Proto Restaurant Group News

Worthing Herald gives accolade to top “Food” restaurant

April 29th, 2011

Proto Restaurant Group’s Food Restaurant in Worthing was featured in April’s Edition of Simply Sussex – the FREE magazine that comes with the Worthing Herald, Littlehampton Gazette, etc.

Food Restaurant – in New Street, Worthing – was given a fantastic review headlined with “Hungry for some nice food” and we thought we’d share it with you! Below are some extracts from the article.

Food Express Menu

“When you get the last table in a restaurant on a week-day lunchtime, you know it must be doing something right. That was exactly the case at Food in New Street, Worthing, on a recent Friday.
….
I went for the steak and frites, a delicious bargain which included a lovely piece of medium-cooked steak, a stack of crispy fries, some fried onions and a yummy blue cheese sauce.
My colleague settled on the house bangers – deliciously meaty local Cumberland sausages with creamy mash “without the slightest hint of a lump”, served with a red wine sauce and caramelised onions.
…
Food is tucked away in Worthing, but it’s clear many people have been tracking it down to enjoy its great food. If you haven’t found it yet, you had better get looking.”

To read the full article, click here and view Simply Sussex online. Go to page 18 for the article on Food!

To discover Food for yourself, these, call us on 01903 227780 or come visit us at 6 New Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3BT.

Posted in Food Restaurant Worthing, Press, Reviews | No Comments »

The Fish Factory’s continuing support of The Fishermen’s Mission

April 21st, 2011

The Fish Factory is now entering it’s 10th year supporting the Fishermen’s Mission after 9 very dedicated and heavily involved years helping out in every way it can. Proto Restaurant Group and The Fish Factory support the mission the best they can to help the UK fisherman and their families that have been injured whilst at sea.

“The Fishermen’s Mission fights poverty and despair in our fishing communities by providing emergency and welfare support to fishermen and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Over 13,000 men and women work in the UK’s toughest and most dangerous peacetime occupation: deep sea fishing. At sea, they face death and injury on a daily basis. On land, many face insecurity and debt. And life for the 50,000 retired fishermen and their dependants is no better, with debt, inadequate pensions and scant savings meaning no respite from hardship once the fishing’s over.”
From The Fishermen’s Mission.

The Fish Factory recently held a tea afternoon in aid of the mission to raise some much needed funds to help out with those that have been injured and ill through providing the country with the fish they eat on a daily basis.

The nearest mission to The Fish Factory is located between Portsmouth and Southampton in the Solent Business Park and any help they get is always gratefully received. Everyone at Proto Restaurant Group urges you to help out in any way you can. If you want to help out via The Fish Factory, get in touch on 01903 207123 (Worthing) or 01903 715000 (Littlehampton).

Fisherman

Posted in Charity events, Fish Factory Littlehampton, Fish Factory Worthing | No Comments »

The Fish Factory sponsors the Worthing Regatta

April 15th, 2011

The Fish Factory is pleased to announce that it will be sponsoring the Worthing Regatta on Saturday 21st May and Sunday 22nd May. The Regatta, run by Worthing Rowing Club is held each year in May and The Fish Factory is excited to be sponsoring the 2011 event. The Fish Factory is always looking for ways to help the local community through sponsorship and other support and this is the perfect opportunity.

Worthing Regatta 2010 Copyright Andy West

Worthing Rowing club, which was founded in 1880, is actually older than Worthing Borough itself. Located at Splash Point in Worthing, Worthing Rowing Club is just a few minutes away from The Fish Factory Worthing restaurant which is situated at 51-53 Brighton Road, Worthing,West Sussex, BN11 3EE. Call The Fish Factory on 01903 207123 to book a table.

The club competes in various regattas and competitions throughout the year and has both a Junior and Senior section. Proto Restaurant Group and The Fish Factory are very supportive of both sections, especially the Junior section as they feel that today’s youth needs to be provided with a wide range of activities so that each and every individual can have the opportunity to achieve something and rowing is just one of those activities.

Worthing Rowing Club

Call us at The Fish Factory Littlehampton on 01903 715000 or at Worthing on 01903 207123 to book a table or come and see us at Food in Worthing, call us on 01903 227780 to book a table.

