National Fish and Chip Awards serves up top prize for Market Deeping businessman

A businessman’s devotion to frying excellence has been honoured with a top accolade at the National Fish and Chip Awards.

Paul Williams, who has been involved in the fish and chip industry for 47 years, picked up the Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award at the ceremony in London.

As chairman of Market Deeping-based frying range manufacturers KFE, he described the award as an ‘honour beyond belief’.

“With the exception of family occasions, it was the proudest day of my life,” Paul said.

“From starting in my first fish and chip shop in 1978 to forming KFE in 1996 in a bedroom above a fish and chip shop, to yesterday’s awards, it’s been an incredible journey.

“Like most journeys, it’s had its ups and downs, but if you truly believe in something, then occasionally, there is that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

Market Deeping went close to another award at the event after Kieran Bulpit, who works for Linfords’, reached the last eight in the 2025 Young Fish Frier of the Year category.

Paul opened his first Fish and Chip shop in Corby, and then another in Leicester before adding a burger restaurant in Milton Keynes.

He moved to Market Deeping in 1986, buying the Deeping Fry - now Linfords - before taking over The Boundary.

Both sites were sold in the 1990s as Paul decided to branch out, setting up KFE in 1996 and bringing the faster and more efficient Kiremko frying ranges to the UK for the first time.

A service department with 12 engineers was created, along with the School of Frying Excellence, a training centre which has brought through more than 2,000 fish and chip shop operators.

Paul, who followed his mum’s family into the fish and chip industry, also drove KFE to become the industry’s first carbon neutral business two years ago.

The company now has a 30-strong team with a strong family influence.

Paul’s son Nik is sales director, daughter Tanya Henderson is managing director, and son-in-law Mathew Henderson is the KFE financial controller.

“I sadly lost my mum recently, and she and my dad, when he was still with us, always instilled in me the importance of family values,” he added.

The award was voted for by key figures in the industry.

“Paul is held in high regard for his commitment to making sure fish and chip shops and restaurants can access the vast knowledge he and his team have,” said Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers.

“The business’ incredible training programme and state-of-the-art frying equipment ensure that chippies throughout the UK and beyond are delivering quality in every bite.

“Paul has built an amazing reputation both as an individual and a businessman who gives back to others so selflessly.”