Over the last 20 years Worthing Churches Homeless Projects have helped several thousands of people, this would not have been possible without the support of the local community; together they have made Worthing a better place to live and that is worthy of being commemorated. Proto Restaurant Group were more than happy to put on the event at Food and it could not have  been possible without the generosity of Andy Sparsis, owner of Proto Restaurant Group and Food restaurant.

Delicious Canapes were served at the event

The charity was started in 1990 by local Christians who provided soup, blankets and sleeping bags to local homeless people on Worthing seafront. Gradually over the years, this Christian charity has grown to include 5 projects, 50 staff members and over 150 volunteers. The Homeless Project provides a comprehensive pathway of care to those living on the streets and guides them to an independent life.

Worthing Churches Homeless Projects believe that everyone has the right to a home, regardless of the difficulties and issues they may face, or have faced in their lives. Proto Restaurant Group supports this and believes in showing those who need our help that the wider community is there to support them and offer them hope for a better future.

Trustees of the Worthing Churches Homeless Project

The projects work with some of the most vulnerable and excluded individuals in Worthing and the work they undertake is crucial. They offer accommodation and specialist support for those living in such accommodation to ensure a full recovery. Their work provides a platform for homeless or insecurely housed individuals to achieve sustainable, independent living.

Proto Restaurant Group is proud to be involved with this worthwhile and incredible charity and were more than happy to support their cause by holding the event at Food last week which was a huge success raising £1030 for the charity.

As always, Proto Restaurant Group and it’s restaurants Food and both of The Fish Factory’s are happy to put on events for your charity, business, special occasions so get in touch with us on 01903 227780 (Food), 01903 207123 (The Fish Factory Worthing) or 01903 715000 (The Fish Factory Littlehampton) to arrange your special event.

Michael Jackson at Splash FM's Party in the Park

This is the 8th year in a row that The Fish Factory has sponsored Splash FM’s Garden Party. This year’s party was loaded with choons for every taste. There was a Motown ‘feel’ to the party on the Friday evening. The crowds enjoyed music from these bands:

• Boogie Wonderland
• Mission Blue
• Jag

On the Saturday evening, the feel was ‘heartthrob’, with scantily clad girl band, ‘Girls Allowed!’ and sexy ‘Take That Tribute’, along with moonwalker, Michael Jackson.

To give us energy for all that dancing and cheering, Proto Restaurant Group were there lubricating our voice boxes, and lining our stomachs for the best party ever.

Below is a movie from the evening which is produced by Studio IV. They also took wonderful photos of the weekend and you can see them at: www.studioiv.co.uk.

We can’t beat Splash FM on music, but we can beat them on delicious food that caters for all tastes. Call 01903 227780 to book a table in Food, and to book in The Fish Factory, call 01903 207123 for Worthing, and 01903 715100 for Littlehampton. Proto Restaurant Group: Fine dining restaurants in Worthing and Littlehampton, West Sussex.

Andrew Sparsis, Neeru Kareer and Vicky Vaughan in Worthing International Birdman 2009

It’s nearly time for Worthing International Birdman 2010. Last year, you may remember that Andrew Sparsis, proprietor of Food and The Fish Factory restaurants in Worthing and Littlehampton, West Sussex, took part in Worthing International Birdman 2010 to help The Flying Doctors raise the grand total of £754.75 for Chestnut Tree House.

This year, Birdman is taking place on 14th and & 15th Aug 2010. Andrew is raising money for Western Sussex Hospital Charities. We can’t tell you what Andy is dressing up as yet as his flying outfit is currently being designed by the children on the wards of Worthing Hospital, St Richards Hospital in Chichester and Southlands hospital in Shoreham-by-sea.

We would like you to help us raise funds for this fantastic charity by sponsoring Andrew in his Birdman 2010 challenge. It’s very easy, go to: www.justgiving.com/AndySparsisflyfishfood and sponsor him.

