Ocean and Paddock crowned WA’s champion chippy

Albany’s Ocean and Paddock has dethroned cross-town rival Hooked on Middleton Beach as WA’s champion chippy.

Ocean and Paddock was named the best fish and chips restaurant in the State at the WA Seafood Industry Awards in Fremantle tonight.

The award is decided by undercover judges who base their overall scores on five categories — taste (40 per cent), service (30 per cent), choice (10 per cent), information (10 per cent) and presentation (10 per cent).

Pinjarra Fish and Chips received this year’s “people’s choice” award for winning the popular vote online.

Last year, Ocean and Paddock took people’s choice honours, while Hooked on Middleton Beach — which is about 800m away — won the overall judges’ choice award.

Hooked on Middleton Beach then went on to win the ultimate prize, earning the title of Australia’s best fish and chips restaurant by beating the nation’s other judges’ choice winners.

But Hooked came away empty-handed in 2019.

Ocean and Paddock, owned by Trenton and Rebecca Brennan, is now in the running to be named national champions.

A poll on the Albany Advertiser Facebook page last month painted a picture of a town divided, with 51 per cent of 2200 votes backing Ocean and Paddock over Hooked.

The WA Seafood Industry Awards were hosted by WA Fishing Industry Council at the Esplanade Hotel, where Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly gave an opening address.

WAFIC chair Ron Edwards said WA’s seafood sector was a shining example of the State’s ability to deliver a world-class, sustainable food industry.

“I am impressed at the scope and diversity of this year’s nominees,” Mr Edwards said.

“They reflect an adaptive, innovative and environmentally responsible WA primary industry; an industry of which we can all be proud.”