More than 150 of the finest chefs, restaurateurs and food producers in Britain were today being honoured at a reception at Number 10 Downing Street. Number 10 was hosting the cream of the UK's hospitality industry to launch Food is GREAT, a key part of Visit Britain’s GREAT Britain campaign. The event, in association with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2012
Winterhalter warewashers – lifetime value for money
Cheap is not necessarily cheerful when it comes to warewashers When it comes to making equipment purchasing decisions it’s tempting to look at the initial capital cost and plump for the cheapest option. But the choice is not so simple with warewashing. Warewashers can be big consumers of energy and other resources, so running costs become a critical factor. The machine … [Read more...]
Hotel prices up as much as 223% over Jubilee Weekend
New research from Santander suggests that families planning city breaks to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee may be in for a bank-breaking trip: Average price of a hotel in the capital is 54 per cent or £1,043 more over Jubilee weekend than in May London’s five star hotels charge an average premium of 81 per cent Edinburgh and Manchester follow London’s example … [Read more...]
Puma Hotels resumes operations
It is reported that Spanish company Barceló Group recently agreed to pay a penalty fee of £20.25 million after it pulled out of an agreement early to operate 20 hotels across the UK. London-based Puma Hotels has therefore now resumed operation of the four-star properties, with assistance from independent hotel management firm Chardon Management, and is now marketing them as … [Read more...]
Pub Pie Triumphs at British Pie Awards 2102
Judging for this year’s British Pie Awards was held on 25 April at the superb St Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray, hosted and organised by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association – a combination certain to ensure suitable dedication to excellence in pies! And the competition was fierce: over 900 pies created by professional bakers and butchers, a near 50% increase on … [Read more...]
Strong sales and profit growth delivered by Whitbread
Whitbread Delivers Double Digit Growth Whitbread PLC has reported strong results for the financial year to 1st March 2012: sales up 11.2%, profits up 11.3%, and dividend up 15.2%. Strong brands getting stronger Premier Inn grew total sales by 8.3%, with revpar outperformance against its competitive set Restaurants delivered an improved second half sales … [Read more...]
Turin Stadium Business Summit to recognise unsung heroes
Lisette Maas, Chair of Stadium Experience and Julian Britton, Vice Chair of Stadium Experience have both been shortlisted as finalists in The Stadium Business Awards 2012. The nominations for The Stadium Business Awards, in association with KPMG, have been announced and Stadium Experience Chair Person Lisette Maas and Vice Chair Person Julian Britton have both been … [Read more...]
Five star chefs prepare to shine in Bolton
The queen of baking will star at this year’s Bolton’s Food and Drink Festival as Mary Berry was revealed as one of the headline acts by council chiefs at a launch in Harvey Nichols, Manchester. She will appear alongside fellow judge from The Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood. Mary Berry said: “I am looking forward to coming to Bolton Food and Drink Festival for … [Read more...]
Café Spice Namaste and Moving Venue fusion
Café Spice Namaste, Cyrus and PervinTodiwala's celebrated pan-Indian restaurant in East London, has entered into a dynamic new partnership with award-winning events company Moving Venue. The collaboration will offer private and corporate customers and all discriminating events planners the exemplary Indian cuisine for which Master Chef Cyrus Todiwala is renowned, … [Read more...]
The Master Innholders and Institute of Hospitality launch new Diploma
As part of their continuing focus on developing new industry talent, the Master Innholders have worked with the Institute of Hospitality to create the exciting new Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma. This management development programme is designed for all hotel team members who demonstrate management or leadership potential. It provides them with intensive training … [Read more...]
Derby County FC extend partnership with Lindley
Lindley Venue Catering, the specialist sports stadia catering division of The Lindley Group, has extended its partnership with Derby County Football Club to operate and expand the Starbucks store located within the Pride Park Stadium for a further five years. The partnership, which was initially struck in October 2007 and saw the creation of around 20 new jobs when the … [Read more...]
Two additions to senior management team at Macdonald Hotels
Macdonald Hotels has announced two new appointments to its senior management team: Debbie Milburn joins the group as Head of Marketing and Stephen Dodman joins as Revenue Director. Stephen joins Macdonald Hotels & Resorts to oversee all revenue management, including distribution and pricing. His appointment follows several years spent with von Essen Hotels where he was … [Read more...]
The good and the great…shortlisted in the Footprint Awards 2012
Sustainability is tough to achieve at any time, and more so in the present economic environment. The Footprint Awards not only recognise and celebrate the achievements of companies and individuals, they also promote the vital role of sustainability in the foodservice industry, and demonstrate the many ways to make a real difference by getting involved. And this year’s … [Read more...]
European hotel performance results for March 2012
The European hotel industry posted mostly positive results in year-over-year metrics when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for March 2012, according to data compiled by STR Global. Year-over-year, March 2012 figures for Europe (U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds): Europe % change Occupancy 63.7% +0.7% ADR (U.S. … [Read more...]
Pubs to Wok it out
Managed pub and bar group TCG is launching an innovative food concept, Wok Out, at the end of April. Quick to serve and to offer great value for money, Wok Out is intended to drive incremental food sales during traditionally drink-led occasions. At more than 30 TCG venues, customers will be able to buy cartons of the hot, freshly-cooked snack meals from front-of-house … [Read more...]