Caterer & Hotelkeeper articles from February 2008

Caterer & Hotelkeeper archives from February 2008

The briefing.(Infozone)(briefs)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... * Confidence lowest since 2003 Business confidence in Britain has fallen to its lowest level since 2003, a new study from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has shown. The ICAEW said confidence had fallen...

Peach's spring collection.(Infozone)
February 21, 2008... With blossom starting to appear on the trees, the weather warming and the nights drawing out again, thoughts naturally turn to spring. But, as Chris Walton discovers, for the chefs at the Peach Pub Company talk of spring has been in the air for...

Going places.(Infozone)
February 21, 2008... The Greystreet hotel in Newcastle has appointed Paul Stephens as general manager. He joins the Niche Hotels site from Best Western's Derwent Manor country house hotel in Northumberland, where he was general manager for five years. Mark...

News.(Infozone)(Ronald Davidson was unlawfully sacked from Globe Tavern)(gloomy outlook on jobs front)(surveys on, some people do like Mondays)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... * Bar manager wins age payout A former bar manager has been awarded [pounds sterling]14,695 compensation for age discrimination and unfair dismissal. A Carlisle employment tribunal found that Ronald Davidson was unlawfully sacked three...

Table Talk.(Side Orders)(taxes and traffic lights)
February 21, 2008... Taxes and traffic lights It is heartening to hear that hospitality operators are still engaging in direct action to get the Government to take their views seriously. Tom Allchurch, the man behind healthy fast-food chain Fresh Italy, made...

awakenings.(Features)
February 21, 2008... Few topics stir debate quite like the gastropub movement. What does the term actually mean? Has it changed since its conception? Is it now a parody of itself? Tom Vaughan gets to grips with these questions and looks at where the movement is...

Book Review.(Side Orders)(The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook)(Book review)
February 21, 2008... Cooking's in the blood The Fairtrade Everyday Cookbook Consultant editor Sophie Grigson Dorling Kindersley, [pounds sterling]16.99 ISBN 978-1-4053-2005-4 The Mushroom Feast Jane Grigson Grub Street, [pounds...

Last chance to plant an Acorn.(Features)(Calendar)
February 21, 2008... From such Acorns mighty hospitality oaks do grow. Just look at the proof: John Campbell, Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White, Marcus Wareing, James Horler, Michael Caines, the list goes on. But hurry, because if you feel like touting a young...

Gastropub 'babye_SSRq is growing up fast.(News)
February 21, 2008... Rightly or wrongly, in the early 1990s two words were fused together to describe a growing trend of dining out in Britain. "Gastronomy" and "pub", perhaps unlikely bed partners until then, gave birth to "gastropub", and the term was applied...

My new kitchen.(Inside)
February 21, 2008... L'Autre Pied opened in November as the sister restaurant to London's When Shane Osborn and David Moore found the perfect site for their second London restaurant, in Blandford Street, not too far from their two-Michelin-starred Charlotte...

The Prince Arthur.(Features)
February 21, 2008... The fifth in Tom and Ed Martins's gastropub mini-empire, the Prince Arthur, is the epitome of the movement's success, offering good food in a casual setting. Tom Vaughan reports If you believe the mirror above the bar, the Prince Arthur is...

Destination dishes.(Features)
February 21, 2008... Three pubs were rewarded by this year's Michelin guide, one receiving its first Michelin star and the other two named as Rising Stars, tipped to receive a full star in the future. To showcase the variety of food available at pub tables across...

Review of Reviews.(Side Orders)
February 21, 2008... The Evening Standard, London 13 February Fay Maschler finds Tom Aikens's new fish and chip restaurant, Tom's Place in London SW3, to be leaden, patronising and self-consciouse_SClBI read somewhere that the decline in sharks is leading...

Ask CESA.(Inside)(Catering Equipment Suppliers' Association)
February 21, 2008... CESA, the Catering Equipment Suppliers' Association, Q Whenever we've thought about buying a deep-fat fryer, we've been put off by the issues around "oil management". What are the key factors to consider? A With a deep-fat fryer oil...

Frequent fryers.(Buy It)
February 21, 2008... If fried food is a regular feature of your menu, there will be room in your One of my earliest memories is sitting on the workbench of my mum's kitchen watching her with eager anticipation as she cut crinkle-shaped chips on a Friday night....

My worst job.(Infozone)(interview with June Donnery)(Perran Sands and Riviere Sands Holiday Parks)(Interview)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... June Donnery is general manager of Perran Sands and Riviere Sands Holiday Parks, Cornwall. What has been your worst job? I was the food production manager at Butlins in Bognor Regis in 1998, and that meant very early mornings. ...

