The hospitality industry may be about providing food, drink, accommodation and service, but sometimes you have to go the extra mile to pull customers in. If you’re stuck for ideas on how to make your business more appealing take a look at what others are doing for inspiration.
Sushi masterclasses
Brighton-based Japanese restaurant Oki-Nami will be introducing monthly sushi-making masterclasses for customers from the end of March. Head chef Mike Dodd will host the afternoon sessions in the restaurant's kitchens where pupils will be told about the equipment and ingredients used in the preparation of the meal before learning how to cook the perfect sushi rice, how to cut fish correctly and prepare and roll fillings. Sessions are £75 per person and start on 28 March. The restaurant is also offering two hour demo classes for £25 per person for up to 10 people.
Business cards
Accor Hotels has launched a charge card for business customers to allow them to better manage their expenditure when staying in any of the group's 130 UK hotels. The card is issued free and can be used in two forms – as a central card, held and managed by a company administrator, or multiple cards can be issued to individual travellers within the company. Employees can use the card to pay for accommodation, food and drink at any of Accor's hotels and an invoice is sent to their company every month. Business accounts can also be managed online by the main card holder.
Guest chefs
The Hackney Pearl cafe and bar in East London, which opened last December, will be hosting some of London's up and coming young chefs on the third Thursday of every month. The first event, this Thursday, will showcase the work of former St John chef and now sous chef at La Fromagerie, Blake Bowden. A three course menu is £24.
St Patrick's Day
Pub group Grand Union is offering customers a pint of Guinness and a gourmet burger (or salad) for