A teenage Speyside fryer is in the running to claim the crown of serving up the best fish supper in the UK.
Elise Boothroyd has been named in the top five of the national competition to find the best pair of hands behind the counter.
Far from feeling the heat, the 16-year-old from Fochabers is relishing the challenge of showing her place in the final is no red herring.
She said: “I was so overwhelmed. I wasn’t expecting it at all. Everyone else in the competition was so talented.
“There’s a lot more to it than people think. As well as the preparation of the food you’ve also got to show you’re good at the business side.
“I really love it. I enjoy it when the customers come in and being able to give them a good fish supper.”
Elise started washing pots at the Fish Bar two years ago before graduating to serving customers and now preparing the meals.
The teenager, who left school in the summer, is already eyeing up a career in the fish and chip industry and has intentions of taking over her father’s Fochabers Fish Bar in the future.
Mystery shoppers will visit the chipper in the coming weeks to meticulously the chips and fish Elise is putting on the plate. The teenager will also be subjected to a gruelling interview by industry experts to see how she measures up against the rest of the talent.
To get this far the young fryer has already had to travel to Leeds and Holland to show her passion and knowledge for the industry – as well as demonstrating her skills at the fryer.
Father Darren Boothroyd said: “When the phone call came I could physically see my heart beating out of my chest. I think I was more nervous about it than she was. I’m really proud though.
“The competition is for people up to 25 years old – she’s by far the youngest person in the final so it really is a fantastic achievement. I know I have a background in it but she’s got up and did it all herself.”
The winner of the competition will be announced at a ceremony in London in January.