A little bit about Western Sussex Hospitals Charities

The Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust are two acute general hospitals and one local general hospital serving the whole of West Sussex. Our sites are Worthing Hospital, St Richards Hospital in Chichester and Southlands hospital in Shoreham-by-sea. We are committed to providing excellent facilities for patients and staff but there’s always more that can be done, that’s why the Charity exists to ensure that patients receive the best and most modern treatment, that their stay is made as comfortable as possible, and that staff have the best working environment in order to provide first class patient care. Most wards in the hospitals have their own fund and donations from patients and visitors alike are always welcomed. The money will then be managed by the charitable trust to ensure that all donations are carefully recorded, thanked and invested until required. We run a range of fundraising initiatives from recycling to overseas events, organising events and skydives to the lottery and general fundraising. We support all of our fundraisers in their efforts and are always so grateful to anyone who can help us raise money for our hospitals. Please help us to help you “Love your Hospitals”.

Proto Restaurant Group are proud to be part of this worthwhile charity and we look forward to working with Western Sussex Hospital Charities as we certainly Love our Hospitals.

Western Sussex Hospitals Charities

The Proto crew at the Splash FM Awards 2010

Meet The Proto Restaurant Group promotions team! Our promo team have been spotted at both the Splash FM Awards 2010 and the boxing at The Chamandean.They will also be at the next be at The End of the Pier Film Festival on Saturday 24 April and also on Tuesday 27 April in Worthing giving out free dessert flyers, special offers and chocolates for you to sample and buy so look out for them.

Have you tried our delicious desserts? Both at The Fish Factory (Littlehampton and Worthing), and Food (Worthing), we have a range of fantastic dessserts including: a Chocolate Fondue for Two, Bread & Butter Pudding, Ice Cream Dominica, Dessert of the Day and more – all at Food. At The Fish Factory you can sample: Waffles & Ice Cream, Steamed Puddings, Apple Pie and much more!

Call us on 01903 227780 for reservations at Food, and 207123 for reservations at The Fish Factory Worthing, and 01903 715000 for The Fish Factory in Littlehampton. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you to Studio IV, who are a fantastic photographic studio in Worthing. Our fantastic promo team jackets are the combined work of The Brand Surgery who designed them, and Broadwater Sports who did the embroidery.

The Proto crew at the boxing at Charmendean Centre

Skin Deep Exhibition at Worthing Museum

The Fish Factory is part sponsoring the Skin Deep Exhibition at the Worthing Museum and Art Gallery which runs until August.  We are happy to help this exhibition as we think its excellent for Worthing. We will be helping out with the catering and providing champagne etc.  You can come and see us there on 12th March.

What is the Skin Deep Exhibition all about?

The Sussex Road Group (SRG) was set up in 2008 by Dudley Sawer, a designer. Working from the Sidney Walter Centre in Worthing, the SRG group gave local people the chance to draw and paint the human figure using a live model.  A wide variety of students attended the ten week courses and day workshops – from beginners to professionals.

The exhibition being held at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery was formed because some members of the SRG group were drinking coffee and lamenting that there was nowhere big enough in Worthing where they could show their work. Paula Fraser-Bergin volunteered to do something about it.

The following day, Paula spoke to Emma the Curator at Worthing Museum who suggested we put an application in to hold an exhibition. After a couple of follow up meetings, the exhibition was sorted.  It takes place from 13th March to 28th August 2010 and it will be opened by the Mayor of Worthing. There will be about 100 works of art on show which are sure to  capture the public’s attention!  These include paintings, drawings, and 3D work.

The theme  SKIN DEEP has enabled the artists to explore a theme that connects to the human figure. Each artist gives a very individual interpretation as you can see from the photo below.

We look forward to meeting you there.

Skin Deep Exhibition which takes place at Worthing Museum

To enter the Littlehampton Carnival Queen Contest you need to be female and aged between 15-19 years old and live within a 6 mile radius of Littlehampton. The panel of 7-8 judges are made up of the sponsors and the press, and they will be judging the entrants on:

• speech
• personality
• looks
• day wear

There will be 20 points per judging category  with a combined possible total of 80 points. The competition will be held at The Fish Factory in Littlehampton at the beginning of March. The date is yet to be confirmed. The 2010 Littlehampton Carnival Queen will parade the streets of Littlehampton, during the Littlehampton carnival on 10th July 2010. The carnival this year carries the theme of Winter Wonderland! You may be asking why such a theme is applicable during July? The answer is that the weather has been so wet and cold for the last few carnivals, it seemed like a fun idea. We totally agree – especially if the weather is tropically gorgeous for once!

