'I made a career from fish and chips'

A 23-year-old woman has urged young people to consider working in a chip shop as a career option.

Georgia Lye, who manages Seafare Guilford in Surrey, said a lot of younger staff at her chippy "are just here part time and don't really see it being a career".

"I was the same when I was younger," she added, "but the industry really encouraged me.

"Now I'm doing really well from it."

Lye, who started working on the counter of her father's chip shop at the age of 14, said young people could be dissuaded from a chip shop career.

"A lot of teachers kind of drill into you that you need to go to university [and] get a degree," she said.

She has now reached the semi-final of the Young Fish Frier of the Year category at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2027.

The third-generation chip shop manager said: "It feels great to be recognised for something I feel so passionate about.

"It's great to push you to try and achieve and do better."

Lye, who works alongside her two siblings, said: "Food is our top priority", adding that managing the family-run shop could be "challenging".

"It can be very busy at some times... and it's challenging to also manage the staff as well as deliver 10-out-of-10 service constantly," she said.

"But it's all worth it."

She said the secret to a good ship was "definitely fresh ingredients and cooking little and often so food remains fresh".

"I'm still quite young now, but hopefully in the next few years I'll take over the shop and ideally run it with my brother and my sister," she said.

"It's been in my family since 1981."

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