Peter Barnetson of Skibo Castle, Scotland, has been named Kitchen Porter of the Year 2015. The award, which is the brainchild of commercial dishwasher specialist Winterhalter, celebrates the enormous contribution – usually overlooked – that KPs make to the foodservice industry. Peter (pictured above with Stephen Kinkead of Winterhalter) was nominated by Craig Rowland, … [Read more...]
Ed Turner to help develop Brakspear managed division
Pub operator and brewer Brakspear has appointed Ed Turner, formerly managing director of Geronimo Inns, as a non-executive director with a brief to help develop its managed pub division. Turner worked at Geronimo Inns from 1999 until July this year, during which time the company grew from four pubs to 38. During his time at Geronimo, Turner mentored Tom Davies, now … [Read more...]
Gingerline appoints Natasha Walsh as Head Chef
Secret dining experience Gingerline has appointed Natasha Walsh, turning the duo of Kerry Adamson and Suz Mountford into a trio of female culinary creatives set to take the London dining scene by storm. Natasha will lead the Chamber of Flavours kitchen team and will be responsible for concocting deliciously inventive ways to tickle the palates of Gingerline’s guests as they … [Read more...]
Chestnut Group appoints first Group General Manager
Steve Smith joins the Chestnut Group as its first Group General Manager. Steve has over twenty years of food and beverage experience in the catering and hospitality industry, most recently as General Manager with Sodexo Prestige looking after the St Edmundsbury Collection group of five contracts. Steve brings his broad expertise and knowledge of the hospitality sector to … [Read more...]
easyHotel appoints new CEO
easyHotel plc, the owner, developer, operator and franchisor of "super budget" branded hotels, has announced the appointment of Guy Parsons as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 10 August 2015. He will bring considerable hotel, commercial and business transformation experience to easyHotel. Guy has over 25 years of hotel and leisure industry experience. Having started … [Read more...]
Francesco Dibenedetto to Head Chef at Hibiscus
Claude Bosi has appointed Francesco Dibenedetto as head chef at Hibiscus. He replaces Ian Scaramuzza (who won the Roux Scholarship this year) who will now be Development Chef, and he will also work on new projects with Claude. Born in Barletta, Apulia, Italy, Francesco Dibenedetto began his culinary training at IPSSAR ‘A. Perotti’ (Professional Institute of State for Food … [Read more...]
Chef Tony Fleming from Angler restaurant to star in Channel 4 series
Tony Fleming, from the Michelin-starred Angler in South Place Hotel, is to appear in the television series Burger Bar to Gourmet Star. In the final episode, due to air on Sunday 2nd August 2015 at 8pm on More4, Fleming is paired with Ollie from Bristol, a cafe cook who will be trained as a professional chef in the Angler kitchen. Channel 4 has commissioned Betty to take … [Read more...]
FCSI UK & Ireland appoints Andrew Etherington as Chairman
Andrew Etherington, Director of Andrew Etherington Associates, has been appointed Chairman of the Foodservice Consultants Society UK and Ireland (FCSI). He succeeds Niccola Boyd-Stevenson, Managing Director of Panache Consultancy, who steps down from the role after her two-year term. The official handover took place at the FCSI’s Annual General Meeting on 2 July, hosted by … [Read more...]
John Forrest leaving Premier Inn
A Premier Inn spokesperson has confirmed that John Forrest, COO of Premier Inn and a key figure in its expansion and success, is leaving the business: "We can confirm that John Forrest is leaving the business this month to take up a senior role externally. "Simon Ewins who was previously the Operations Director for Whitbread restaurants over a three year period and is … [Read more...]
Rick Stein announces new restaurant in Sandbanks
Rick Stein has announced plans to open a restaurant in Sandbanks, Dorset. With views overlooking the water, the restaurant will seat around 200 and is set to open in late autumn. The news comes as the next stage as part of the group’s business growth with recent openings in Winchester and also Porthleven and Fistral in Cornwall. The self-titled ‘Rick Stein’ restaurant … [Read more...]
GM Rory MacAleece leads ibis Styles Hotel recruitment drive
A new general manager has been appointed to lead a recruitment drive to fill 15 positions at Glasgow’s first ibis Styles Hotel, located in the Merchant City. Experienced hotelier Rory MacAleece will take up the position later this month and will recruit a team of local staff to help build a reputable name for the hotel, synonymous with great service, personality and … [Read more...]
Sodexo food production manager is Catering Mark Champion
Sodexo food production manager Mark Davidson has been recognised as a Catering Mark Champion at the Soil Association Food for Life Catering Mark Awards. The awards, which took place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London earlier this month, celebrate the determination and passion of individuals who have worked with the Soil Association to promote the Catering Mark in … [Read more...]
Inn or Out Events expands its senior team
Inn or Out Events, the company acquired by specialist caterer bartlett mitchell last Autumn, has appointed two new members to its senior team. Gemma Banks has been appointed as Creative Director and Cris Macis as Executive Chef. Both have a strong background in the events sector and previously held the positions of Senior Event Manager and Group Head Chef respectively for … [Read more...]
Fuller’s appoints Neil Bruce as new Head of Wine
Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C., the London brewer and premium pub company, has announces that Neil Bruce has joined the Company as its new Head of Wine. Neil brings a wealth of experience of both buying and selling within the wine trade. Neil has, in the past, been at Sainsbury’s, Bibendum and was the wine director at WaverlyTBS. For the last four years, Neil has been … [Read more...]
Giancarlo Corrado appointed Restaurant Manager at Diciannove
Diciannove has appointed Giancarlo Corrado as Restaurant Manager of its authentic Italian restaurant and chiccetti bar, near Blackfriars station. Prior to joining Diciannove, Giancarlo held the position of Assistant General Manager at Italian restaurant Cucina Asellina located within the 5-star luxury ME London Hotel. Whilst there, part of his role was to oversee the … [Read more...]