Michelin Star restaurant goes on the market as chef retires after 50 years

Simpsons, the Michelin Star restaurant in Edgbaston, is up for sale as chef patron Andreas Antona steps towards retirement.

The restaurant, which has been a fixture of Birmingham’s fine dining scene since 2004, is listed for £850,000 with Christie & Co.

Antona, known as the ‘Godfather of Modern Birmingham Food,’ has been a figure in the city’s culinary development, mentoring chefs like Glynn Purnell and Dan Sweet.

Simpsons originally opened in Kenilworth in 1993, earning a Michelin Star in 1999, before relocating to its current spot in Edgbaston in 2004.

Antona said: “Last year, I marked 50 years as a chef and restaurateur, having started out at Ealing College in 1974. I feel lucky to have witnessed the boom and development of our industry into the wonderful profession it is now.

“Following a lot of soul searching, I’ve realised there is never a good time to retire, but when something from within is telling you to reevaluate and enjoy life, family, friends, travel and golf – you need to listen. It is following this realisation that I have decided to sell Simpsons, the restaurant where my life as a chef patron began.”

“Simpsons has a big place in my heart, and selling this importance will take time. We have a fantastic team in place, and I want to be sure that the buyer shares our passion to continue and build on Simpsons’ longstanding success.”

Simon Chaplin, senior director at Christie & Co who is managing the sale said: “We are delighted to be appointed to work with Andreas on this prestigious assignment. Simpsons is one of the most established venues in the West Midlands and can continue to be so in new hands. It has been a ‘go to’ restaurant for many in the area, be it for celebrations or business, and a buyer may well be a previous customer who can now have the prestige of owning this iconic venue.”