The Roux family has announced the sad passing of Albert Roux, OBE, KFO, who had been unwell for a while, at the age 85 on 4th January 2021. Albert is credited, along with his late brother Michel Roux, with starting London’s culinary revolution with the opening of Le Gavroche in 1967. His son, Michel Roux Jr, says that Albert’s sheer love of life and passion for making … [Read more...]
Leon CVA approved by creditors saving 670 jobs
The creditors of healthy fast food chain Leon Restaurants Limited (Leon) have approved a plan to restructure the firm’s finances through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), preserving 670 jobs. 90 per cent of creditors approved proposals put forward by business advisory firm Quantuma on behalf of Leon. Quantuma’s Andrew Andronikou and Brian Burke will now act as … [Read more...]
Thank you Hospitality, from Cyrus Todiwala OBE
Dear Friends of Hospitality and every facet of it, There is a tremendous buzz around social media as a consequence of Claire Bosi supported by various leaders within our industry requesting the government to appoint a Minister for Hospitality. And I can’t tell you how delighted I was to see the petition cross the required 100,000 signature line this morning. Congratulations … [Read more...]
Rita Ora, Casa Cruz, The Royal Borough, and Covid questions
It seems, if you have enough money and live in a celebrity bubble, you can delude yourself and ignore Covid-19 restrictions lesser mortals are required to follow. This delusion can also be passed onto a restaurant if you have pockets deep enough to entice transmission. Casa Cruz restaurant in London's Notting Hill entered into the national limelight last weekend for hosting a … [Read more...]
All staff and customer technology touchpoints at The Clink secured
ENS have installed UV Clean solutions that kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including coronavirus, on staff and customer technology touchpoints at The Clink Restaurant in Styal. The Clink is no ordinary restaurant, situated within a working prison their food is prepared and served by prisoners in training to gain qualifications that reduce reoffending rates. At The Clink … [Read more...]
Gordon Ramsay opening new £80 Burger restaurant in Harrods next week
Gordon Ramsay has announced he will be selling £80 burgers in his new restaurant in West London’s Harrods opening next week. From early indications on Instagram diners are eager to consume them. Ramsay’s Wagyu burgers, set within a bun also containing fresh black truffle, Pecorino cheese and cep mayonnaise start at £80, if you want chips that’s extra. For diners that do not … [Read more...]
KFC new restaurant design: building revenue by limiting person to person contact
KFC restaurants are going to look and feel very different in the near future. Covid-19 has boosted revenues, and parent Yum! Brands are investing in adapting to drive those increased revenues even higher. The impact from Covid-19 has seen hospitality adapt to survive in a new business landscape that has changed the fundamentals of how people eat out. KFC revenues of circa … [Read more...]
The Clink extends home delivery helping families struggling to eat
The Clink Training Restaurant, operating from HMP Brixton, has announced this week its partnership with the Albrighton Community Fridge on London’s East Dulwich Estate as well as launching its winter menu for the Clink@Home delivery service for its customers. Due to the success of the Clink@Home delivery service launched in July 2020, we have extended our delivery zone to … [Read more...]
London’s Broadgate to welcome Italian hospitality and 300 new hospitality jobs
Italian food market and restaurant Eataly will open its doors to the UK in Broadgate, London early next year with the creation of 300 new jobs in hospitality. Eataly London will host three restaurants, including the finer dining concept Terra, opening in summer 2021. Eataly will also host London’s biggest Italian winery, food to go, and a zero-waste produce refill … [Read more...]
The Clink Christmas Gift, giving doubled in one click
If you are looking for something different as a Christmas gift this year, for family, friends, work colleagues, why not take a look around The Clink Charity gift shop. The Clink Charity works to reduce reoffending. We are a unique charity, training serving prisoners in catering skills, within a real-life work environment whilst helping them gain academic qualifications. … [Read more...]
Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala announce closure of Café Spice Namaste
Café Spice Namaste in Whitechapel East London is without doubt one of the warmest welcomes in hospitality. Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala for 25 years welcomed diners in a way only they can. Unfortunately today we have the responsibility of announcing the closure of Café Spice Namaste. Early in the New Year, the Todiwala’s will be moving to different premises, not too far … [Read more...]
Shake Shack open new delivery only restaurant on lockdown day one
When lockdown two starts on Thursday 5th November, it will limit all restaurants to delivery and takeaway service only. We are delighted to report that the entrepreneurs at Shake Shack have reversed that limiting factor into a positive. Shake Shack has announced that it will open a delivery-only Shack in Reading on Thursday 5th November, delivering Shack to the people of … [Read more...]
McDonald’s lockdown 1 learning applied to easing impact of lockdown 2
McDonald’s have reacted to the new lockdown immediately to minimise the impact and maximise trading. The first step was to stimulate business with the launch of a new sale giving customers 30% off the entire menu. It started at 11am this morning and will run to Sunday, 15 November. Mindful of the lockdown and that only takeaway diners will be allowed into a restaurant, the … [Read more...]
Updating Tripadvisor safety measures for diners looking for them
We wrote recently about Tripadvisor’s safe restaurant gap opportunity in London. The opportunity arose following Tripadvisor adding a new filter that enables diners searching where to eat to identify restaurants that have put safety measures in place. We are delighted to now feature a 'How To' from Chris Wilkie at Stampede explaining how best to ensure the safety measures you … [Read more...]
New Group GM appointed at Adam Handling Restaurant Group
George Hersey has been promoted to Group General Manager of the Adam Handling Restaurant Group, just two years after joining the company as GM for the opening of The Frog Hoxton, Iron Stag and Bean & Wheat. He will be responsible for all AHRG’s sites across London. Adam Handling says: “George is a real star of the industry, and so valued in our business His … [Read more...]
Boparan confirms acquisition of Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) confirms the acquisition of the GBK burger brand and 35 trading sites, saving over 600 jobs. GBK joins The Cinnamon Collection, Fishworks, Carluccio’s, Slim Chickens, Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner, and its purchase gives BRG a 99-strong portfolio of restaurants nationwide with 32 franchised globally. Satnam Leihal, Managing Director of BRG … [Read more...]
Only Food and Courses, fine dining ‘Greasy Spoon’ stylie
Only Food and Courses, a new restaurant and pop-up events business, has launched today, offering guests a modern take on food and interiors inspired by popular culture and culinary trends from the 80s and 90s. The business, developed by Robbie Lorraine and Martyn Barrett, will open its first site in early November at Pop Brixton in a repurposed shipping container. It will … [Read more...]
