Casual Dining

A gastronomic evolution: the rise of scientific cooking

01-Apr-2009 By Becky Paskin

As Heston Blumenthal and his inventive creations become increasingly admired and replicated by chefs the world over, Becky Paskin asks whether molecular gastronomy is the future of cooking

Business rate u-turn gives hospitality industry welcome break

01-Apr-2009 By Emma Eversham

Chancellor Alistair Darling puts a stop to plans to increase business rates by 5 per cent from today to help businesses meet the challenges of the current economic climate

Compass trading well in 'difficult environment'

31-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The contract caterer predicts a 4 per cent drop in revenue, but is expecting to deliver increased operating profit for the first half of the year

Pub launches own-label wine to beat duty rise

31-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The Charles Lamb pub and kitchen in Islington creates an own-label wine so it can continue to sell European wines for a reasonable price

Piccolino’s owner continues expansion despite profit drop

30-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Individual Restaurant Company, owner of the Piccolino’s and Bar & Grill brands, plans to open at least four new sites this year despite seeing profits fall by more than half in 2008

Itsu announces expansion plans with Covent Garden branch

30-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Healthy eating chain Itsu has announced plans to open up to six outlets in 2009, the first due to open in Covent Garden’s newly developed public square in May

Weak pound and international events may boost hotel industry

26-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

A report by PKF consultants shows how international events, the weak pound and budget hotel developments may help soften the blow of the recession in 2009

Tourism Minister tells industry to be greener

26-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Tourism Minister Barbara Follett calls for the industry to be more environmentally responsible in order to secure its long-term future

Britain’s best catering tutor reveals her secrets

26-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Margaret White, the Most Inspirational Tutor as voted for in the College Restaurant of the Year awards, reveals how she keeps her students passionate about the industry

Travelodge creates iPhone application

25-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Travelodge becomes the first UK hotel group to create a free GPS room booking service for owners of Apples iPhone

Jamie Oliver’s mentor closes Italian restaurant

25-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Jamie Oliver’s friend and mentor Gennaro Contaldo has been forced to close his London restaurant, Passione

Cask ale outperforming beer sales to keep pubs afloat

24-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

An industry report has found sales of cask ale are outperforming those of beer, with pubs offering the drink faring better than those that don’t

Roast head chef helps kidney disease sufferers

23-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Roast head chef Lawrence Keogh has written a cookbook aimed at kidney disease sufferers

Great British Menu chefs prepare for cook off

23-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Sixteen chefs from across the UK get ready to compete in the fourth series of Great British Menu

Restaurant and hotel ideas for Mother's Day

20-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

A handful of restaurants and hotels share their ideas for marking the event

Thames Valley’s catering school celebrates 60th birthday

19-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

The London School of Hospitality and Tourism at Thames Valley University celebrates its sixtieth anniversary by honouring four industry-famous former students

Alcohol consumption drops 3.2 per cent

18-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Alcohol consumption fell by 3.2 per cent in 2008, a drop that saved the economy £804m through reduced alcohol harm

Jamie Sherriff buys second London gastropub

18-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The former Zucca restaurateur and The Spencer Arms owner takes over The Salisbury gastropub in Fulham

Roux Scholarship 2009 finalists announced

16-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Six chefs have been chosen to go through to the finals of this years Roux Scholarship for the chance to win lifetime mentorship from the Roux family

Win a restaurant for £25

16-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

A landlady has launched a competition to find a new owner for her pub and restaurant in Walsall, and is charging just £25 to enter

Rising Star: Rory Baynes

16-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Lewisham College student Rory Baynes talks about his admiration for Tom Aikens, reaching the finals of the Nestle Toque DOr and why he wants to work in the hospitality industry

The Cavendish gets juicing and the Modern Pantry serves roasts with a twist

13-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants, hotels and pubs tell us what theyre currently doing to attract customers

MasterChef winner denies Le Manoir job offer

13-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Mat Follas, winner of MasterChef 2009, has denied rumours of a job offer from Raymond Blanc, instead accepting a stage at Le Gavroche

Hotel staff prepare for G20 meeting

13-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Staff at the recently re-vamped South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex get ready to host the worlds financial leaders after two months of preparations

Pub Chef award winners announced

13-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Former Northcote chef Michael Ward has been crowned Pub Chef of the Year at this year’s PubChef Food Excellence Awards with Whitbread and Admiral Taverns also picking up awards

Hotel workers predict five hotel chain casualties in 2009

11-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Forty per cent of hotel executives predict that more than five hotel chains will go into administration this year

