One of Yorkshire most experienced hoteliers has taken over the reins of one of York’s best known venues. Graham Usher - who started his working career at Wood Hall Hotel and Spa, near Wetherby - has been appointed the general manager of the BEST WESTERN Monkbar Hotel. The 99-bedroom hotel is privately managed by Hospitality Management International (HMI) and, since opening … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2012
Hotel La Tour targeting rapid expansion
Independent operator Hotel La Tour says it is targeting rapid expansion across the UK following the launch of its first venue in Birmingham. The £24m development on the fringe of the EastSide district and close to the site of the expected HS2 terminal, has 174 bedrooms and suites, a restaurant and bar inspired by Michelin-starred Chef Marcus Wareing, coffee shop and conference … [Read more...]
Recipe of the Week from Great British Chefs, by Nathan Outlaw
This week's recipe of the week is Whole Dover sole with a tarragon and lemon stuffing and potato dumplings from Cornwall based chef, Nathan Outlaw and courtesy of www.greatbritishchefs.com Nathan Outlaw is one of Britain's most gifted chefs, known for his love of seafood. In this recipe Dover Sole is stuffed with a citrus and herb filling and served alongside golden-brown … [Read more...]
New Project – Sea Containers House, hotel contractor to be named
Sea Containers House on the southbank of the Thames in London is to receive a £100m overhaul that will see thirteen floors of current office space being converted into a 360-bedroom hotel. A new extension to the roof from the 12th floor will also provide a new bar for the hotel. The winning contractor to take on the project is due to be named next month and bidders include … [Read more...]
Job of the Week from PJ Search
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER circa £45,000 4* Deluxe London Hotel This outstanding and superbly refurbished 4* deluxe London hotel requires a Food and Beverage Manager to manage its outlets to include, bar, room service, restaurants, lounge and conference & banqueting departments. One of your key responsibilities as Food and Beverage Manager will be to ensure … [Read more...]
The Football Pie League David Rocastle Memorial Match
The Football Pie League David Rocastle Memorial Match, 7.30pm, Thursday 5th April, Ascot United FC Regular visitors to The Football Pie League will know that Laura ‘Gooner’ Howard is coming to London on a visit from Brooklyn, New York, USA to see us next week. The focus of her trip is to meet with fellow Gooners on 31st March when Arsenal play QPR at Loftus Road and again … [Read more...]
UK Chain Hotels Market Review – February 2012
Profit conversion hit at London hotels as costs creep up Whilst hotels in London were once again able to achieve a year-on-year improvement across all headline performance measures this month, rising cost levels negatively impacted the conversion from total revenue to profit, according to the latest HotStats survey of approximately 560 full-service hotels across the UK by … [Read more...]
Sodexo Prestige secure new long term partnership
Sodexo Prestige are about to secure a seven year contract (subject to contract approval) to provide catering services across the prestigious St Edmundsbury Collection. The diverse portfolio of venues consisting of the apex, The Athenaeum, Abbey Gardens and Moyse’s Hall Museum is currently operated by the council. St Edmundsbury Borough Council (SEBC) were looking to … [Read more...]
The Football Pie League Road Trip to test the Brighton Pies
We set off from Piewood Studios in Ascot home of The Football Pie League at about 4.30, around the M25 and down the M23 to Brighton, about an hour and a half. ‘Legend’ constantly on the phone didn’t help but we got to Brighton train station and bought our tickets to Falmer. Parking at the Amex is very limited so you have to travel by train. Falmer is a sleepy village outpost … [Read more...]
Danny’s Culinary Style Lands Tilda ‘Chef of the Year’ Prize
Danny Leung from Lexington Catering has scooped the prestigious Tilda Chef of the Year 2012 Award in recognition of his culinary creativity. Danny, the caterer’s Head Chef at its Standard Bank contract in City of London, said: “It still feels unreal to win this competition. Rice has always been part of me since childhood from my ethnic background. I grew up from a very … [Read more...]
Guinness World Record Success for Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division
The world’s largest water mosaic as confirmed by Guinness World Records was recently created at the annual conference of Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division at the O2 Arena in London. Over 300 employees and suppliers worked together, taking three hours to fill 81,000 white plastic cups with 17,000 litres of different coloured water. The theme of the 2012 conference … [Read more...]
Introducing Gourmet Gadgetry’s Luxury Belgian Fondue & Fountain Chocolate
Gourmet Gadgetry are delighted to offer the finest tasting Milk, Dark & White chocolate especially created and blended for use with chocolate fountains. Only the finest natural ingredients have been used to create our exclusive blends, providing you with the smoothest fondue and fountain chocolate available! The Belgian chocolate comes in petite callets which make them … [Read more...]
George Osborne mocked by MPs over his ‘Pasty Tax’
George Osborne has been mocked by MPs over his “pasty tax” after it emerged people could avoid paying VAT on hot baked goods if they wait for them to cool in the shop. The tax status of Cornish pasties has caused an unexpected backlash against the Chancellor, after he imposed VAT on hot baked goods bought from supermarkets and bakers in the Budget. Greggs, the high street … [Read more...]
Adnams posts positive results
Adnams plc Results for the 12 Months to 31 December 2011 Adnams, the brewer, distiller and retailer, has today published its Report & Accounts for the 12 months to 31 December 2011, showing sales of £54.6m and a £3.3m operating profit (before exceptional items). The Company, which collected several awards for its beer and spirits throughout the year, reported a 7% … [Read more...]
Caffè Culture registration is open
Complimentary registration is now open for Caffè Culture so make sure you register yourself and your colleagues for the café bar industry’s most prestigious business event of the year. The show will host over 200 of the industry’s major international brands, alongside smaller independent suppliers, offering visitors the complete range of products and services that every … [Read more...]