Casual Dining

Julien Richard wins 50th Le Taittinger Prix Culinaire

17-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Chef Julien Richard from Hotel Bendor in Les Iles Paul Ricard in France has won the 50th Le Taittinger Prix Culinaire International contest, whose judging panel included Michel Roux Jr from Le Gavroche and Amandine Chaignot from the Rosewood Hotel in...

City & Guilds launches digital professional chef qualifications

17-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Professional hospitality body Worldchefs has teamed up with skills education group the City & Guilds to launch a new digital tool allowing professional chefs and educators to gain certification ‘on the job’.

Stay Original adds Shaftesbury pub The Grosvenor Arms to portfolio

17-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Boutique hotel and pub operator Stay Original has acquired its fifth site - The Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury, Dorset. 

Brexit could boost VAT Campaign, says new letter to 40 MPs

17-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Brexit could have a positive effect on the hospitality VAT Campaign, a letter from the Campaign to 40 Conservative MPs has said.

Customers choosing branded groups over independents, says NPD Group

16-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Customers are more likely to spend at branded restaurants and pubs rather than choose independent operators for food and drink, a new report has suggested.

Mary Quicke’s Academy of Cheese to offer accredited UK qualification

15-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

British cheesemaker Mary Quicke MBE has launched a new Academy of Cheese to offer professional and accredited qualifications to UK chefs, makers, retailers and cheese lovers.

Chef shortage to worsen this Christmas and beyond

15-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants face a 'real headache' this Christmas with recruitment agencies warning that they will not be able to provide enough chefs to meet demand due to the industry's ongoing skills shortage. 

Bompas & Parr creates waterfall cocktail ‘experience’ at Westfield London

14-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Experimental gastronomy group Bompas & Parr is to team up with Westfield London to offer a new ‘fantasy’ Christmas cocktail ‘experience’, including a boat journey across a lagoon and under a waterfall.

First Revolución de Cuba opens in Scotland

14-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The Revolution Bars Group is to open its first site in Scotland under the Revolución de Cuba brand – in Aberdeen – as well as a new site in Reading, Berkshire. 

Gold Service Scholarship announces 2017 semi-finalists

14-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Gold Service Scholarship has announced the semi-finalists set to compete for the 2017 award.

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to deal with blacklisted guests

14-Nov-2016 By Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis of online booking specialists Welcome Systems gives his top tips for hospitality businesses trying to deal with unwelcome guests. 

Mans Market Hong Kong-inspired restaurant to open in Leeds

11-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Mans Market, a Hong Kong-style restaurant from Ray Chan, founder of events firm Candypants, is to open this month (November) in Leeds.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 07/11 - 11/11

11-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.

TRENDS

Six food and drink trends to watch in 2017

11-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

The food and drink product trends set to make an impact over the coming year have been revealed with ancient grains, plant-based products and calming ingredients predicted to make it big in 2017.

Bunga Bunga opens Covent Garden outpost

10-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

Inception Group has extended its eccentric restaurant portfolio with a new outpost of its Bunga Bunga brand in Covent Garden.

Crowdfunding success accelerates Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen rollout

10-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn is planning to bring forward the opening of its Beer Kitchen sites in England and North America due to the success of its current crowdfunding campaign. 

American tourists to spend extra £1bn in UK post-Brexit

08-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

The weakened pound could see US tourists spend an extra £1bn in the UK next year, according to new research.

Restaurants cut energy consumption to offset rising costs of labour and stock

08-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant and pub group operators have been looking at cutting energy consumption across sites to help them offset the rising costs of labour and stock.  

Personalised offers are key to getting loyal customers, says report

08-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Establishing a loyal and engaged customer base ‒ with targeted marketing and opportunities for guests to give feedback ‒ are the best ways to grow your revenue, according to a new report from digital agency Propeller.

Roux family starts search for Roux Scholar 2017

07-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

The Roux family has started its search for a new Roux Scholar with the launch of the 2017 Roux Scholarship competition. 

UK curry ‘at risk’: Enam Ali MBE hits back at PM immigration ‘backtrack’

07-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Enam Ali, the founder of the British Curry Awards, has called out Prime Minister Theresa May for what he calls a ‘backtrack’ on immigration laws, which he claims will now put the UK’s curry industry at risk.

London appoints first Night Czar to help boost night time economy

07-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

London's night time economy is to get a boost following the appointment of Amy Lamé as the capital's first Night Czar. 

Whitbread to open third Bar + Block Steakhouse

04-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Hospitality giant Whitbread is opening its third Bar + Block Steakhouse, in Whiteley, Fareham in February 2017.

D&D London names Victoria site Aster, with Helena Puolakka as exec chef

03-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

D&D London’s new London Victoria Nova site is to be named Aster, and will see former executive chef at Skylon and former La Tante Claire head chef, Helena Puolakka, join as executive chef.

Have we reached ‘peak coffee’? Horizons reports industry slowdown

03-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The coffee shop sector could be reaching its peak, amid a wider slowdown in new entrepreneurial activity in foodservice, according to the latest Ones to Watch report from consultancy Horizons.

