Sodexo, the world’s largest services company, has extended its partnership with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a further seven years. The £21m contract will see Sodexo continue to deliver retail catering, restaurant, public cleaning, sales and marketing, and events services at the RBGE. Under the extension, Sodexo will now also provide staff dining and cleaning services … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2015
Christmas Day: 251% bookings increase
An increasing number of families are opting to take the stress out of Christmas this year by choosing to dine out, according to Bookatable.co.uk which has reported a 63 percent year on year spike in Christmas Day bookings to its restaurants nationwide. 251% increase in bookings In the last four years, Bookatable has seen an 251% increase in Christmas bookings from 2011 … [Read more...]
Michelin-starred Eneko Atxa of Azurmendi to open at One Aldwych Hotel
One Aldwych Hotel London and Azurmendi Bilbao, are to partner and launch an informal Basque restaurant and bar. Eneko At One Aldwych will open in Summer 2016 and will feature three Michelin-star Chef Eneko Atxa’s inventive interpretation of traditional Basque country cuisine, inspired by Azurmendi but delivered in a relaxed and friendly fashion. The Covent Garden … [Read more...]
Rick Stein opens doors in Sandbanks
After months of planning and preparation, Rick and Jill Stein have officially opened the doors to their biggest restaurant yet, in Sandbanks, Dorset. Fantastic location Friends, family and local businesses joined the Stein family to celebrate the opening with Rick commenting, “A restaurant in Sandbanks is pretty special due to its fantastic location with the beach on one … [Read more...]
Luke Johnson, Simon Kossoff and Steve Richards lead Casual Dining’s 2016 Keynote line-up
With visitor registration now open, Casual Dining – the UK’s multi-award winning trade event for the multiple restaurant and pub group sector, has announced its initial Keynote line-up for 2016. Returning to the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, on 24-25 February next year, the show’s extensive Keynote programme will feature an exclusive interview with Luke … [Read more...]
JOB OPPORTUNITY for Editorial Assistant
H&C News (Hospitality and Catering News), the leading website, newsletter and events organiser for the UK foodservice industry is expanding and looking for a new editorial assistant to join the team in Ascot. Launched in 2009, H&C News provides news and analysis on all aspects of the UK foodservice and accommodation industry – covering restaurants, hotels, pubs, bars … [Read more...]
Lee Miller appointed as executive head chef at Aintree Racecourse
Jockey Club Catering has appointed Lee Miller as its new executive head chef at Aintree Racecourse. Miller brings with him a wealth of culinary experience, having joined the Jockey Club Catering team at Aintree Racecourse from ACC Liverpool (Liverpool Echo Arena), where he was also executive head chef. In his new position, Lee will oversee the kitchen operations, leading a … [Read more...]
New head chef for DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre
The DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre has announced the appointment of Morten Rengtved as Head Chef at its highly popular Bread Street Brasserie. Danish-born Morten brings a wealth of experience to the restaurant, having previously worked at the King’s Manor Hotel in Portobello and the Dalmahoy Marriott Hotel & Country Club. Morten also took part in the hit … [Read more...]
Crossbasket Castle to re-open as top Glasgow luxury hotel
A 14th Century castle in High Blantyre on the outskirts of Glasgow has been rescued from ruin and is set to open in spring next year as a luxury hotel, restaurant and event venue managed by Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI). Businessman Steve Timoney and his wife Alison Reid-Timoney bought Crossbasket Castle in 2011, a year after it was listed on Scotland’s … [Read more...]
Low Wood Bay culinary team strengthened
English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has recruited Daniel Winstanley as the new Kitchen Head Chef at Low Wood Bay Resort Hotel & Marina, whilst Marc Sanders moves across from The Wild Boar to take the reins as Resort Head Chef. The new appointments align with the 2016 expansion plans for the iconic 4 star hotel, which has been run by the Berry family for more than … [Read more...]
Robinsons drives sales with wi-fi connectivity
Robinsons Brewery’s legal Wi-Fi scheme, in partnership with EvolveODM, AB InBev and Diageo, has received over 850,000 connections within the first 12 months. The Wi-Fi, which is offered to all pubs within Robinsons estate, has so far been taken up by 82 pubs with the vision to roll out to every site without secure, legally compliant Wi-Fi within the brewery’s 300 strong … [Read more...]
Azzurri Group transformational year and strong growth
Azzurri Group, a market leader in the Italian casual dining sector through ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama, has announced its financial results for 2015 with Steve Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group, commenting: “2015 has been a truly transformational year with the acquisition of ASK and Zizzi creating a major player in the UK casual dining sector. At the same time, the … [Read more...]
HOSPACE 2015 sets the scene for 2016
HOSPACE is HOSPA’s annual Conference and Exhibition for hospitality finance, revenue management, IT and commercial professionals, and an event which goes from strength to strength in terms of attendance – clear evidence that the programme and speakers deliver the value that justifies a day or more out of the office. Over 450 attended last week to participate in plenary … [Read more...]
Peroni and Grolsch for sale?
Anheuser-Busch In Bev may have to avoid problems with a number of regulators by selling off SAB Miller’s Peroni and Grolsch brands. The £71 billion ‘Megabrew’ take-over of SAB Miller is creating the world’s largest brewer – but attracting the close attention of competition authorities, who could block the deal. No price for the two brands has been set, but possible … [Read more...]
Catermasters secures £6m in new and retained business
Catermasters, part of the CH&Co Group, has won new contracts worth £3.2m, and retained business worth £2.9m over the duration of the 3-5 year contracts. The new wins include four sites with Orbit Independent Living across the Midlands and South of England, a catering contract with Fasset Facilities Management in Towcester, and a new contract with UTC Oxfordshire to … [Read more...]
Neville and Giggs JV with Rowsley to develop Manchester Stock Exchange
Rowsley Ltd has entered into a joint venture with former Manchester United football stars Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs to redevelop Manchester’s historic Northern Stock Exchange building into a boutique hotel. Sixth deal in 3 months The latest deal, the sixth in three months, is another move by Rowsley to expand its hospitality business. In August, the company unveiled … [Read more...]
Hotel rates on the up across the globe
Latest data from hotel solutions provider HRS has revealed that the average cost of staying in a hotel room is on the up across most of the world, when looking at Q3 2015 compared with Q3 2014. With London retaining its position as the UK and Europe’s most expensive capital to stay in at £140 per night, Edinburgh also kept its position as the second most expensive … [Read more...]
