Results tagged “Andreas Antona” from Birmingham Mail - Restaurant Spy

Chatting to Michelin-starred chef Andy Waters the other night, I realised we've got a proper culinary dynasty here in Birmingham....or should that be dinner-sty???

This city's three most acclaimed chefs - Andy, Luke Tipping and Glynn Purnell - all largely learned their trade with Andreas Antona, owner of Simpson's. And many good judges say that Adam Bennett, currently a senior chef at Simpson's, is another star in the making.

It's superb that we've got so much home-grown talent and bodes well for the future...though badly, perhaps, for my waistline.

With the Taste of Birmingham food festival looming large on the (hopefully sunny) horizon at Cannon Hill Park this July, minds are already turning to who should get recognised in the restaurant awards that take place on the opening night of the event.

The award for the best new-comer will no doubt be a tough one to decide. During the the past 12 months we've had lots of great new places opening - Turner's, Jacky's Kitchen, Shanghai Ye, Purnell's, Pascal's and many others.

But the one that intrigues me is the award recognising an oustanding contribution to Birmingham's culinary scene. The winner in the first year was Andreas Antona of Simpson's. Last year it was Eddie McIntyre at University College Birmingham (formerly the College of Food). Hard acts to follow.