My memorable dining experience takes me back in time to when I visited Machu Picchu. A world away from today’s Covid-19 UK lockdown. It was 6th September 2018 aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham. My husband James and I were on our way to the world-famous ancient Incan citadel, in Peru. We boarded Belmond’s Pullman, an icon of the 1920's, feeling we were about to step back in … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2020
Sunak announces ‘great’ Job Retention Scheme news on twitter
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has just announced his job retention scheme plans on twitter. Chancellor Rishi Sunak: “The job retention scheme will be extended, for four months, until the end of October. “By that point, we will have provided eight months of support to British people and businesses. Until the end of July, there will be no changes to the scheme whatsoever. “From … [Read more...]
No cliff edge cut off, Chancellor Rishi Sunak to update on furlough later today
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce later today the Government's future for the furlough scheme as loud calls from the hospitality industry are made to leave it as is. Previous indications from the Chancellor include his warning that the furlough scheme, due to end in June, is not sustainable at its current 80% rate. There are now more than six million people with … [Read more...]
Caffè Nero announce more new openings
Caffè Nero has this morning announced 33 of its outlets will re-open by the end of next week. The reopening is part of its ‘takeaway only’ trial. We understand that 14 of the openings will be achieved this week, taking the open total to 40. The additional openings follow the successful initial trial of seven stores last week. Trials included clear protocols to ensure … [Read more...]
High Growth in Takeaway
Takeaway was buoyant showing sustained high growth before the onset of Covid-19. As many hospitality businesses turn to takeaway, click and collect and delivery, having the right equipment is more important than ever. Recognising this, Equipline have announced that during the Covid-19 pandemic all Antunes cooking equipment is on sale at 50% of their normal RRP. All … [Read more...]
HMS Dragon serves an unforgettable dining experience
Thinking back to a time when we were all allowed out to dine, my most memorable meal this year was a private dinner on board HMS Dragon on 14th January in Portsmouth with the captain - Commander Giles Palin. HMS Dragon is instantly recognisable by the Welsh Dragon on her bow. She is the fourth ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the … [Read more...]
New Covid-19 outbreaks in China spark second lockdowns
Jilin Province in Northeast China has declared a second lockdown following a new outbreak of Covid-19. China’s Global Times Reports the discovery of new Covid-19 infections in the city of Shulan led to lockdown in local communities and villages Saturday 9 May. To calm and manage the situation, the Communist Party of China immediately set meetings in place to monitor … [Read more...]
Workplace caterer immediately engages with easing of lockdown
Following hot on the heels of Boris Johnson’s easing of the Covid-19 lockdown guidelines, workplace catering continues to lead the market. Grazing Catering has announced the launch of ‘Desk Dine’ – a new catering service designed specifically to meet the post-lockdown social distancing guidelines. The service, which will sit alongside the caterer’s existing business … [Read more...]
Roadmap to hospitality chaos
Expectations were set high by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his team in the lead up to his much anticipated roadmap speech yesterday evening. Post evaluation of his roadmap speech sees most of us with no roadmap at all. This would certainly include increased numbers of commuters driving their cars into work this morning. Yesterday afternoon before Johnson’s speech … [Read more...]
First Class dining experiences are not always about the food
The sheer pleasure of a great dining experience can be savoured long after the table has been cleared. Restaurants all over the world trade on providing such experiences. The health pandemic sweeping the world currently means that we can only dine out on our memories, temporarily. So, wanting to avoid publishing yet another news story on the current health pandemic I cast my … [Read more...]
Free accommodation for firefighters
The Covid-19 crisis across the UK has seen many frontline key workers struggle to find suitable, safe accommodation. Many search for accommodation close to their workplaces where they can spend time away from vulnerable family members after long shifts. On hearing this, James Foice, CEO of the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers, rallied his Membership to … [Read more...]
Bristol restaurants are ignoring basic hygiene and social distancing
As hospitality businesses across the UK adjust to the Covid-19 world, consumer confidence is paramount to business recovery. Recent reporting in BristolLive has unveiled two restaurants that are paying no notice whatsoever to health and safety. Their actions are damaging consumer confidence in our industry doing us all a disservice. The reporting highlights two well … [Read more...]
Deutsche Hospitality announces reopening
Hotels all over the world are closed, or operating at a fraction of normal capacity supporting local key workers. So, as hotels emerge and return to their adjusted post Covid-19 markets, in countries that are relaxing or removing lockdown measures, those still waiting to, will be watching. Watching how those altering to their new world of hospitality execute their … [Read more...]
Foodservice adapting to reopening
This article is written with a view to give hope to anyone providing foodservice in the UK beyond COVID-19. Moreover, this is an article explaining why the staff restaurant will play a significant role in 2020 in helping rebuild the UK economy. Society has worked far too hard to evolve catering, from humble beginnings dating right back to the feudal era to the … [Read more...]