H & C News is pleased to be able to share information on food costs and trends for May – from fruit and vegetables, to meat and fish, to dairy – supplied by Prestige Purchasing. Overview Overall CPI for the UK has dropped from 2.8% at last month to 2.4% this month, which is an encouraging sign. Food inflation has risen 1.2% from 3.8% to 5.0% from March to April and … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2013
Legacy Hotels takes on Ramadas at Farnham and Guildford/Leatherhead
Legacy Hotels and Resorts has taken over the management of two Surrey hotels as it moves into the county following the hotels being brought out of administration. The UK-wide group is now operating the Ramada Farnham Hotel and the Ramada Guildford/Leatherhead Hotel on long term management agreements after Surya Hotels bought the two hotels that have been operated by BDL … [Read more...]
Vespertine’s Independent Coffee Book: London
This small format (120 x 150mm) book is a celebration of coffee, including in-depth reviews, comprehensive cafe listings (is your cafe listed?), expert articles, brewing guides, and historical information. It will lead coffee drinkers to fine coffee in London, feed their appetite for information about coffee, coffee preparation and coffee drinking, and serve as the … [Read more...]
Porridge: Britons falling back in love with oats for breakfast
If you want to be successful in life, you need to eat humble porridge oats. That’s the findings of research looking into the nation’s breakfast eating habits by agency Smoking Gun’s specialist Food PR team. World famous names from the very top of their industries who face constant strain and need energy to maintain their success are all porridge fans. These range from … [Read more...]
Launch of the Chef Knowledge Exchange Workshops
Partnering with the Craft Guild of Chefs, Knorr has launched the new Chef Knowledge Exchange. The workshops will give chefs the chance to learn from colleagues at the top of their game. Charlotta Oldham, category marketing manager for Knorr Bouillon comments: “We’re regularly seeing chefs across the industry and hear the same issues being raised: how to continue to build … [Read more...]
Breakfast in bed by Adam Gray
Great British Chefs provides food lovers with great recipes, tips and how to videos from the very best chefs in Britain, H&C News is a content partner with Great British Chefs and we are delighted to share great recipes, tips and how to videos with our professional visitors. One of the chefs regularly featured at Great British Chefs is Adam Gray and frequent visitors to … [Read more...]
Cash use down 10%: hospitality must respond to new ways to pay
Fundamental changes in the UK retail industry as customers embrace new technology and new ways to purchase are producing major changes in the relative importance of different payment methods. Customers did 10% less of their shopping with cash in 2012 than the previous year. Paying with cash is still the most popular choice for customers in the UK but the pace of change in … [Read more...]
Accor unveils global repositioning strategy for Pullman Hotels & Resorts
At an impressive presentation this week, senior management from Accor, the leading international hotel operator and market leader in Europe, unveiled Pullman’s new positioning to match new business traveller behaviour. Accelerated expansion of its network; active commitment to design and contemporary art; and enhanced visual identity are all part of a global move aimed at … [Read more...]
Meiko dishwash video features internationally renowned singer…Meiko
Meiko has just launched what has to be the best dishwashing video ever, featuring US singer Meiko accompanying promotional shots of Meiko dishwashing systems in use at various locations. The unlikely duet features snappy lyrics, sharp video editing and a toe-tapping melody, so, unlike the Meiko machines themselves, viewers will enjoy wasting lots of energy jigging to the … [Read more...]
‘Grab and Go’ refrigerated merchandisers for education catering
Williams’ upgraded Gem Multideck merchandisers are ideal for ‘Grab and Go’ education catering as they are designed to save energy, cut running costs and look good front of house. The Multideck maximises retail space, keeps produce fresh and chilled, and provides customers with open, easy access to drinks, pre-packed snacks and dairy products. The new, attractive features and … [Read more...]
The George of Stamford: historic venue enlists energy-saving warewashers
Popular hotel takes advantage of Winterhalter’s ‘warewashers, chemicals plus service’ package The George of Stamford is one of the most beautiful and historic hotels in the UK. It’s also one of the most popular, not only with customers but also employees: it’s constantly busy and its staff are passionate about their work – many of them have been there twenty years or … [Read more...]
Compass Group celebrates double wins for responsible initiatives
Compass Group UK & Ireland is celebrating after a double whammy of industry award wins recognising its corporate responsibility initiatives on Thursday 23 May in London and Glasgow. The specialist food and support services provider collected two honours for making strides with greener logistics and placing health and wellbeing at the centre of its … [Read more...]
Crown Estate’s plans for St James’s Market in London
The Crown Estate has established a joint venture that will see Canadian real estate company, Oxford Properties, take a 50 per cent stake in the £320 million commercial element of its landmark St James's Market scheme. The deal establishes a strategic partnership based on two 50:50 limited partnerships that will each own 150 year leasehold interests in two blocks located … [Read more...]
Clement Robert wins 2013 Moët UK Sommelier of the Year
Clement Robert, head sommelier at Medlar Restaurant, London, has won the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013 following a closely contested final that took place on 28 May at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. A highly competitive process saw 15 quarter-finalists whittled down to six semi-finalists who then competed for three places in the final, with Tobias Brauweiler, … [Read more...]
David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay: off to Vegas?
Gordon Ramsay and David Beckham will open their Union Street Cafe in London’s Borough Market this September, but are rumoured to have further plans. Beckham, of course, has just retired from football and must take care that time does not hang heavily on his hands... The obvious solution? Become a restaurateur! Rumours are circulating that Steve Wynn, the billionaire … [Read more...]