Casual Dining

Bath Ales set to open largest food-led pub to date

05-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Independent south west-based brewer Bath Ales is set to open its 11th managed pub and its largest to date when the latest site under the Graze brand launches near Bath Spa train station.

James Durrant: Career Profile

05-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Chef James Durrant recently saw his life ambition come true when he bought, renovated and opened his own restaurant – The Plough Inn in Hampshire. A protégée of Gordon Ramsay, Durrent worked within GRH for nine years, starting at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay...

M&J Seafood launches new Tally initiative

05-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Trade seafood supplier M&J Seafood has introduced a new service - the Tally initiative - which allows chefs to trace the fish they buy back to the fishmonger who prepared it.

New management training programme launched to improve hospitality's customer service standards

04-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

With Channel 4’s Hotel GB currently highlighting the importance of customer service standards in the UK (albeit in Big Brother fashion), the People 1st Training Company has developed a new programme to give UK managers the skills to create a long-lasting...

Marston's hails pub-restaurant impact, plans to open 20-25 new sites

04-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Marston's has revealed its move into opening pub restaurants is paying significant dividends by increasing the company's exposure to the casual dining market while the operator has committed to opening 20-25 new pubs in the 2013 financial year.

The Tippling House bar & restaurant to open in Aberdeen

04-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The man behind cocktail catering company 10 Dollar Shake is launching his first bar and restaurant, The Tippling House, in Aberdeen later this month.

Call Systems Technology launches lightweight two-way radio for busy catering businesses

04-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Call Systems Technology has launched the Motorola CLP mini two-way mini radio for use in busy restaurants where staff need to be able to communicate with each other quickly and easily.

Burts and Diageo team up to launch Guinness flavoured crisps

03-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Premium crisp producer Burts Chips has teamed up with drinks producer Diageo to launch Guinness flavoured and branded crisps. 

Brasserie Blanc and TGI Friday's managers scoop AFWS Excellence Awards

03-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

High street restaurant chains were the big winners in last night's Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS) 2012 Annual Awards for Excellence with two Brasserie Blanc and TGI Friday's general managers scooping the top prizes.

Pizza Pilgrims devise menu for revamped Princess of Wales pub

03-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Street food vendors The Pizza Pilgrims have been appointed chef consultants at Clapton pub The Princess of Wales, which has re-launched this week following a five-week revamp. 

Restaurant groups cut energy consumption by up to 15% by changing staff behaviour

02-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant and pub groups such as Nando's, Pizza Hut, Mitchells & Butlers and JD Wetherspoon are cutting their energy consumption across the business by as much as 15 per cent by getting their staff to make small changes to their behaviour. 

McCain develops mashed potato product for caterers

02-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

McCain Foods has developed a mashed potato product for the foodservice sector which allows caterers to produce creamy and fluffy mash in 15 minutes. 

Colombian rum La Hechicera launches in the UK

01-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

La Hechicera, a premium rum from Colombia is now available in the UK and is being aimed at mixologists and bartenders at high-end bars and restaurants.

Orchid ups food focus as it reports fall in earnings

01-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Pub and bar operator Orchid Group has reported a 5.4 per cent drop in EBITDAR in 2011, although turnover grew by 3.7 per cent to £179.6m as the company announced a £20m programme which will see all of its wed-led pubs become food-led. 

Barracuda restructures, becomes Bramwell Pub Co

01-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Barracuda Pub Company has been renamed The Bramwell Pub Company in a restructuring which sees ex-Mitchells & Butlers chief executive Adam Fowle appointed as chairman and the newly-formed company benefitting from a credit facility of up to £10m from...

Cask ale sales back in growth for first time in 20 years

28-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Around 2.2 million barrels of cask, equating to some 633 million pints, were sold in the UK last year, marking a 1.6 per cent uplift in volume on 2010 - the first increase in sales of the drink since 1991.

Just Desserts creates Fever Tree ginger beer cheesecake for Christmas

28-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

In the last part of the BigHospitality guide to new Christmas products available to hospitality businesses, we put the spotlight on Just Desserts latest range of alternatives to Christmas pudding including a Fever Tree ginger beer cheesecake.

