- Marco Pierre White has faced criticism from across the industry after he claimed in an interview that women were more "emotional" and less able to handle the "pressure" of professional kitchens. Asma Khan, founder of London's Darjeeling Express called his comments "extremely unhelpful" with a "staggering, almost medieval gender bias".
- Formula One World Champion and famous vegan Lewis Hamilton is backing a plant-based burger restaurant, which will open just off London's Regent Street in early September. The team behind Neat Burger already have plans to expand the concept globally, with 14 franchises lined up for the next two years.
- German restaurant chain Salaid, which specialises in chopped salad, smoothie bowls and 'choproll' wraps, is to launch in the UK this year under the name Choppaluna. Franchise owner Hero Brands, which also operates German Doner Kebab (GDK), will open the first site in London's Bloomsbury in October.
- The rising demand for plant-based meals saw orders of takeaway vegan food increase 388% from 2016-18, according to a report commissioned by the British Takeaway Campaign. Overall consumer spending on food delivery rose to £12.5bn last year, with the figure forecast to hit £15bn by 2023.
- French chef Richard Bertinet is calling on hospitality employers to support staff applying to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. Despite living in the UK for 31 years Bertinet says he was not initially granted the full settled status, though the Home Office has since been in contact to assist him.
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