Longsands Fish Kitchen

"I’m proud to be an ambassador for World Oceans Day, helping to promote the sustainability and protection of our oceans. I care massively of the impact our behaviour in society is having upon our oceans and without awareness campaigns like this, people will continue to ignore the damaging impact we are having on them. 

If we don’t all make a sustained effort to preserve and protect our oceans by making changes to our sustainability footprint, the damage through our actions will impact on them for generations to come."

Simon Walsh, Chef-Owner of Longsands Fish Kitchen

Ocean Ambassador Q&A

When and why did sustainability first become important to you?

Sustainability has always been something I’m incredibly passionate about. It's the foundations of every decision I make when creating a restaurant. If we don’t all make a sustained effort to preserve, support and promote sustainability the damage through our actions will impact generations to come. We all have a social responsibility to preserve and protect our planet and environment. People simply need to buy into the fact that if we change our habits the world will be a better place.

How big a challenge for humankind is the protection of our oceans?

Simply massive, the damage the human race has done over the years may never be repaired but now is the time, to make a change and start reversing the cycle. We need clean and healthy oceans to support our own health and survival, even if we don’t live anywhere near them. Each and every one of us can make a difference, to conserve, protect and start restoring the ocean ecosystem.

Longsands Fish Kitchen have scooped awards for its delicious seafood. What’s your top-selling dish?

We have two, Fish & Chips or our Famous Seafood Curry.

You’re in a fish and chip shop, what’s your go-to order?

It would defiantly be cod, chips, batter, loads of salt & vinegar with curry sauce.

Which country do you visit for foodie inspiration?

Has to be Portugal, the food is incredibly simple, but the quality of produce is incredible. I love the local seafood, which is cooked over coals.

When you’re too tired to cook at home what do you prepare?

Can't beat toasted sourdough, lashings of butter and marmalade.

Say a friend is visiting the Tynemouth, North Shields, for the first time, where would you take them and what would you do?

We would start off with coffee in Mr Woods, then go for a walk along the incredible Longsands Beach. Grab a spot of lunch at Riley's and then spend the afternoon paddleboarding. To finish a great day, dinner at Longsands Fish Kitchen.

What ingredients are always in your fridge?

Sriracha hot sauce, Greek yoghurt, hummus and olives.

Beer or wine?

Both, always start with a beer, finish with wine.

In the sea or in the kitchen?

In the kitchen, it's where I’m at my creative best.

Fish or crustaceans?

Crustaceans, we are blessed in the British Isles to have the finest in the world.

What would your last meal be?

Hand-dived scallops. Nothing beats them.

Meet all the UK Ocean Ambassadors

From award-winning chefs to frontline doctors and youth ocean advocates, the UK Ocean Ambassadors are united by a love of the oceans and the seafood they bring us. Meet these #BigBlueFuture advocates of healthy, sustainable seas.