Planning for Christmas 2012: Creating the perfect menu

27-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

It doesn't matter how much you've prepared,what events you’re running,or even if you’re thinking of doing something completely differentthis year, if you want to have yourself a profitable Christmas, the quality and variety of the food and drink...

Off the menu? How the global pork shortage could affect your business

27-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Chefs and restaurateurs across the country are being forced to reconsider the meat options on their menus after a global shortage of pork and bacon has been deemed ‘unavoidable’ next year by Britain’s National Pig Association.

Red Tractor Week highlights increasing importance of food quality assurance on menus

27-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

With Red Tractor Week currently underway, a new survey from the not-for-profit organisation has revealed that over half of diners (56 per cent) now look for its symbol when eating out.

3663 adds new crackers to its Christmas range

27-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Foodservice wholesale distributor and supplier 3663 has released details of its Christmas range of products including new luxury crackers and the return of Woodland Kraft sustainable crackers.

Shaun Rankin to leave Bohemia to focus on solo venture and TV work

26-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Shaun Rankin has announced plans to quit his role as head chef at Jersey's Michelin-starred restaurant Bohemia to focus on a solo venture and his TV career. 

Planning for Christmas 2012: How to host the perfect event

26-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

As we’ve seen, preparing for the festive season early on is vital if you want it to go smoothly for your business, impress your customers and ultimately keep tills ringing. 

Strong beer, food and room sales help Shepherd Neame's profits rise nearly 40%

26-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Strong performances across the areas of beer, food and accommodation at Shepherd Neame has led to the brewer, pub and hotel operator experiencing a pre-tax profit rise of almost 40 per cent to £9.1m.  

Business bank: is the Government missing the point again?

26-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The new ‘business bank’, which will be handed £1bn of taxpayers’ money in a bid to kick-start lending to small and medium-sized British firms, is ‘missing the point’ and will have to overcome the same barriers as high street lenders.

Classic Cuisine introduces trio of turkey ready meals for Christmas

26-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Frozen ready meal manufacturer Classic Cuisine has created a trio of turkey meals to add to its Christmas range of products for hospitality businesses.

Planning for Christmas 2012: Something a bit different...

25-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

What do Elvis Presley, The Mad Hatter and a nautical sailor all have in common? Aside from all being popular choices at a fancy dress party, all three have formed the inspirations for some of the quirkier themes and events that hospitality businesses...

Pierre Koffmann voted Chefs' Chef of the Year at AA Hospitality Awards 2012-2013

25-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Legendary French chef Pierre Koffmann picked up the prestigious Chefs’ Chef accolade at last night’s AA Hospitality Awards in an evening which also saw Antonio Carluccio, Hibiscus and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal take home some of the top gongs.

Twinings launches limited edition festive tea blends

25-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Traditional tea manufacturer Twinings has added three limited edition seasonal tea blends to its foodservice trade range in a bid to add value to caterer's Christmas menus.

Purple Flag Week: How hospitality businesses can make the most of destinations after dark

24-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

National tourist board VisitEngland has issued a new set of guidelines for the hospitality and tourism industries in a publication entitled ‘The Evening & Night Time Economy’, which encourages businesses to make the most of the night time economy...

ASK THE EXPERTS

How can I attract more tourists to my restaurant, hotel or pub?

24-Sep-2012 By Philip Britton

Philip Britton of UKinbound advises hoteliers, restaurateurs and publicans on how they can make the most of the inbound tourist market and ensure tourists are heading their way when they visit the UK.

Molson Coors welcomes beer tax milestone after report reveals scale of pub closures in Scotland

24-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

With the beer tax e-petition last week reaching its target of 100,000 signatures, Britain’s largest brewer, Molson Coors, has released a report revealing the shocking scale of pub closures across Scotland due to the ‘excessive taxation on beer and pubs’.

Rumble in the Kitchen raises £55k for Galvin's Chance

24-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Rumble in the Kitchen, the boxing event set up by Galvin at Windows general manager Fred Sirieix, has raised more than £55k for charitable programme Galvin's Chance. 

Chef Africa: Ashley Palmer-Watts's African Diary

24-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick and Ashley Palmer-Watts

While Ashley Palmer-Watts travels to Kenya to represent the hospitality industry on a Farm Africa challenge you can follow his progress here as he updates this blog with thoughts, reactions, photos and video.

