For the third year in a row Pelican Rocks Cafe at Greenwell Point can boast having the best fish and chips in NSW.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The cafe run by Sam and Rebecca Cardow has scooped the pool at the third annual NSW section of the Australian Fish and Chips Awards, run by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, announced on Thursday night in Sydney.
Pelican Rocks claimed both the people's choice award and the judges' awards.
"It's incredible," said proud owner Sam Cardow.
The awards were announced as part of the Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence Awards where 14 key categories across the seafood industry were recognised.
"To take out both gongs was exceptional," Mr Cardow said.
Read more:
"To win the people'e choice was special and then to take out the judges' award on top just capped an incredible night."
They beat other NSW finalists Laurieton Riverside Seafoods, Lifeboat Seafood Brooklyn, Beach Street Foods Forster and The Fish Box and Co at Carrs Park.
Pelican Rocks, which operates seven days a week for breakfast and lunch at Greenwell Point overlooking the Shoalhaven River and special night functions by appointment, also won both honours at the inaugural awards in 2017 and last year took out the people's choice award.
"It says a lot about our business," Mr Cardow said.
"We work hard for the success. We couldn't do it without our wonderful staff who work hard every day, our great suppliers who bring us our fresh fish and other catches every day, and of course, our fantastic and loyal customers.
"A big thanks also to my mum and dad (Colleen and Ron) for pushing us to open our little cafe.
"This feels unreal again.
"We really had no idea about the judges' choice and were shocked to even be in there."
The judges' award is done on a blind basis. They turn up as regular customers.
"We have no idea who they are or even if they are coming,": Mr Cardow said.
"I suppose that says a lot about our business, that it doesn't matter who you are our food and service is all the same.
"You have to be on your game all the time."
Pelican Rocks will now represent NSW at the national finals in Melbourne in October, with judging of the finalists again being done in secret.
And if you would like to taste NSW's best fish and chips, unfortunately, you only have this Saturday and Sunday to do so before the business shuts for its annual two week break.
"The awards always seem to coincide with our annual holidays," Mr Cardow said.
"We will be shut from Monday for two weeks, reopening on August 15.
"We'll go away recharge our batteries and return in two weeks to serve you the best fish and chips in NSW."