Mitch Tonks and First Great Western launch Little Black Book of Seafood

Friday 24 January

Restaurateur Mitch Tonks transformed Paddington Station into a restaurant dining room this week to launch his new Little Black Book of Seafood, a collaboration with First Great Western encouraging people to try out some of the best seafood in the country.  

The mini guide uncovers the best of the First Great Western network and the hidden gems of the region’s own food heaven. The suggested cover price is £1.50, 100% of which is being donated to the Fishermen’s Mission, a charity dedicated to helping the lives of fishermen and their families that Mitch regularly supports.

Helping to launch the book and promote the South West was BBC Radio Devon presenter Judi Spiers who interviewed Mitch and fellow chef Mark Hix of Hix Restaurants Ltd, during peak commuter time.  

The book, designed to fit in your handbag or pocket, includes places recommended by some of Mitch’s friends in the South West, Michael Caines, Jack Stein, Mark Hix and Nathan Outlaw.

Mitch said:

“Working with seafood is my life and my pleasure and living in Devon I am surrounded by some of the best seafood in the world.  

“Putting this book together has been great fun and the places in here are ones that will make your trip to Devon, Dorset, Wales or Cornwall a real joy. I keep finding more and more hidden treasures serving up seafood in the South West so I can only hope we go on to do a second book!” 

First Great Western Campaigns Manager Jamie Anderson said:

“Encouraging people to travel and to visit the South West, this little book provides the local knowledge required to discover the best kept food secrets in the area and to make the most of your trip.”

Gina Moore from the Fishermen’s Mission said:

“This is a fabulous book celebrating seafood & we are proud to be charity partners.  Every penny made on the book goes to the Fishermen’s Mission.”

Mitch added:  

“I’m really pleased to that all proceeds from the book go to the Fishermen’s Mission, a wonderful charity which we support in our restaurants.”