Side Orders.(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... Our back pages: stories from the Caterer vaults The Caterer, Hotel Keeper and Refreshment Contractor's Gazette, 15 October 1909 One of Bernard Shaw's most whimsical characters in the last of his plays, Getting Married, relates how he...

Peach commits to ethical food-sourcing policy.(News)(Peach Pub Company)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... Peach Pub Company has outlined plans to use sustainable fish sources and 100% free-range chicken across its estate. The pub operator - a Caterer Adopted Business and Best Places to Work in Hospitality winner - will roll out the sustainable...

fairtrade champions.(Features)
February 21, 2008... The Fairtrade movement has gone from strength to strength in the retail trade, and now it's targeting the hospitality industry. Karl Cushing reports Having won over retail giants like Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer, the Fairtrade movement...

Features.
February 21, 2008... By Wolfgang Weinmann (pictured right), producer partnership manager, Cafedirect Global warming is one of the fiercest challenges facing the world today. As a consequence coffee, tea and cocoa production across the developing world is under...

Back to the source.(Supplements)(Interview)
February 21, 2008... At the heart of the Fairtrade movement is the drive for suppliers and distributors to build direct working relationships with crop producers in developing countries. Caterer spoke to three people who had gone to seehow Fairtrade was making a...

WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?(Supplements)
February 21, 2008... With the growing awareness that there are both winners and losers from globalisation, the term "fair trade" is commonplace throughout the hospitality industry and wider society. But just what is fair trade? Ross Bentley finds out First and...

Something in the water?(Infozone)
February 21, 2008... Hotels with spa centres can expect them to generate a healthy stream of profits - but communal bathing facilities can quickly spread infection unless a tight watch is kept on hygiene. Emma Allen reports Spas have become the must-have hotel...

Plenty of customers want smoke-free pubs.(Side Orders)
February 21, 2008... letter of the week With reference to your news story headed "Smoking ban drives two million away" (Caterer, 7 February, page 8) I, as a non-smoker, positively love going to pubs now. Has anyone done analysis on the number of...

Features.
February 21, 2008... * Seared Bridlington sea scallops with squid ink pasta, caper and lemon butter, [pounds sterling]9.95/[pounds sterling]18.95 * Deep-fried pollack croquettes, potted shrimp and flat parsley salad, wild garlic veloute, [pounds...

Thee_SFlb people's choices.(Features)
February 21, 2008... The winners of the 2008 Caterer and Hotelkeeper Best Places to Work in Hospitality Awards were announced this week. Karl Cushing looks at what the top companies did to impress the judging panel The Malmaison and Hotel du Vin group "never...

British Team of Chefs back in competition.(News)
February 21, 2008... The British Team of Chefs made a successful return to the competition circuit at Hotelympia on Sunday after a 14-year absence. Competing in the Delice de France-sponsored La Parade des Chefs, the show's 100-cover fine-dining restaurant, the...

Good week/bad week.(News)(berries can lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes)(Asian chefs protested over plans to rid the country's kitchens of foreign chefs)(sharks nine species of the fish )(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... Culinary diversity Wales gets its first Russian restaurant with the opening of Swan Lake in Newport. Eco-friendly Easter bunnies Cadbury's is cutting its Easter egg packaging in a bid to reduce its annual plastic and cardboard use by more...

Renewing your lease.(Infozone)
February 21, 2008... Does a landlord have the right to impose new terms and demand more rent when a lease is up for renewal? Christina Christou at Boodle Hatfield explains THE PROBLEM The lease has expired on my hotel and I wish to renew. The landlord is...

Infozone Foodfile ingredients in season.(Infozone)
February 21, 2008... Fresh produce Very few new lines appear in the market at this time of year and menu-planning can become tricky. Stick to seasonal brassicas and roots for top taste and value. Purple sprouting broccoli is producing plenty of well-coloured...

UK food service spending.(Infozone)
February 21, 2008... * [pounds sterling]2.2b was spent on frozen food by the UK food service sector in 2006. * Restaurants and pubs account for half of frozen food purchases. * Wholesalers and logistics suppliers deliver half of all frozen food.

My life in hospitality.(Infozone)
February 21, 2008... Gerard Coleman Highs I'm a trained chef but my knowledge of chocolate was pretty limited in the early days, even though I knew the chocolate being sold to restaurants wasn't the best. It was different back then, though - everyone's...

Strategy clinic.(Infozone)(restaurant )(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... Sometimes guests can feel uncomfortable in a quiet restaurant, and if they're talking in hushed whispers, this creates a poor atmosphere. To set the tone for the evening, getting the welcome right is critical, and it gives the opportunity...

