Along with fellow Gloucestershire bloggers, Emma from Emma and 3 and Joy from Pink Oddy, I was invited to support the relaunch of Simpsons restaurant in Cheltenham on Friday evening. Not that the family run chippy needed our support! Just a couple of days before the restaurant refit party Simpsons beat off more than 10,000 rivals from across the UK to be named the 2016 best independent takeaway fish and chip shop by the trade body Seafish.
Bonnie and James Ritchie, opened Simpsons in 2009 and have come very close to winning the award for the last two years, coming second twice. To earn the top spot, not only did the quality of the fish and chips and levels of customer service come under scrutiny, Simpsons also went through an in-depth judging process over a seven month period including mystery shop visits and rigorous audits by industry experts.
This year the judges were impressed by how the young couple had gone above and beyond a stereotypical local chip shop. The couples innovations include hosting a gluten-free frying day once a month which attracts fans with the Coeliac disease or an intolerance to gluten/wheat from miles around to enjoy fish and chips safely. They have also published a children’s book to teach youngsters about fish species, sourcing and how potatoes grow.
Images – Dancers entertain guests at the relaunch party. Staff serve customers with award-winning fish and chips.
I am no stranger to this popular chippy, having filled many a loyalty card with stamps from our frequent visits when we lived nearby. It was of no surprise therefore that I enjoyed the delicious fish and chips on Friday, I was however pleasantly surprised with the battered halloumi and homemade fish cakes which are not dishes I have ordered before but I will certainly be returning for!
What I love most about Simpsons is that Bonnie and James are passionate about the environment and serving only natural products. Not only do they recycle all card and glass used in their store, they also serve only fully sustainable cod and haddock. If customers are interested, they can also trace where their fish was caught, which boat caught it and even who packed it! (Now that truly is going above and beyond!)
The couple also pride themselves on only serving customers what they would serve to their own children. As a result their fish and chips consist of only fish, potato and 100% natural batter with no MSG, salt or bulking agents and no artificial colours or flavouring. As a parent this is of utmost importance to me as I enjoy treating my sons to the occasional takeaway and at Simpsons I can do so knowing that they are eating a quality meal.
Contact details – http://www.simpsonsfishandchips.com
Address – 73-75 Priors Road, Cheltenham, GL52 5AL
I would like to thank SilverBall PR for inviting me to this event. All opinions are as always my own.
Living by the sea we have hundreds of chippys – and not all are good! This one must be truly amazing to have won this title – aren’t you lucky! Kaz x
It sounds like a great chippy. We do love our local, but it’s brilliant Simpsons do the sustainability thing and gluten free options.
This place sounds fantastic! It looks really great & the best part is the good ingredients they use for their fish & chips. I totally agree with you, it’s so nice to eat out knowing your family are still eating well. Sounds like a really fun relaunch! x
There’s nothing better than chippy fish and chips is there?! Sounds fab, probably a good thing that it’s not near me!!
Oh I do love fish and chips and we are so lucky that our local fish and chip shop has suddenly got a lot better! How amazing that your local is award winning!
It’s nearly dinner time and this post is making me feel hungry! Looks like a fab establishment :)
This sounds like my kind of chippy I just wish it was a little closer, I bet the food tastes fab x
I do love a good chippy and we have some brilliant ones living by the coast. We have a couple of award winning ones close by
Oooh nothing better than a nice portion of fish and chips!
They really do go above and beyond your average chippy! How lovely of them to have gluten free frying days and ensure that all their foods are free from preservatives too!
omg this sounds amazing, its such a good idea to have a gluten free day because everyone loves a good chippy! and the book is a good idea too.
It was such a fantastic evening to be part of – but I had no idea that they fought off that any competitors
Oh this sounds fun! It sounds like a fab relaunch. I like the idea of a gluten free day. That is interesting! Angela
Congratulations Simpsons! … I did not know about any such awards … love fish and chips though :)
Oooh congratulations to the Simpsons I didn’t know they were such awards around but nice to know. I love me a good fish and chips on a Friday actually make that everyday
Congratulations!! My local chippie – Frankies – here in Shetland, was last year’s winner. How fab to have an award winning chippie as your local! :D