IT was 16 years ago when Jamie Toland first went to work for Taylors chippy as a 14-year-old lad on work experience.
Back then, chip shop owner Anne Wallace admits she didn't have high hopes for the 'cheeky kid' who was so shy he wouldn't leave the potato room.
But Jamie soon realised he'd found his vocation in life, and over the years worked his way up to manager.
Now, aged 30, he has been crowned Employee of the Year at the prestigious National Fish and Chip Awards and honoured at a glittering awards night in London.
After the glitz and glamour in the capital on Wednesday night, it was straight back to the fryers at Woodley Precinct in Stockport yesterday though.
Not that Jamie minds because he loves his job that much.
The fryer, from Offerton, says: "When I first started working here everyone was joking, saying 'you'll bloody stink of fish' but look at me now, I'm voted the best employee in the country. That's pretty amazing."
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