Casual Dining

SMALL TALK

Jasper Cuppaidge of Camden Town Brewery on crowdfunding and running 'awesome' pubs

20-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

Camden Town Brewery launched its Hells Raiser crowdfunding campaign to help finance a new brewery in February and has already over-reached its £1.5m target. Founder Jasper Cuppaidge talks about his reasons for going down the crowdfunding route and why...

Online review sites improve business standards, says TripAdvisor

19-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of UK businesses have taken steps to improve their service as a result of an online review, according to new research by TripAdvisor.

Poor staff soft skills could create industry crisis by 2020

19-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Foodservice and accommodation businesses are at risk of a major staffing crisis by 2020 if more is not done to recognise the importance of soft skills, a report by Development Economics warns.

VisitEngland asks industry for views on tourism growth strategy

18-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

VisitEngland is asking for views on the growth strategy it has in place for England's tourism industry over the next five years.

Budget 2015: Mixed news for the hospitality industry

18-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

The 2015 budget brought good news for pubs across the UK, with a reduction in duty on beer, cider and spirits, but failed to mention a cut in Tourism VAT.

IFE 2015 Preview: 23 British chefs to demonstrate culinary expertise

18-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

Alyn Williams, Adam Smith and Alan Bird are among the 23 British chefs demonstrating their skills and providing inspiration to others at this year's International Food and Drink Event (IFE).

NRB 2015: 90 per cent of top Northern operators planning expansion

17-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Nine out of ten of the Top 50 most influential members of the Northern hospitality sector are planning expansion.

New hospitality apprenticeship standards approved

17-Mar-2015 By Mark Wingett

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has approved five new apprenticeship standards for hospitality that will expand the range of options available to young people.

Hospitality and bar courses tackling youth unemployment

17-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Employment charity Springboard has partnered with drinks company Diageo to launch its first Learning for Life Hospitality and Bartending course this week (16 March).

Drake & Morgan operations director aiming to secure two more sites this year

16-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

Drake & Morgan’s new operations director said he is keeping the company’s acquisitions momentum going with the aim of securing another two sites in the coming financial year (2015-2016).

Apothecary inspired restaurant opening at M by Montcalm hotel in London

16-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

A restaurant inspired by the apothecary history of Shoreditch is opening at the M by Montcalm hotel in London.

Loch Fyne, Burger King and Hungry Horse among restaurants creating 'a generation of salt addicts'

16-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Loch Fyne, Burger King and Hungry Horse are among the ‘family friendly’ restaurants whose children’s meals have been found to contain dangerously high levels of salt.

Noble Inns to open second Neil Rankin-inspired Smokehouse

16-Mar-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Noble Inns is to capitalise on the success of its Islington smokehouse and grill concept by opening a second site in West London.

Second Boozy Cow to open in Edinburgh

13-Mar-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

The company behind an Aberdeen restaurant that specialises in burgers, craft beers and cocktails is to replicate the concept in Edinburgh.

General election 2015: Cut alcohol duty to woo voters, WSTA argues

13-Mar-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

A cut in alcohol duty in next Wednesday’s Budget (18 March) could significantly influence the outcome of May’s general election, according to a poll conducted for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Hungry Donkey bringing Greek cuisine to The City

12-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

A new Greek restaurant inspired by Hellenic street food is opening in Aldgate, London, in April.

Jason Atherton aims to raise £100k through Hospitality Action Sundays

12-Mar-2015 By Stefan Chomka

Jason Atherton is aiming to raise £100k for industry charity Hospitality Action this summer by running an intiative that will see members of his team pair with other tops chefs for a number of special meals.

Dining trends indicate UK eating out sector set to grow by £10bn by 2019

12-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

The UK foodservice sector will grow by £10bn to be worth £56.3bn by 2019, with a number of smaller brands expanding to be high street chains, Horizon’s forecast this week (10 March).

Casual dining restaurants lead sector growth for 23rd consecutive month

12-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

Sales at some of the UK's biggest restaurant and pub groups rose for the 23rd consecutive month in February with casual dining brands leading the growth.

Industry responds to EU food allergen controversy

12-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Following the publication of a letter in which over 100 chefs criticised EU food allergy regulations as being a ‘bureaucratic nightmare’, BigHospitality rounds up some of the responses and looks at the guidance available to help restaurants comply with...

Front-of-house staff to be celebrated on National Waiters' Day

11-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Front-of-house staff will be celebrated on National Waiters' Day on 21 May.

BBC Apprentice finalist Saira Khan launches Mitchells & Butler's new apprenticeship scheme

11-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

BBC Apprentice finalist Saira Khan has launched Mitchells & Butler’s new Apprenticeship Scheme.

Top chefs criticise 'bureaucratic nightmare' of EU allergen regulations

10-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

EU food allergy regulations have created a 'bureaucratic nightmare', according to over 100 leading chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers.