Coffee cart operator crowned UK Barista Champion

11-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

The operator of several independent London coffee carts has been named the UK Barista Champion, and will now represent Britain in the World Championships next month

£10m Design Hotel to open in London

11-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Sanctum Soho Hotel - the latest hotel to launch under the Design Hotels umbrella - will open in London in just over a weeks time

Dakota Hotel in Nottingham becomes first MourHotel

10-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

The Nottingham hotel formerly owned by David Coultard has been launched as the first MourHotel, with a further 11 announced to be rolled out this year

Apart-hotel company finds jobs for redundant hotel staff

10-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Blue Rainbow Apartments finds jobs for reception staff made redundant by last weeks closure of Yang Sing Oriental Hotel in Manchester

Act now to benefit from domestic tourism boom, advises BHA

09-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The British Hospitality Association urges the industry to invest wisely in its businesses as the recession and increasing concerns over climate change and safety prompt shifts in our travel patterns

Sushi bar wrangles with council over licence

09-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The owner of Portobello Road sushi bar Ukai is challenging his local council over the type of licence he needs to operate it under

Hoole Hall re-branded Doubletree by Hilton

06-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The country house hotel on the outskirts of Chester becomes the fourth hotel in the UK to open under the Doubletree by Hilton brand

Seafood at Le Bouchon Breton and lunchtime burritos at Green & Red

06-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants, hotels and pubs tell us about the promotions and special offers theyre running

The Fat Duck complaints rise to 400

06-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Heston Blumenthal has seen complaints of sickness from people having eaten at The Fat Duck rise to 400, as he remains closed for a second weekend

Peyton & Byrne closes The Lawn

06-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Peyton & Byrnes al fresco restaurant The Lawn leaves Fulham Palace less than a year since opening there

Galvin at Windows to host global oyster and Champagne tasting

05-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The Park Lane restaurant will stream an oyster and Champagne tasting live online tomorrow

Gordon Ramsay Holdings finally submits 2007 accounts

05-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Gordon Ramsay Holdings has finally submitted its accounts for 2007, seven months after the Companies House deadline

Yo! Sushi's Robin Rowland named retailer of the year

05-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Rowland, Jamies Italian and JD Wetherspoons were among those honoured at M&C Reports Retailers Retailer Awards in London last night

3663 using waste cooking oil to power trucks

04-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

The foodservice operator is powering three quarters of its trucks with converted waste cooking oil collected from its restaurants and suppliers

Ministers to be quizzed over state of pub industry

04-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

The All Party Parliamentary Beer Group will today quiz five senior Government ministers over the state of the ailing pub industry

Profits up 13% at The Restaurant Group

04-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The Frankie & Bennys owner says it is in good shape for 2009 after posting pre-tax profits for 2008 of 13 per cent

Heston defends closure of Fat Duck

03-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

Heston Blumenthal has defended his decision to temporarily close The Fat Duck following a potential food poisoning outbreak

Paul Heathcote to sell flagship restaurant

03-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Chef and restaurateur Paul Heathcote has put his flagship restaurant The Longridge on the market to focus on the roll out of his Olive Press pizzeria bar and grill chain

Restaurant's pay what you want offer brings double the customers

03-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Little Bay owner Peter Ilic says the average number of covers almost doubled and takings rose in February despite leaving it to diners to decide how much they paid for their meals

Sommelier competition: regional winners revealed

02-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

The names of the 15 sommeliers making it through to the semi-finals of the 2009 UK Sommelier of the Year competition are announced by the Academy of Food & Wine

Principal Hayley adds Oakley Court to its portfolio

02-Mar-2009 By Emma Eversham

Hotel and conference venue owner Principal Hayley has taken over the management of The Oakley Court in Windsor from Heuston Hospitality

Masterchef winner seeks head chef and investors for new restaurant

27-Feb-2009 By Becky Paskin

Mat Follas, the winner of Masterchef 2009, is seeking investment as well as a head chef, for his soon-to-open Dorset restaurant, Wild Garlic

Restaurateurs given advice to ride the recession

27-Feb-2009 By Emma Eversham

Restaurateurs are more likely to stop their businesses failing during the credit crunch if they ‘go back to basics’ and concentrate on developing its unique selling point, experts have claimed

Mat Follas crowned Masterchef 2009

27-Feb-2009 By Becky Paskin

Mat Follas, a 42-year old New Zealand IT engineer from Dorset, has been crowned the Masterchef winner for 2009 after beating fellow finalists Andy Oliver and Chris Gates to the title