Posted in Events, Fish Factory Worthing, Sponsored events, Supporting local businesses | No Comments »

Parking Prices

April 8th, 2011

The Proto Restaurant Group is absolutely delighted to announce a new deal with the NCP car parks in Worthing.
In the past, we have teamed up with NCP to offer Proto Restaurant Group members exclusive discounts on car parking for limited promotional periods, such as over Christmas. We are now pleased to announce that these deals including FREE car parking will be available ALL YEAR ROUND.

NCP parking deals with Proto Restaurant Group

Parking a car in Worthing has had a lot of negative publicity recently, with Worthing being the most expensive place to park in the area. Not any more! Here at the Proto Restaurant Group, we have taken a different approach to business and have teamed up with NCP to offer our customers FREE parking at the Guildbourne car park for 2 hours when you dine at The Fish Factory in Worthing. As if that wasn’t enough, we have also managed to secure HALF PRICE parking in the Grafton Road car park for all customers dining at Food in Worthing – that makes it cheaper than any other Sussex town.

Proto Restaurant Group has checked this offer worldwide and can announce that The Fish Factory in Worthing offers the cheapest car parking in the world!

Brian Jones, Manage at NCP had the following to say about the new deals:

“NCP is always looking for ways to support local businesses in Worthing. We are delighted to team up with The Proto Restaurant Group to offer cheaper parking to their customers. The reduced parking offers we have launched includes half-price parking in the Grafton car park for Food customers and 2 hours free parking in the Guildbourne car park for The Fish Factory customers. NCP hopes the restaurants as well as the diners benefit from this option.”

With offers as good as these, how can you resist coming to dine at the Proto Restaurant Group restaurants in Worthing and Littlehampton. Call us on 01903 227780 (Food), 01903 207123 (The Fish Factory Worthing) or 01903 715000 (The Fish Factory Littlehampton) to book a table.

Posted in Fish Factory Worthing, Food Restaurant Worthing, Proto Members Exclusive Offers | No Comments »

Meet the team – Lisa Colletti

March 31st, 2011

Lisa Colletti is the Proto Restaurant Group’s Miss March as we took the time out to ask a few questions to the long serving waitress at The Fish Factory in Worthing.

Lisa Colletti - Waitress at The Fish Factory

How long have you worked at The Fish Factory?

9 years now – gosh! They do say time flies when your having fun don’t they!

So what did you do before working for Proto Restaurant Group then?

Well, I’ve had an extremely varied past to date. I worked in a publishers in London before becoming an air hostess. But, nothing compares to working for Andy Sparsis at The Fish Factory, Worthing.

Is there any part of your job you aren’t keen on?

Customer complaints! Unfortunately, the nature of the business is such that you will get the occasional complaint and I’m just not very good at dealing with rejection! I hate being shouted at but thankfully we don’t get many complaints so I’m fine most of the time.

What would you say the best part of your job is?

I absolutely love just talking to people! We get such a wide range of customers coming into The Fish Factory that it’s fantastic. I get to hear stories from all walks of life and hearing peoples happy stories is brilliant.

Do you prefer the regular customers or new customers?

Regular customers for sure. Although I don’t dislike the new customers, it’s always nice to see a friendly face. It’s good when your regular customers come in because you know their story, they know yours and its great to have a catch up. Of course, we hope that all of our new customers become regulars so that we can enjoy the same level of friendly chit-chat.

What is your recommended dish for us then?

The Fish Meze! It’s unbelievable in it’s taste, variety and size. I love food, and there is lots of it with the Fish Meze – brilliant!

What do you get up to outside of work?

I love to cook! I’ve actually been making chocolate for the past year now which we use at the restaurant for private functions and events which is nice. I’m also going on the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy, Level 1 and 2 courses in May – how exciting!

So there you have it, that’s Lisa Colletti, waiter at The Fish Factory, Worthing. Why not come in and meet the whole team? Call us at The Fish Factory Littlehampton on 01903 715000 or at Worthing on 01903 207123 to book a table or come and see us at Food in Worthing, call us on 01903 227780 to book a table.

