Earlier today Michael Wignall announced that he is to leave Gidleigh Park departing after the New Year. The announcement comes two years after Michael joined Gidleigh Park in January 2016 and follows a successful partnership, with Michael being awarded many accolades including two Michelin stars just nine months after starting at the hotel. Stephanie Hocking, CEO Andrew … [Read more...]
Archives for 2017
You may only need to kiss one frog this New Year’s Eve
Seeing as the holidays are just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll be ringing in 2018. If you haven’t found the right spot yet, you can come and join the celebrations at the Frog restaurants for an extravaganza to remember. Chef Adam Handling has created an evening worthy of your New Year’s celebration at both The Frog E1 in Shoreditch and the newly … [Read more...]
Paolo Bianchi appointed as Executive Chef at Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel
Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel in Courchevel 1850 is delighted to announce the appointment of Executive Chef Paolo Bianchi. Joining the team ahead of the upcoming ski season, Bianchi will lead the culinary team at Les Grandes Alpes, reimagining the menu at Le Bizan restaurant – the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, and drawing upon his Italian routes to evolve the extensive … [Read more...]
Trattoria 51 set to celebrate christmas day with a true italian feast
Trattoria 51 is preparing to celebrate Christmas Day in true Italian style with a range of yuletide menus for everyone to enjoy. The Old Hall Street eatery will host its Christmas Day 51 Special for the third consecutive year following high demand. Ahead of the big day, those looking to partake in the festivities can enjoy Trattoria 51’s aptly named lunch and dinner … [Read more...]
A French Epiphany at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester will be featuring the ‘Galette des Rois’, on the Lunch Hour Menu, between the 10th and 12th of January, 2018. Traditionally served in France at the start of the New Year, the ‘Galette des Rois’ is a delicate puff pastry and almond cake in which a lucky charm is hidden. The guests who discover the charm will win a special ‘Galette des Rois’ of … [Read more...]
Peckham Levels now open South London’s new cultural hub
Peckham Levels, a new creative and cultural space for South London is now open having transformed the unused inner levels of Peckham’s famous multi-storey carpark. The top two floors are open to the public, seven days a week as a cultural destination where visitors can discover and interact with some of South London’s most exciting creators across food, drink, wellbeing and … [Read more...]
Christie’s London, finest & rarest wines & spirits sale total
Christopher Munro, Head of London Wine Department comments: “Rare Bordeaux and Whisky starred in today's wine sale. We witnessed the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of whisky at Christie's as an ultra-rare bottle of Dalmore 62-year-old made an astonishing £114,000 more than doubling its pre-sale estimate. A full case of Cheval Blanc 1947 made a record price in … [Read more...]
New Zia Lucia opening in Brook Green, January 2018
Independent pizzeria, Zia Lucia, is opening a new local restaurant in Brook Green in late January 2018. Following on from the launch of the first Zia Lucia in Islington in 2016, founders Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D’Angelo are bringing their authentic Italian neighbourhood pizzeria to this leafy part of West London, an area close to their hearts. At the forefront of … [Read more...]
FA Cup set to clash with Harry & Megan’s Royal Wedding, BBPA calls for extra pub hours
The FA Cup Final looks likely to clash with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding after it being announced that the marriage ceremony will take place on FA Cup Final Day, May 19. Apparently, the FA Cup Final date is planned and set in advance with no room for review. Meanwhile, the British Beer & Pub Association is leading calls for extended pub hours on the … [Read more...]
Research, Quality and Brand Experience unveil a taste of the future for branded coffee
The UK coffee market in 2016 reached a turnover value of circa £9 billion with branded coffee chains accounting for nearly half of the sector’s revenue. So, no surprise that leading caterers look to develop their presence in such a high growth and high profit margin market. We were invited to attend Compass Group UK & Ireland’s launch of two new coffee brands earlier … [Read more...]
SSP opens new concept called Factory Bar & Kitchen at Birmingham Airport
SSP, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, has opened a new bar and restaurant at Birmingham Airport. Called Factory Bar & Kitchen, the new concept has been inspired by Birmingham’s heritage, and pays tribute to the pivotal role the city played in the industrial revolution. Factory Bar & Kitchen serves an array of British … [Read more...]
The forgotten workhorse – 7 tips for refrigeration maintenance
In the foodservice business, refrigeration is the unsung hero of the kitchen. It’s the only appliance kept running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, yet all too often forgotten when it comes to regular maintenance and servicing. And with the value of stored food running into thousands of pounds, any failure is not only inconvenient, but expensive, not to mention the health … [Read more...]
Admiral Taverns strengthens operations team to support growth plans
Admiral Taverns, the UK’s number one community pub group is pleased to announce the appointment of Kiernan Lynch as Regional Operations Director for the East and South East. 2017 has been a significant year for Admiral, which has seen the Group welcome on board new investors to support its ambitious growth plans and confirm the acquisition of 17 new pubs across England and … [Read more...]
ALMR: Scottish business rates proposals are a welcome trigger for wider reform
Following the Scottish Finance Minister’s proposed Draft Budget announcement in Holyrood this afternoon, the ALMR has welcomed positive business rates measures. With hospitality businesses hardest hit across the UK, ALMR’s CEO, Kate Nicholls welcomed the inclusion of almost all the Barclay Review recommendations in the Draft Budget, as well as additional proposals. “The … [Read more...]
New Covent Garden Market launches innovative hub for London’s food businesses
New Covent Garden Market has unveiled the first phase of its £130m development which will see it become London’s dominant food hub and an incubator for the UK’s brightest and most exciting up-and-coming food makers, creators and thinkers. The Food Exchange is a workspace, kitchen space and food culture venue that will form the first stage of the Food Quarter – a vibrant, … [Read more...]