Wahaca apologises for norovirus outbreak and vows to find source

03-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Founders of Mexican-style casual dining group Wahaca, Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby, have vowed to find the source of the suspected norovirus outbreak that closed nine of its sites.

Hurley House hotel with chef Michael Chapman opens in Berkshire

03-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Hurley House, a new hotel in Berkshire with chef Michael Chapman ‒ former head chef at the Michelin-starred The Royal Oak at Paley Street ‒ has officially opened.

Personal service still paramount despite rise in restaurant tech

02-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Personal and attentive service is still the most important thing in restaurants, despite the rise in mobile ordering and payment technology, a new report suggests.

Chefs' Secrets of Success: Josh Eggleton

02-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

In the second of a series of videos on tips for success, we spoke to Josh Eggleton, chef patron of the Michelin-starred Pony & Trap pub, and fish and chips restaurant Salt & Malt in Chew Magna, director of Yurt Lush Cafe, and regular BBC Great...

Confidence at 12 month high for UK's hospitality and tourism businesses

01-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Confidence levels among the UK's hospitality and tourism businesses are at a 12 month high according to figures gathered by tourism trade association UKinbound. 

Eating out spending ‘robust’, but pressure rising on businesses to speed up service

31-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Spending on eating out in restaurants, pubs and cafes rose in the past three months, although businesses are feeling more pressure than ever to deliver a super-fast service, according to research released today.

Antipodea all-day brasserie and bar to launch from Brew Café group

31-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The team behind London-based café group, Brew, is to open a new all-day dining, bar and retail venture named Antipodea, in west London’s Kew Gardens, next month.  

Ninth series of MasterChef: The Professionals to air from 8 November

31-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

BBC Two’s MasterChef: The Professionals is to begin its ninth series on 8 November, with Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing and former Le Gavroche chef Monica Galetti returning as judges.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 24/10 - 30/10

28-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

From the industry’s reaction to the Heathrow expansion, to the best pub of the year, we revisit some of the week’s top stories

Smiths of Smithfield to open first new site in three years

28-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Smiths of Smithfield is to open its first new site in three years, with a restaurant and bar in London’s Cannon Street on 21 November.

The Marksman, Bethnal Green named Michelin Pub of the Year 2017

28-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The Marksman pub in London’s Bethnal Green has been named Michelin Pub of the Year 2017, after beating 500 other establishments in the Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2017.

Introducing the Chefs’ Choice Awards

26-Oct-2016 By Chefs' Choice Awards

Calling all foodservice companies: the new Chefs’ Choice Awards are your chance to show the restaurant industry that you are best in class. 

Drake & Morgan confirms rebrand of two Corney & Barrow sites

26-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The London-based restaurant and bar group, has confirmed the rebranding of two of its recently acquired Corney & Barrow sites, with The Otherist, on Old Broad Street in the City, and the Pagination on Cabot Square.

Hospitality welcomes Government decision on Heathrow

25-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The hospitality and tourism industry, including the BHA, UKinbound and VisitBritain, has welcomed today’s decision to expand London Heathrow Airport.

Former Joël Robuchon chef to open Bōkan at Novotel Canary Wharf

25-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Bōkan, a new restaurant and roof terrace from Aurelie Altemaire, former head chef at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, is to open at the 313-bedroom Novotel Canary Wharf hotel in January.

Grind reveals details of new flagship Clerkenwell venue

24-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

London-based coffee group Grind has revealed more details about its new flasghip site in Clerkenwell, set to open in Old Street in November.

Springboard announces Awards for Excellence 2016 shortlist

24-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Industry charity Springboard has announced the shortlist for its 2016 Awards for Excellence.

Michelin chef Josh Eggleton to open Bristol pub

24-Oct-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Michelin star­-winning chef Josh Eggleton has taken over a new pub in Bristol with the former director of Butcombe Brewery, Guy Newell, the Morning Advertiser has reported.

The Kitty Hawk 'department store for dining' to open in London

24-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The Kitty Hawk, a so-called 'department store for dining', is to open at River Plate House in South Place, London on 17 November.

Locals are key to your hotel’s success, say expert hoteliers

21-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Local business is key to the success of your hotel, whether it’s an urban hub or country house, according to hotel experts.

Prezzo staff win National Waiters' Day race

21-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Front-of-house staff took part in races across the country last week as part of the National Waiters' Day celebrations.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 17/10 - 21/10

21-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.

Hourly hospitality pay outstripping minimum wage

21-Oct-2016 By Mark Wingett

Hourly pay for UK hospitality workers is already significantly outstripping new legal minimum wage thresholds, research by Fourth Analytics has revealed.

Pubs and restaurants see strong September sales

20-Oct-2016 By MCA

Consumer spending on eating and drinking out continues to hold up post­-Brexit vote, with managed pub and restaurant groups reporting collective like-­for-like sales up 1.8 per cent in September against the same month last year, according to latest Coffer...

Final recipients of first round Discover England funding revealed

20-Oct-2016 By Emma Eversham

Projects designed to boost tourism on the East Coast and help international visitors explore the English countryside by electric car are among the final recipients of the government's £40m Discover England Fund.