Planning for Christmas 2012: Why preparation is key to success

24-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The end of the Jubilee and Olympic summer can mean just one thing – Christmas is coming! As festive thinking caps are donned to work out how to unwrap seasonal profits, what should hospitality operators be doing to plan for the change from gold medals...

Brakes launches braised beef cheeks meal as Christmas turkey alternative

24-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Food producer and distributor Brakes has launched a braised beef cheeks frozen meal it says offers caterers planning their Christmas menus a good alternative to the traditional turkey.

Robert Cook and Grant Hearn to headline HOSPA conference

24-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

HOSPA has revealed the line-up for its annual conference - HOSPACE 2012 - which will see Robert Cook, Grant Hearn and Angela Vickers headline its Leaders Panel.

Brakspear to partner with Claude Bosi following the acquisition of Fulham's The Malt House pub

24-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Brakspear has made its sixth purchase since returning to the acquisition trail earlier this year by buying The Malt House pub in Fulham from Spirit Pub Company which will now be let to Jolly Fine Restaurants - the company owned by Michelin-starred chef...

Chef Africa: Follow Ashley Palmer-Watts's Kenya trip exclusively on BigHospitality

23-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

In less than 24 hours Dinner by Heston Blumenthal head chef Ashley Palmer-Watts will begin his trip to Kenya as an ambassador for the hospitality industry - BigHospitality will be accompanying him so you can follow every step of his journey.

Cheshire publican targets female pub-goers with food-led venue The Black Swan

21-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Black Swan pub in Cheshire has re-opened after a six-month, £500k refurb with the new owner targeting female pub-goers with the food-led venue which she hopes will be the first of a number of sites.

Ad man Edwin Chan to open French wine bar and restaurant in London

20-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Advertising executive Edwin Chan has announced plans to open a French wine bar and restaurant in London next month following the success of his first venue in the French city of Lyon. 

Chef Africa: Hospitality industry encouraged to play its part in helping African communities become self-sufficient

20-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Ahead of Ashley Palmer-Watts's forthcoming trip to Kenya, members of the hospitality industry are being encouraged to follow his progress and get involved with the Farm Africa charity, which aims to give aid and knowledge to African communities to...

Beer tax e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures, forcing Parliamentary debate

20-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The British beer and pub industry is today celebrating as the Government e-petition calling on the abandonment of the controversial beer duty escalator has finally exceeded the 100,000 signatures needed to trigger a Parliamentary debate.

Scotland’s first Hospitality and Tourism Academy gets Government backing

20-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Less than two weeks after the Scottish Government injected £1m into the country’s food and drink firms, it is pledging further support for the hospitality and tourism industries by giving official backing to Scotland’s first dedicated Hospitality and...

Erlenbacher introduces 'best selling' apple cake to UK market

20-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Frozen bakery supplier Erlenbacher is launching its Premium Apple Cake in the UK, a best-seller in its native Germany. 

High achiever Le Manoir's James Goodyear dubbed one to watch by Craft Guild of Chefs

19-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

James Goodyear, a chef at Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, has been dubbed 'one to watch' by the Craft Guild of Chefs (CGC) after achieving the highest ever score in the association's Graduate Awards. 

Bar Sport seeks franchisees to grow brand following Britain's year of sport

19-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Bar Sport, the American sports bar model founded by Scott Murray, is looking for more franchisees to help grow the business following a year of sporting success for Great Britain. 

Rumble in the Kitchen: How a boxing match plans to give future hospitality talent a chance

18-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Twenty-two members of the industry are set to battle it out in the boxing ring later this week for Rumble in the Kitchen, a charity event designed to raise funds for the into work programme Galvin's Chance.

ALMR accuses the Government of 'moving the goal posts' on minimum pricing

18-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has called the Government response to the Health Select Committee report on alcohol minimum pricing 'disappointing' with fears the policy will not significantly tackle the problems caused...

Encouraging year-end trading for D&D London on day Old Bengal Warehouse opens

17-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

D&D London's chairman and chief executive Des Gunewardena today reported an 'encouraging' performance at his London restaurants after profit across the group rose 4 per cent to £4.2m despite a 'continuing backdrop of economic uncertainty'.