Starbucks agronomist Carlos Mario Rodriguez crouches down in a nursery full of coffee plants, inspecting row upon row of bright green seedlings under the azure Costa Rican sky. He has spent the last two decades helping farmers around the world on how to grow high quality, arabica coffee. This need has become more urgent for the specialty coffee industry as a result of the … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2015
Bó Drake appoints Head Chef Matteo Frugone
Modern Asian restaurant Bó Drake has appointed a new Head Chef, with Matteo Frugone re-joining the kitchen having helped launch the restaurant earlier this year. Having worked at one Michelin-starred Antinè and two Michelin-starred Trussardi alla Scala in his native Italy, Frugone spent time in the kitchens at Hibiscus and Kurobuta before returning to the Bó Drake team as Head … [Read more...]
Cedar Court Hotels announces Sales and Marketing Director
Cedar Court Hotels, Yorkshire's leading independent hotel group, has appointed Tracey Ractliffe as the company's Sales and Marketing Director. Tracey will be responsible for leading Cedar Court's overall sales and marketing strategy, overseeing all aspects of marketing, strategic business partnerships and sales. She will manage a central team of four people plus the hotel … [Read more...]
Barrio Central becomes Barrio Soho
Barrio Central, one of London’s favourite late night hangouts, has re-launched as Barrio Soho following an exciting refurbishment. The new Barrio Soho will feature a new chef, a Mexican-centric food menu, and a brand new cocktail menu - while retaining the live music and party vibes for which the bar has become popular. Barrio Soho will be showcasing its new food menu, … [Read more...]
Grand Union announce new site and partnership concept
Grand Union, the well-established London bar group backed by Luke Johnson, has announced the next stage of its metamorphosis into London’s leading bar group – a new site and, with it, a new trading platform. Grand Union’s ninth site will open in Wapping E1 at Land Securities new development Thomas More Square. The 6300 sq ft site sits between the new London Docks … [Read more...]
Chefs Vegetarian Recipe of the Week, Mexican Pizza
Ingredients 1/2 box Fry’s Meat Free Mince 1 pizza base Peri-peri sauce to taste 1/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated (or vegan cheese) 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated (or vegan cheese) 1/2 small onion, peeled and sliced Chilli to taste Method Defrost Mince and chop into smaller pieces. Mix with peri-peri sauce and chopped chillies (according to … [Read more...]
Luxury hotel picks Max-Top for boutique finish
Surface specialist Max-Top is thrilled to announce that the Alexander Hotel group has installed Max-Top Quartz surfaces at its boutique hotel, Rowhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa, in Kent. The luxury four-star hotel has fitted eight of its Luxury rooms and bathrooms, and 12 of its Classic rooms with Max-Top’s unique Pearl White Sparkle surfaces. Stephen Moss, managing … [Read more...]
Single-serve wine steals the show at theatres
Theatres, cinemas, and live entertainment venues across the country are boosting their wine sales by opting to sell Intrepid Fox single-serve wine. The Intrepid Fox ‘wine in a glass’ presents a more attractive alternative to serving wine from bottles into flimsy plastic cups, while the ‘all-in-one’ nature of the product reduces serving time, wastage, and storage costs. Due … [Read more...]
A quite irresistible beetroot dessert, by Mridula Baljekar
Serves 6 This recipe is based on a traditional Indian dessert known as ‘gajjjar ka halwa’, in which finely grated carrots are cooked in milk and ‘khoya’ (dried evaporated milk). Khoya adds a glorious richness to the dessert, but it is time consuming to make. I added some richness by adding double cream although it does not create the same taste and flavour. The beetroot, … [Read more...]
Liberation Group acquires landmark Alderney hotel
Liberation Group has acquired a landmark property in Alderney as the company maintains its growth strategy. The company has purchased the Chez Andre hotel and bar, which is the Island’s largest hotel and is situated in the heart of the capital, St Anne. The hotel has 28 bedrooms, a bar and restaurant that can cater for up to 60 covers. There is also an Orangery and two al … [Read more...]
£6 million luxury spa for Mallory Court Hotel
Boutique hotel operator Eden Hotel Collection has announced that work has begun on a luxury spa in the grounds of the award-winning Mallory Court Hotel in Royal Leamington Spa. This is the first full-scale spa development that the group has undertaken, working in partnership with Spa Creators and NH Interiors on the build, which is projected to be £6 million worth of … [Read more...]
Grant Sous Vide to partner with The Skills Show 2015
Grant Sous Vide, a leading provider of professional sous vide equipment, are pleased to announce their partnership with The Skills Show 2015. Taking place at The NEC, Birmingham from 19th-21st November 2015, The Skills Show is the nation’s largest skills and careers event attracting over 75,000 visitors each year. It attracts hundreds of exhibitors from a range of … [Read more...]
Quorvus Collection appoints Global Brand Director
Carlson Rezidor has announced the appointment of Carina Svensen as Global Brand Director for the Quorvus Collection, a new generation of expertly curated luxury hotels, inspired by the lifestyle and sensibilities of the contemporary global traveller. Svensen’s appointment further establishes Carlson Rezidor’s commitment to the emerging brand and its unique proposition. In … [Read more...]
Arc Banyan Project success leads to more work for NoChintz
Amidst the excitement of the redeveloped Corn Exchange in Manchester, Northern Quarter based creative studio NoChintz, has completed designs for the £1.5m Banyan restaurant and bar situated within the scheme. The success of the project has led Banyan owner, Leeds-based bar and restaurant operator Arc Inspirations, to appoint NoChintz on two further Banyan venues in Leeds and … [Read more...]
The Pig, Hants leads Condé Nast Readers’ Travel Awards 2015
Condé Nast Traveller has published the winners of its worldwide awards, including the Top 20 Hotels in the UK – won by The Pig, Hampshire – and Favourite UK Business Hotels, with the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London leading the way. Top 20 hotels in the UK What are the favourite British hotels to take a break in? The Pig in the New Forest is at the top of the list, for … [Read more...]