Posted in Fish Factory Worthing, Staff, Training | No Comments »

Third year sponsors of The Splash FM Awards – Proto Restaurant Group

March 23rd, 2011

Proto Restaurant Group sponsored the Splash FM awards last night for the third year running. The awards ceremony, organised by Splash FM, took place at the Dome Cinema in Worthing last Thursday (Thursday 17th March) and Proto Restaurant Group was extremely proud to be sponsoring such a fantastic event.

There were 15 awards given out throughout the evening including sporting star, pub of the year and the courage award which were won by Harrison Reed, Bar Release and Shane Wallace respectively. Other notable winners were the Mum and Dad of the year awards won by Wendy Robinson and Scott Mellhuish.

Proto Restaurant Group - Splash Awards 2011

Proto Restaurant Group is especially proud to be sponsoring an event with such awards as it rewards those that really deserve it, especially Mum’s and Dad’s who quite often don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Details of all the award winners can be found at the Splash FM website.

Proto Restaurant Group also walked away with an award winning Restaurant of the Year for Food. Karen Warland, the Floor Manager at Food Restaurant had the following to say about the award:

“Thank you very much to everyone that voted for us, we really appreciate it. All we ever do is try our best to give good quality food and excellent service. Thank you everyone for your continued support.”

Proto Restaurant Group - Splash Awards 2011

Alberto Castro, who is the Executive Chef at Food, was absolutely delighted with the award:

“Thank you to all the customers from all the team for your continued support. It is a privilege to be working as an Executive Chef at Food restaurant.”

Nominations for Food Restaurant were for the quality experience that is offered – including the lavish, open plan dining room, it’s welcoming and attentive staff, and the entertainment, which includes regular live jazz – and a number of themed evenings through the year.

The entire evening at the awards was a joyous, laid back and exciting evening for all those that attended, with notable attendees including Worthing Mayor Ann Sayers.

If you want to come and see just exactly why Food won Restaurant of the Year, come in and visit us.

Call us on 01903 227780 to book a table.

Posted in Community Events, Food Restaurant Worthing, Sponsored events | No Comments »

New menu to launch at The Fish Factory

March 11th, 2011

Exciting News! The Fish Factory’s in Worthing and Littlehampton are launching their new menu in 2 weeks time. The new menu will include favourites from our Spoil Menu, Fish Pie and Chili Fish Koftas. These dishes proved so popular during their time on our Spoil Menu that we felt we had to include them on our Main Menu. Don’t worry, our new menu still includes all of our favourite dishes like Steak and Kidney Pudding, Portobello Wellington and Mussels Marinara.

The Fish Pie has become a massive favourite at The Fish Factory’s and it’s easy to see why; The Harbour Fish Pie – as this dish is now known – is made with fresh cuts of fish & seafood baked into a wine & Cheese sauce topped with creamed potato & parsnip mash. Sounds delicious doesn’t it?

The Harbour Fish Pie

With the changes to our menu, it means that there is also room for change to our Spoil Menu which will include a new dish for the very first time; Seabream with black olive sauce, wrapped in vine leaves and served with bean and tomato salad.

Fancy trying our new menu? Come in and visit us at The Fish Factory’s in Worthing and Littlehampton. Call us on 01903 207123 and 01903 715000 respectively to book a table.

Posted in Fish Factory Littlehampton, Fish Factory Worthing | No Comments »

Proto Restaurant Group staff day out received a frosty reception

March 4th, 2011

On Thursday 3rd March, 20 Proto Restaurant Group staff members met for a day’s ice-skating on Worthing’s famous ice-skating rink as part of a team building exercise. Proto Restaurant Group works closely with the ice rink as it offers anybody who buys a ticket for the rink, a free kid’s meal at The Fish Factory, which has been extremely popular with families using the ice-rink, especially during half-term.

Andy Sparsis Ice Skating

Worthing’s ice-rink is now in it’s third year running on Steyne Gardens and is open until the 6th March having been open since 5th February. Having been brought in as a one-off by Worthing Town Centre Initiative three years ago, it has proven so popular that it now returns every year. Not only is this a fantastic addition for the people of Worthing, but it is drawing people from neighbouring towns to Worthing, which is just great for local businesses.

