great for the whole area and we do benefit enormously from the cosmopolitan feel St Andrews has, with so many visitors and people staying here from all over the world.
“I think many of the restaurants and artisan suppliers here are aware that we have a real opportunity to shine, but we have to keep standards high.”