Infozone.(Calum Milne has been appointed general manager of the Inverlochy Castle)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... Calum Milne has been appointed general manager of the Inverlochy Castle hotel near Fort William, Inverness-shire. He becomes the first Scotsman to manage the hotel in its 38-year history and joins Inverlochy from the four-star Llangoed Hall...

The Waterhouse, London.(Side Orders)(Restaurant review)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... This is eco-friendly restaurateurs Arthur Potts Dawson and Jamie Grainger-Smith's second outlet, which is located on the banks of a canal in Hackney and run entirely on water-generated power. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as...

Room Bar, Lincoln.(Side Orders)(Restaurant review)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... Located at the recently revamped White Heart hotel, this is Room Restaurants' fourth outlet after bars in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. It offers a menu of bar snacks and larger plates as well as an extensive drinks list, including a range...

Benugo St Pancras, London.(Side Orders)(Restaurant review)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... Cafe-deli chain Benugo's latest outlet is located at the new St Pancras International station in north London. Open daily from 6am to 8pm it offers a range of sandwiches, salads and wraps that are available to eat in or take away. Opened 5...

Alea, Glasgow.(Side Orders)
February 21, 2008... Operated by London Clubs International, Alea combines a casino, a bar and the Red Leaf restaurant under one roof. Located at Springfield Quay, it is spread over two floors and features 20 gaming tables as well as slot machines and a private...

Tragic death of a 'big name in the making'.(Side Orders)(John Bradshaw)(Obituary)(Brief article)
February 21, 2008... I was saddened to read about the untimely death of John Bradshaw from a heart attack last month (Caterer, 14 February, page 6). I was saddened to read about the untimely death of John Bradshaw from a heart attack last month (Caterer, 14...

Wake up to drink dangers.(Side Orders)(Viewpoint essay)
February 21, 2008... This beautiful industry which I so believe in has sunk to even lower levels of "couldn't care a toss about the staff". This beautiful industry which I so believe in has sunk to even lower levels of "couldn't care a toss about the staff"....

Stop cruelty to sharks.(Side Orders)
February 21, 2008... I write regarding the article "Caterer loves Chinese New Year" (Caterer, 7 February, page 15), in which reference is made to Ken Lo's "special menu throughout February, including braised shark's fin with crab meat soup". I write regarding...

Beware of theft by staff.(Side Orders)
February 21, 2008... I have just read your feature "Can you weather the storm?" (Caterer, 14 February, page 30) and am astonished that among the 24 top tips for staying solvent there was no mention of auditing the financial controls of a business. I have just...

Credit crunch? It's a good time to start a restaurant.(News)
February 21, 2008... Take a positive view of the economic climate, urges PizzaExpress entrepreneur By Daniel Thomas It's a great time to be starting up a restaurant business despite the ongoing credit crunch and fears about consumer spending, according to...

a day in the life of a gastropub.(Features)
February 21, 2008... The gastropub movement has exploded in Britain in the last 15 years. But how do gastropubs differ from restaurants? Tom Vaughan spent a day at the Pipe and Glass Inn in East Yorkshire to soak up the atmosphere of a country pub "Hey, El!"...

Caterer loves.(Side Orders)
February 21, 2008... Fairtrade The Fairtrade movement has taken Britain by storm in recent years, and businesses across the country, ranging from supermarkets to hospitality businesses and even clothing retailers, have started to get involved. There are...

Contents.(News)
February 21, 2008... Star of the Month Ashley Palmer-Watts 9 7 Hotels Chef Mark Hix is to relaunch the Grill at Brown's 8 Restaurants Developers target city centres 10 Contract catering Harbour & Jones wins [pounds sterling]4.5m deal 12...

Is private equity a force for good in hospitality?(Side Orders)
February 21, 2008... This week we launch a new series of opinions, kicking off with a head-to-head debate on the increasing influence of private equity firms within the hospitality sector Yes No Last year was not a good one for private equity firms,...

SPONSORED RUN RAISES [pounds sterling]35,000 FOR INDUSTRY CHARITY springboard.(News)
February 21, 2008... Hotelympia 2008 got off to an athletic start on Sunday morning when more than 750 runners competed in the Hotelympia 10k Run around ExCel. The race was contested by a range of industry teams including BaxterStorey, the Craft Guild of Chefs,...

Brasserie Blanc pulls out of Birmingham.(News)
February 21, 2008... Raymond Blanc's brasserie chain is to end its association with Birmingham after announcing plans to move out of "high-rent" city centres and focus on serving "local communities" instead. Birmingham's Brasserie Blanc will close in the next...