If you would like information about the Littlehampton Carnival Queen Contest call Mrs Freda Hughes who is the President of the Littlehampton Carnival and her number is 716634. Alternatively you can email Freda at fredahughes@aol.com.

We look forward to meeting all the entrants at the competition. Good luck!

Proto Restaurant Group sponsor the Splash Awards

We are sponsoring the Splash Awards 2010. The categories are:

• Mum of the Year 2010
• Dad of the year 2010
• Sporting Star 2010
• Sports Team 2010
• Restaurant of the Year 2010
• Courage Award 2010
• Splash Gold Award 2010
• Top Teacher 2010
• Best Friend 2010
• Best Business 2010
• Pub of the Year 2010
• Fundraiser of the Year 2010

The reason we are sponsoring these awards is because they are community and charity based awards. Proto are strong supporters of the Worthing community and we are always looking to help local heroes.

Everyone can take part in these awards because we believe that everyone must know someone who is worthy of one of the awards above – so get nominating now!

This is the second year of the awards. Last year was a great success with 1300 nominations in just over six weeks – there were many emotional tear jerking stories. The awards night will take place at The Dome on Thursday 18th March and it promises to be full of glitz and glamour. Don’t forget to wear your waterproof mascara (boys too)!

If you would like further information, please call Diane at Splash on 01903 233005.

Good luck everyone!

The choir at the Splash FM Christmas party

Tis the season to be merry, and generous! If you came to our Christmas party, you would have heard the angelic voices of the children of Regnante School of Performing Arts singing their hearts out. We have donated £100 to Regnante School of Performing Arts school fund to buy instruments and to help towards their upkeep. Regnante School of Performing Arts is a charity run group for kids and would love the exposure.

If you would like to find out more about this group, go to Regnante School of Performing Arts by clicking here.

Our Chips are King

Just when you thought that things couldn’t get any better, we’ve made yet another improvement to our fantastic Fish Factory menu.

We have recently introduced our King Handcut Chips as we want to treat our customers like royalty. Below is the process from selection to perfection:

(1) First of all we select the finest King Edward potatoes;

(2) Only once the potatoes have passed our strict quality control test, do they get promoted to the peeling station;

(3) Then the potatoes are delicately peeled, ensuring that all the vitamins (next the skin) are retained, which makes them more healthy;

(4) Once they are checked again, they are given the chop – in our rustic chunky style, fit for a King;

(5) The King chips are then deep-fried in the freshest fine groundnut oil for ultimate crispyness;

(6) Then, once they are given the taste test, they are plated for you to enjoy. YUM!

Some interesting facts about the British chip!

• Did you know that a portion of chips contains less fat than a prawn mayonnaise sandwich?

• A portion of chips counts towards one of you your 5-a-day! It contains a third of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C.

You can find out more interesting chip facts at: www.lovechips.co.uk

Proto Restaurant Group are recycling with Greenstar

The soon-to-be Fish Factory in Littlehampton has secured a one year contract with Greenstar Waste Services which means we will be recycling plastic, bottles and cardboard. Greenstar are responsible for the removal, reprocessing and disposal of over 1.4 million tonnes of waste and recyclables each year.

Recycling is headline news today, as we hear about celebrities’ ‘unwanted’ clothes being recycled in a ‘From bin bags to glad rags’ campaign launched by Camden Council and TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development), a charity based in Brighton. Click here for the full story. Old designer clothes from stars such as Emma Thompson’s Prada jacket and Ridley Scott’s hat from Robin Hood are being used to demonstrate to residents in Cambden how sewing and needlework can revamp old clothes. TRAID has helped prevent over 1,000 tonnes of unwanted textiles from filling landfill sites in London.

As well as Proto’s recycling scheme, there are a number of other areas where we are helping to save the planet, such as fitting energy efficient light bulbs in all of the public areas in all of our restaurants. So you can polish your halo in the knowledge that you are eating at Proto’s planet friendly restaurants. Phone 01903 227780 for Food Restaurant, and 01903  207123 for Fish Factory reservations.

Celebrities helping to save the planet