in 2004, andreas antona opened simpson's restaurant in edgbaston birmingham, within a grade ii-listed building. antona founded the original simpson's in kenilworth in 1993, which was awarded a michelin star in 1994. chef director luke tipping had previously been chef at simpson's in kenilworth. andreas antona was later to establish a restaurant at "the cross" in kenilworth where the head chef is adam bennett, who had worked for antona at simpson's in kenilworth and subsequently, has been head chef in the edgbaston restaurant. the name "simpson's" was taken from the chemist's shop, belonging to antona's father-in-law, which occupied the site in kenilworth before antona opened his restaurant there. after the edgbaston restaurant had been closed for a short period for redecoration towards the end of 2015, nathan eades, who previously had had his own restaurant for a short while in nearby bromsgrove, took over as head chef from matt cheal who left to open his own restaurant, "cheal's of henley" in the village of henley in arden, between birmingham and stratford-upon-avon. nathan eades left simpson's in december 2017 to work at the 'wild rabbit inn' in kingham. previously, andy waters, another former head chef of simpsons, had had a restaurant, "edmund's", in henley in arden before moving it to birmingham and then going on to open "waters in the square" at five ways and then the restaurant "andy waters" at resorts world at the national exhibition centre. in november 2018 waters announced that he was giving up his role at the resorts world restaurant and aaron darnley became head chef there with the restaurant's name being changed to 'sky by waters'. cheal's of henley received the judges choice award in the birmingham food, drink and hospitality awards in june 2016. corin ireland of simpsons was named best sommelier in the same awards. in 2018 peta (the people for the ethical treatment of animals foundation) included simpsons in a list of the 10 best restaurants to serve vegan food in britain. luke tipping was appointed honorary professor of culinary arts at university college birmingham in 2010. at one time simpson's had three winners of the 'british culinary federation chef of the year' award - luke tipping, adam bennett and matt cheal - all working there at the same time.