Simpsons goes retro to celebrate 30 years in business

Simpsons in Edgbaston is celebrating its 30 year anniversary with special menus to celebrate its achievement this September.

Executive chef Luke Tipping will be updating dishes from the restaurant's history with modern flourishes and these will feature on both a three course and a six course tasting menu.

The restaurant, owned by Andreas and Alison Antona and with Luke at the helm since its early days, first opened in Kenilworth in 1993 and moved to its current home in the Grade II listed building in Edgbaston in 2004.

Luke has spent the past few months reading through old Simpsons menus and reminiscing about the early days in the restaurant in which he's spent most of his career.

Luke said: “Making it to 30 years is an incredible achievement for any restaurant and there is no doubt that its opening made a big impact on Birmingham's dining scene. Over the years, Simpsons has been a training ground for some of the region's best chefs. I'm proud to be part of a legacy which continues today with our young chefs who continue to demonstrate award-winning talent and a passion for creating the best experience for our guests.”

Dishes that will be making a return will be the Timbale of Cured Salmon, Lobster, Crab starter and the Duo of Lamb main course served with apricots, cracked aromatic wheat, almonds, piquillo peppers, capers, yoghurt and Ras El Hanout sauce. Desserts will include Prune and Armagnac tart with whipped mascarpone and Cr�me Caramel with red wine pear and chocolate sorbet which was Luke's dessert when he won Midland Chef of the Year in 1999.

Simpsons will also offer guests a unique experience on Wednesday 6 September when they team up with the masters of everything burger at Meat Shack. Priced at £80 per person the menu includes Mo�t & Chandon and caviar to start followed by snacks, starters and the star of the show, 'The Cheeky Boy', the 30th Collaboration Gourmet Burger created by Luke and Paul. A Beef Patty, Slow Cooked Ox Cheek, Roscoff Onion, Pickled Walnut Ketchup, Bacon Bits and Gouda, served alongside Truffle Fries. Visit HERE to book.

This September will also see the 10th anniversary of Antona's second restaurant, The Cross at Kenilworth which celebrates with a special 10 course tasting menu, featuring dishes from the past, present and future in a collaboration with former commis chef and Bocuse d'Or trophy winner, Kristian Curtis.

Simpsons will continue the celebrations with a Friends of Simpsons dinner with Great British Menu winner Tom Shepherd on Tuesday 3 October. Booking details will be released via Simpsons newsletter - visit here to sign up.

To book a table during September, please visit HERE or email [email protected].