Compass Group UK & Ireland has announced that it is launching a new Fairtrade retail range this Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February to 10 March). The Compass owned EATFAIR retail offer will be available from 800 sites initially, and the leading food and support services provider has pledged to donate profits to dedicated EATFAIR foundation projects. 5p donation for every … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2013
Spirit apprentices at top of the class
The latest figures released by the Data Service, an independently managed organisation established and funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and supported by the Skills Funding Agency, have shown Spirit Pub Company’s apprenticeship programme continues to achieve excellent results, following last year’s Good Ofsted grading. 27% higher than … [Read more...]
Chris Steadman: new inmate for Malmaison Oxford
Malmaison has announced the appointment of Chris Steadman as General Manager at Malmaison Oxford. Situated in an old prison and located in the walls of Oxford Castle, Malmaison Oxford is a truly unique hotel and a flagship property for the brand. Christopher joins Malmaison from Hellidon Lakes Golf & Spa Hotel where he held the position of General Manager since … [Read more...]
Okell’s sets its sights on bigger market with a modern makeover
One of Britain’s oldest and most distinguished independent breweries has undergone a rebranding as part of a major expansion which includes plans to modernise its image and widen its appeal to a bigger audience. Okell’s, the country’s first steam brewery was established in 1850 and has now commissioned Glasgow-based Good to overhaul its image, following the design agency’s … [Read more...]
Chef’s Restaurant of the Week, The Yorke Arms
Located in an idyllic corner of North Yorkshire near well-heeled Harrogate, The Yorke Arms is familiar to certain sections of the British public as having featured in the BBC's comedy The Trip – where the shots of the building, the location, the work in the kitchen and the food provided a rather welcome foil to the events. Given that the series was as much a paean to the … [Read more...]
Simon Radley Kitchen Academy in search for rising stars
The ‘Simon Radley Kitchen Academy’ will nurture young talent by offering apprenticeships to 10 lucky 16 to 24-year-olds every year, giving young people with a passion for food a golden opportunity to learn from one of best in the business. Executive chef Simon Radley will handpick the apprentices to work in his multi award winning kitchen alongside his talented kitchen brigade … [Read more...]
Strada raising a tasty sum
Red Nose Day is back on Friday 15th March, supported this year by Strada Restaurants who are the exclusive high street partner for Menu Relief. An excellent cause that will raise a lot of money for Red Nose Day – already £10k and rising at the time of writing – and for the people it supports, plus Strada gains a useful lift to its profile and attracts new customers. The … [Read more...]
Want to sell more coffee? Check out Woffee.com
Special Offer to H&C News visitors Woffee increases the number of customers coming to your venue – whether pub, coffee shop, restaurant, or other facility - particularly during working hours. Promoting your venue online as a great venue for people to meet for a coffee, or grab a drink whilst using wifi. With 1,000 venues already signed up, and more joining each day, … [Read more...]
£250 million Center Parcs village on track for spring 2014 opening
Despite the recent inclement British weather, construction of Center Parcs’ new £250 million village in Bedfordshire is on schedule to open to guests in spring 2014. Martin Dalby, Chief Executive, Center Parcs UK, said: “Although we’ve been hit with snow, wind and rain over the last few months, the team has worked hard to ensure we’re on track to open to guests in spring … [Read more...]
IHG reports strong growth driving double-digit increase in 2012 profits
Highlights $21.2bn of total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s system, up 5% 2012 global RevPAR growth of 5.2%, with rate up 3.2% and occupancy up 1.2%pts Americas 6.1% (US 6.3%); Europe 1.7%; AMEA 4.9%; Greater China 5.4%. Q4 global RevPAR growth of 3.9%: Americas 5.7%; Europe 1.2%; AMEA 1.8%; Greater China (0.3)%. System size of 676k … [Read more...]
People 1st joins forces with PACE
People 1st is joining forces with PACE (the Professional Association for Catering Educators) to deliver a joint programme at this year’s annual learning and development forum and conference. The new style conference will see the programme for the event extended to cover an additional half day and People 1st will work with PACE to provide an innovative programme for both … [Read more...]
Gefiltefest to celebrate Jewish food revival
Gefiltefest, the UK’s only Jewish food festival, has announced ticket availability for the 2013 Gefiltefest and Jewish Food Awards ceremony. The fourth annual Gefiltefest London Jewish Food Festival will be held on Sunday 19 May 2013 at Ivy House - the former home of the ballerina Anna Pavlova and now the home of the London Jewish Cultural Centre. The festival will feature … [Read more...]
Levi Roots, Reggae Reggae sauce entrepreneur, to become restaurateur?
Levi Roots, creator of Reggae Reggae sauce and one of the Dragons’ Den's biggest success stories, is reported by Eat Out magazine to be interested in moving on from retail and into restaurants. Roots apparently wants to introduce a Caribbean Restaurant concept – but needs a partner to work with him on developing it. The Levi Roots brand is now well established, Reggae … [Read more...]
Gluten-Free Dining: a growing market
It is estimated that one in one hundred people in the United Kingdom today suffer from Coeliac Disease. There is no cure and those living with the disease have to avoid gluten completely, for life. One percent of the population is 650 000 people, if they were to dine just once with friends in groups of 4 that would account for 2.6 million meals! As well as those suffering … [Read more...]
MasterChef: The Professionals winner named Head Chef of Roux at Parliament Square
MasterChef: The Professionals winner, Steve Groves, has been announced Head Chef at the award-winning Roux at Parliament Square restaurant in Westminster, London. Steve joined Roux at Parliament Square in October 2010 as Senior Sous Chef after impressing Michel Roux Jr in the BBC TV series, MasterChef: The Professionals, and stepped up to the position of Head Chef in January … [Read more...]