NRB 2015: 'World wakes up to strength and potential' of Northern England's dining scene

10-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

The chief executive of hospitality trade show Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) believes ‘the world has finally woken up to the strength and potential' of Northern England's dining scene as he experiences strong growth in the number of exhibitors...

How apprenticeships can benefit the hospitality industry

10-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

As hospitality businesses get behind National Apprenticeship Week BigHospitality examines how the schemes can benefit different sectors of the industry.

Chefs advised to consider alternatives for menus as beef and lamb prices rise

10-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

With beef and lamb prices on the rise, chefs and restaurateurs are being advised to look at cheaper, less-used cuts as well as consider featuring more pork and fish on Easter menus to avoid putting off customers with inflated prices.

'Hybridisation' drives pub growth

09-Mar-2015 By Carina Perkins

The UK pub market is set to outpace the casual restaurant sector in terms of growth this year, as operators continue to diversify their offer, according to the latest report from Allegra Foodservice.

Hospitality Industry supports National Apprenticeship Week 2015

09-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality businesses across the UK are supporting National Apprenticeship Week, celebrating the positive effects the training schemes have on the industry and national economy.

Entries open for MasterChef: The Professionals 2015

06-Mar-2015 By Carina Perkins

Chefs from across the UK have been invited to apply for the eighth series of MasterChef: The Professionals.

BHA backs government probe in to online review sites

06-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) is encouraging its members to share their experiences of online consumer review sites with the government.

#chavgate restaurant: How to respond to negative reviews

05-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

After Manchester restaurant 47 King Street West was caught up in 'chavgate' and criticised for its damning response to a review posted by a disgruntled customer on its Facebook page, we speak to social media experts to find out the best way...

Millenials could be key to reviving British seaside tourism

05-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Large numbers of young people taking short wellness holidays could help revive British seaside resorts, according to BDRC Continental’s Holiday Trends 2015 report.

Food hygiene standards improve in Wales

05-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Food hygiene standards in Wales have risen in the year since it was made compulsory for businesses to display their food hygiene rating.

Hospitality businesses form the majority of start-ups and remain optimistic about the future

04-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality businesses form the majority of young enterprises in the UK and are more optimistic about future prospects than the wider business community, according to research released yesterday (3 March) by the Department for Business, Innovation and...

West End's 'strong dining scene' helps area contribute £51bn to UK economy

04-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

The 'strong dining scene' in London's West End, led by Michelin-starred restaurants and 'vibrant independents' helped the area contribute more than £51bn to the UK economy last year, according to a new report.

The Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or

04-Mar-2015 By Carina Perkins

With the finals of the 2015 Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or just around the corner, BigHospitality takes a look at what makes the competition so unique.

Best Western to launch hi-tech Vib hotels

03-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Best Western GB are launching Vib, a new range of high-tech hotels.

Premier Foods launches Mother's Day and Easter menu guide

02-Mar-2015 By Carina Perkins

Premier Foods has launched a new menu solutions guide to help foodservice outlets make the most of opportunities around Mother's Day and Easter.

Chefs urged to check supply chain after nut traces found in cumin and paprika

02-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

Chefs in restaurants, hotels and pubs using spices and spiced products in dishes are being urged to run extra checks with their suppliers after traces of almond protein were found in five products on sale in the UK.

The Mac Factory begins London expansion with Covent Garden pop up

02-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Street food concept The Mac Factory is opening a weekly pop up at Covent Garden based Earlham Street Clubhouse, and plans to open a permanent site later this year.

Hospitality businesses among UK’s best companies to work for

02-Mar-2015 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality businesses including Red Carnation Hotels, T.G.I Fridays and Marriott Hotels have ranked highly in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For list 2015.

PS - the Pub Company rolls out Blue's Smokehouse concept

27-Feb-2015 By Carina Perkins

PS - the Pub Company will open its second Blue's Smokehouse in Twickenham this weekend as it looks to roll out the concept in and around London.

Infographic: Bacon butty trends

27-Feb-2015 By Carina Perkins

Brits have voted on what makes the best bacon butty, with some interesting findings for pubs, restaurants and hotels to take note of.

Half of hospitality businesses make use of zero hour contracts

27-Feb-2015 By Sophie Witts

Fifty-three per cent of hospitality businesses make use of zero-hour contracts, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

VIEWPOINT

Simon Jenkins on how we can improve prospects for pastry and pastry chefs

27-Feb-2015 By Emma Eversham

Simon Jenkins is the group pastry chef at Marcus Wareing Restaurants. He talks to BigHospitality about why giving pastry chefs more recognition could help make it easier to recruit and retain people in this sector.

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The definitive guide to ScotHot 2015

26-Feb-2015 By Carina Perkins

ScotHot – Scotland’s food, drink, hospitality and tourism show – will return to Glasgow’s SECC on 4 to 5 March 2015.

Alcohol licence fees to continue to be set nationally

26-Feb-2015 By Emma Eversham

Alcohol licence fees will continue to be set at a national level until the Home Office can source more evidence that allowing local authorities to do so wouldn't put 'an undue burden' on pubs, restaurants and hotels.