Andy Sparsis – owner of Proto Restaurant Group – had the following to say about the day at the ice-rink:

“I love getting our team out of the workplace and if I’m honest its about time some of them got there skates on! Thanks To Sharon Clark TCM for making this all possible.”

If you are planning on visiting the ice-rink this year, why not pop into The Fish Factory, Worthing to try one of their steak and kidney puddings? Home made pastry and massive chunks of lean steak is sure to warm you up after a cold day on the ice.

Call us on 01903 207123 to book a table in advance.

Posted in Events, Fish Factory Worthing, Staff | No Comments »

Meet the team – Ben Loveland

February 25th, 2011

This months Proto Restaurant Group team member focus is on Ben Loveland, waiter at The Fish Factory, Littlehampton.

Ben Loveland

We asked Ben a few questions to find out what he’s been up to in the past and what his loves and hates of the job were:

How long have you worked at The Fish Factory?

2 years now. It’s been fantastic working with customers again. I love being closer to the customers than I have been in previous jobs, its far more rewarding.

So what did you do before working for Proto Restaurant Group then?

I was the General Manager of Pizza Express in Brighton before this job, but I really didn’t like the lack of time I got to spend with customers; that role was more about organising and managing whereas here I get to be the friendly, approachable, first port of call for customers at The Fish Factory.

Is there any part of your job you aren’t keen on?

I absolutely hate it when a customer is unhappy. It’s horrible listening to a complaint about the food, the service, or anything else as we pride ourselves on the experience at The Fish Factory and we don’t want anybody to leave unsatisfied with their meal.

What would you say the best part of your job is?

Getting to know the customers. I love talking with the customers and finding out about them; all of our customers are extremely friendly and love to have a little chat with us so it’s brilliant having that level of interaction in your day to day life.

Do you prefer the regular customers or new customers?

Both, but in different ways. The regular customers are obviously more friendly, we know them and they know us, so we get to have a nice chat and a laugh with them which is great. New customers are brilliant too though; it’s really good introducing yourself and talking somebody through what we do at The Fish Factory, what menu’s we have, our specials, our recommended dishes, etc.

What is your recommended dish for us then?

The Catfish Curry, without a doubt. I’ve always loved a good curry and this is a fantastic curry. It has such a unique blend of different flavours, simply delicious.

So there you have it, thats Ben Loveland, waiter at The Fish Factory, Littlehampton. Why not come in and meet the whole team? Call us at The Fish Factory Littlehampton on 01903 715000 or at Worthing on 01903 207123 to book a table or come and see us at Food in Worthing, call us on 01903 227780 to book a table.

Posted in Fish Factory Littlehampton, Staff | No Comments »

Costa Oil to launch

February 18th, 2011

Proto Restaurant Group is pleased to reveal that they will be launching their new brand of oil, ‘Costa Oil’ very soon!

Proto Restaurant Group owner Andy Sparsis and his family have always been involved in producing high quality food and cuisine and over the last few years have been working hard to achieve European statorship for their land in Cyprus in order to produce ‘Costa Oil’ and as such the oil will be marketed here in the UK.

Just to whet your appetites, we have included a sneak preview of the ‘Costa Oil’ artwork.

Costa's Liquid Gold Olive Oil

There is some fantastic news for Proto Members; as Proto Restaurant Group are the sole distributors of ‘Costa Oil’, we are giving Proto Members an exclusive chance to try the oil before it goes on retail sale in the UK. Interested? You should be! Come visit us at either of The Fish Factory’s and Food restaurant to ask us for some more information. Keep checking back here for more information as well and you will be the first to know when ‘Costa Oil’ is available.

The Sparsis family believe the secret of the successful olive oil comes not only from the land, but from the centuries of people whom have devoted their lives to the nurturing and devotion to what they believe, and still believe in today and they wish you to enjoy this oil with your family and friends.

To enquire about ‘Costa Oil’ or to book a table at any of our restaurants please phone us on 01903 227780 (Food), 01903 207123 (The Fish Factory Worthing) or 01903 715000 (The Fish Factory Littlehampton)

Posted in Costa Oil, Proto Members Exclusive Offers | No Comments »