Restaurant landscape changes as developers target city centres.(News)
February 21, 2008... Expert detects a shift of focus to in-town developments By Chris Druce The high-street restaurant sector is about to undergo a seismic shift as shopping centre developers move in to colonise city centres, a leading food service...

News.
February 21, 2008... February's Star of the Month is Ashley Palmer-Watts, head chef at the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire. He was nominated by Monica Brown of Lotus PR for his work teaching young children in south London how to cook. He spoke to...

Review of Reviews.(Side Orders)
February 28, 2008... The Guardian 23 February Matthew Norman describes his lunch at Sotheby's Cafe in London W1 as a good example of really well-executed wine bar food My starter was excellent, three crisp and greaseless beignets of delicate smoked...

raising the bar.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... A round-up of some top tipples to tempt your customers 1. Champagne subs Charles Lafitte Grande Cuvee - a Brut NV Champagne - is the first in the brand's sub-range to be launched in the UK. Priced at [pounds sterling]27.99, it...

Springboard award winner.(Infozone)
February 28, 2008... Springboard's Awards for Excellence celebrate what a great place the hospitality industry is to work. The Liverpool Marriott Hotel South scooped the Education Award - Large Organisation category, sponsored by the Institute of Hospitality. ...

Going places.(Infozone)
February 28, 2008... James Newton-Brown has joined department store group Selfridges as group executive chef. Newton-Brown was executive head chef at Green's Restaurant & Oyster Bar in London in charge of both the restaurant and the events part of the business. He...

News.(Infozone)(briefs)(Brief article)
February 28, 2008... * Wales pilots chef scheme A pilot scheme designed to drive up standards in the hospitality industry across Wales has been launched. The Welsh Assembly Government-funded project aims to improve the skills of chefs. Up to 180 will be guided...

Government must work with us to tackle booze abuse"Blunt instruments" will hit responsible drinkers, says BBPA.(News)
February 28, 2008... By Christopher Walton The Government has been urged to work more closely with the pub industry to address alcohol abuse rather than resorting to the "blunt instruments" of raising alcohol taxes and overhauling legislation. The British...

Green daysat Vacherin.(Infozone)(Company overview)
February 28, 2008... Contract caterer Vacherin takes a proactive stance on green issues such as sustainability, packaging reduction and recycling, and has been attempting to steer clients away from bottled water. Chris Druce reports When Mark Philpott and Clive...

accent wins three school contracts worth [pounds sterling]1.5m.(News)(Brief article)
February 28, 2008... Accent Catering has added a trio of school contracts worth [pounds sterling]1.5m in annual turnover to its books, taking its turnover in education to nearly [pounds sterling]3m with 16 schools in the private and state sectors. From the end...

Book Review.(Side Orders)(Edible Wild Plants and Herbs)(Book review)
February 28, 2008... Wild in the country Edible Wild Plants & Herbs Pamela Michael Grub Street, [pounds sterling]20 ISBN 978-1-904943-73-0 Foraging was the means by which the human race first augmented meals of hunted meat and pretty much...

BOURNEMOUTH HOTEL & CATERING SHOW.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... Bournemouth Hotel & Catering Show will serve up a host of new products and services when it returns to the Bournemouth International Centre on 11 and 12 March. It will feature stands from more than 200 suppliers, culinary activities,...

Employing foreign staff.(Infozone)
February 28, 2008... New penalties for hiring illegal workers are part of the Government's border controls package introduced this week, warns solicitor Nick Arron The problem I've heard that new fines are being brought in for employers who take on...

Strategy clinic.(Infozone)(Brief article)
February 28, 2008... "How much should I be spending on marketing, and what sorts of activity should I get involved with?" In today's competitive restaurant scene marketing is essential to attract new customers and remind old ones to return. But how much of...

My life in hospitality.(Infozone)
February 28, 2008... Peter Kay Highs... The most successful period of my career was working at the Carlton hotel in Johannesburg under executive chef Wolfgang Lehrer. I had left Westminster College after three years on the professional chefs' course and...

The briefing.(Infozone)(briefs)(Brief article)
February 28, 2008... * Small business Budget plea The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged the Government to go easy on small businesses in the forthcoming Budget on 12 March. In its annual submission to the Treasury on behalf of its 210,000 members,...

Shaune_SFlbagain.(Features)
February 28, 2008... Two dormant but outstanding features of the UK's The news that Shaun Hill has taken over the helm of one of the country's iconic culinary establishments - the Walnut Tree, near Abergavenny in South Wales - has been greeted with huge delight...

Buy It.
February 28, 2008... Left: It was a belated Valentine's present for Jennifer Orrery, who won gold in the junior salon for her decorated celebration cake Right: Hyang Soon Yoon of Brooklands College, Weybridge, Surrey, took two golds - in both the decorated...

win a three-night break for two in athens.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... Greece is the word for the winner of this month's competition, who will enjoy a break in the capital city courtesy of water treatment specialist Watling Hope It's not the sexiest of subjects, but the fact is that fat in drains is a common...

Food and drink.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... Food and drink manufacturers have been busy sourcing eco-friendly and healthy ingredients for their new catering products. Here's a round-up of what's new 1. Meaty mecca The new range of premium sausage rolls from Jus-Rol are claimed...

Equipment.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... Refrigerated wheelie bins, a variety of water boilers, noise meters and a tabletop pizza oven are among this month's round-up of hospitality equipment 1. Meals on wheels French manufacturer Bourgeat has added two new mobile cupboards...

Fry It!(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... Faster, cleaner and more efficient, a new generation of food service fryers aims to answer the practical and environmental concerns of professional caterers 1. Frying without fat Quik n' Crispy - Valera's healthy fryer that uses no...

Small and special.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... Independent hotels and restaurants looking for a point of difference are the target market for this collection of speciality food and beverage products 1. El Bulli ingredients Xantana, a sauce and soup thickener that will not distort...

mediterranean menu makers.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... We look at some of the latest food ideas to tempt your customers 1. Tap-as into pasta The De Cecco pasta range is made from durum wheat and kneaded with water from the De Cecco mountain spring. The variety includes Egg Tagliatelle,...

Bath chaps.(Features)
February 28, 2008... A regional speciality enjoying a revival in the restaurants and pubs of Bath and Bristol, this recipe for Bath chaps has been developed by chef Toby Gritten to make best use of the locally reared pork. Michael Raffael reports Bath chaps...

Get the look.(Buy It)
February 28, 2008... Here's a selection of designer tableware, toiletries and decorative talking points that can make your premises stand out from the crowd 1. Tough stemware Gourmet and Palace are the latest collections of Luigi Bormioli stemware to be...

Dehesa.(Side Orders)
February 28, 2008... After launching one London restaurant to rave reviews, Simon Mullins and Sanja Morris have struck again, marrying Spanish and Italian dishes with an eclectic wine list. Fiona Sims reports When you take a trip to Dehesa you could be excused...

Buy It.(Nestle S.A.)
February 28, 2008... special offers A brand new car, tickets for top sporting events, a kit to help celebrate the Thai New Year, and an exciting new recipe book are up for grabs Driveaway hot chocolate Aero Bubbly Hot Chocolate has whipped up a...

Buy It.(Brief article)
February 28, 2008... Above: A feature slate wall in Charcoal, supplied by Naturelli Stone, adds interest and texture to the bar and contrasts with the sleek leather furniture throughout. The low-back fixed seating next to the wall is upholstered in Ingleston...

putting on the ritz.(Features)
February 28, 2008... What could you do with an almost unlimited breakfast budget? Tom Vaughan reports on the Ritz hotel, where [pounds sterling]30 will buy you the most expensive breakfast in London It's fair to say the average Ritz customer expects a high...

the accidental restaurateurVanilla cream Terrine.(Features)
February 28, 2008... Mary Ann Gilchrist stepped into the kitchen when the Italian chef at the pizza restaurant where she was part-time manager walked out one busy lunchtime. She liked it so much that more than 30 years and many accolades later, she's cooking at her...

charity wine auction and dinner.(Side Orders)
February 28, 2008... Hunger and poverty claim 25,000 lives a day and just [pounds sterling]1 can provide a full meal for five children in Zambia. So a hefty bid for that bottle of wine at the Charity Fine Wine Auction and Dinner being held at London's 1 Lombard...

Good week/bad week.(Side Orders)
February 28, 2008... Fairtrade Sales of ethical products in Britain rocketed to nearly [pounds sterling]500m last year, up 81% on 2006. Ducks London food store Fortnum & Mason is to take duck foie gras off its shelves but will continue to sell the goose...

Striped Bass, Glasgow.(Side Orders)(Restaurant review)
February 28, 2008... This is former Buttery owner Ian Fleming's latest venture, comprising a seafood restaurant in Glasgow's Princess Square shopping centre. It offers small plates alongside bigger main courses and, if successful, will be rolled out across Scotland...

The Kings Arms, Litton.(Side Orders)(Restaurant review)
February 28, 2008... This pub in the Somerset countryside is housed in a 15th-century coaching inn and features its own herb garden and orchard. It comprises a dining room, a bar and a chef's table seating up to 16 diners and serves a classic British menu focused...