Caterer & Hotelkeeper articles from February 2009

Caterer & Hotelkeeper archives from February 2009

Going places.(Infozone)
February 5, 2009... The Irish Club has appointed a new executive manager, Charles Vernon, to launch the reopening of its new premises in London's Blackfriars. Vernon will oversee all day-to-day operations for members, as well as promoting the club's meetings and...

Andaz Los Angeles, USA.(Side Orders)(Hotel review)
February 5, 2009... This is Hyatt's second Andaz property after the launch of the brand in London last year. Located on LA's vibrant Sunset Strip, it includes the RH restaurant, offering a seasonal Continental menu and Californian wines. Opened January ...

InterContinental La Torre, Murcia, Spain.(Side Orders)(Hotel review)
February 5, 2009... This five-star hotel in the south-east of Spain is located next to an 18-hole Nicklaus Design golf course. It offers extensive conference facilities, a spa and fitness centre and includes three bars and restaurants. Opened February ...

Best Western Premier Chantemerle, France.(Side Orders)(Hotel review)
February 5, 2009... Located in the French ski resort of Chantemerle, this four-star hotel is aimed at young travellers and families. It is the first project by developer the Space Group and offers skiing in the winter and hill running and mountain biking in the...

Naoura Barriare, Marrakech, Morocco.(Side Orders)(Hotel review)
February 5, 2009... This hotel is located within a fortress in the heart of the Medina in Marrakech old town, and marks French group Lucien Barriare HA[acute accent]tels & Casino's first overseas venture. It includes 26 privately owned "ryads", which are available...

Von Essen has to postpone London launch.(News)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Luxury hotel operator Von Essen has been forced to postpone the opening of its [pounds sterling]35m new-build hotel in Battersea, London, Caterer has learnt. The venture, which marks the company's first move into London, was set to open in...

Ducasse reins in expansion for year of 'quiet transition'.(News)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Multi-starred French chef plans no openings for 2009 EXCLUSIVE By Gemma Sharkey Multi-Michelin-starred French chef Alain Ducasse will not open any restaurants this year due to the global economic slowdown, Caterer can reveal. ...

London hotels celebrate as snow hits the South.(News)
February 5, 2009... By Gemma Sharkey This week's snowstorms may have brought large swathes of southern England to a complete standstill, but for many hotels in London and near major airports, the bad weather delivered a major boost in occupancy. Caterer...

Minister hits back at hospitality over VisitBritain grant.(News)
February 5, 2009... Follett says hospitality is "fixated" with [pounds sterling]35m marketing budget, and that funding for tourism is close to [pounds sterling]700m EXCLUSIVE By James Aufenast Tourism minister Barbara Follett has criticised the...

CHI terminates franchise after demise of Real Hotel Group.(News)
February 5, 2009... Choice Hotels International, owner of the Comfort and Quality hotel brands, has terminated its franchise agreement with the Real Hotel Group (RHG), which went into administration last month. As a result, the 22 hotel properties operated in...

Elior pushes out Compass at Westland Helicopters.(News)
February 5, 2009... Eurest loses long-term catering deal at Somerset base Westland, manufacturer of military craft such as the Apache attack helicopter (above), has switched its allegiance to Elior Contract caterer Elior has won a multimillion-pound...

Book Review.(Side Orders)
February 5, 2009... An inside view of the Roux family business A Life in the Kitchen Michel Roux Jr Weidenfeld & Nicolson, [pounds sterling]25 ISBN 978-0-297-84482-2 Following hot on the heels of JoA'l Robuchon's recipe compendium The...

The briefing.(Equality and Human Rights Commission)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... * Recession guide for businesses The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a guide to the economic downturn for small businesses. The guide contains advice on flexible working as an alternative to losing staff and understanding...

Events.(HIT Scotland Emerging Talent Conference)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Now in its fifth year, the HIT Scotland Emerging Talent Conference will again award more than 100 scholarships to promising workers and students in Scottish hospitality and bring these rising stars together with industry leaders. Taking...

Picture of the Week.(Side Orders)
February 5, 2009... A Winter's Tale An employee walks through the snow inside Shakespeare's Globe theatre on London's Bankside after the capital suffered its heaviest snowfall in nearly 20 years. The Federation of Small Businesses estimated that 20% of...

In season.(orange hollandaise)(Recipe)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Byline: Rowley Leigh, chef-patron, Cafe Anglais, London Sea kale with blood orange hollandaise "I am a dedicated maker of hollandaise the old-fashioned way, cooked in a bain-marie. No instant recipes using blenders ever come close to...

Review of Reviews.
February 5, 2009... Time Out, London 22-28*January "If you're not yet a Croydoner," chef-patron Malcolm John once told Charmaine Mok over the phone, "you soon will be." That alone was good enough reason to hop on that next train to South Croydon to visit...

Jane's predictions.(Features)
February 5, 2009... She understands the problem of obesity, dismisses fears over nutrient standards and even supports the work of the School Food Trust. Chris Druce meets Jane Bristow, an unusual kind of managing director for Sodexo's education...

Best of the blogs from Caterersearch.com.(Side Orders)
February 5, 2009... An offer you can refuse Since Caterer and Kitchen Rat ran stories on a crisis of identity at the AA, the response has been overwhelming, with chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers quick to stick the knife in the one-time industry icon. Try...

Springboard award winner.(Infozone)
February 5, 2009... Springboard's Awards for Excellence celebrate what a great place the hospitality industry is to work. The 2009 awards, held at the Guoman Tower hotel, London, in November, saw InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) walk away with the Diversity in...

News.(Equality Minister Harriet Harman has warned organisations for sex discrimination)(national minimum wage rise)(European Mise en Place Cup at the Horecava exhibition )(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... * Discrimination warning A crusade to stop employers laying off more women than men during the recession has begun to prevent those facing redundancy becoming victims of discrimination. Equality Minister Harriet Harman has warned...

A war of nutrition?(0000 Templates)
February 5, 2009... Rigorous nutritional standards are set to become statutory in secondary Caterers in secondary schools are spending too much time analysing the nutritional content of menus rather than concentrating on creating healthy, delicious dishes...

JaneBristowSodexo's head of education services on why school meals will survive the latest legislation.(News)
February 5, 2009... Inside Education - is there too much detail in the new nutritional standards? Menuwatch - fine fare for Fulham at the Harwood Arms infozone: What are your rights if the company you work for goes bust? The Brits in Oz Three UK...

No business needs snow business.(News)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... It takes more than a few inches of snow to stop the yeoman team at the Caterer from publishing a magazine. But what impact did this week's inclement weather have on your business? Did some of the people who opted to "work from home" drop by...

Contents.(News)(Chris Horridge)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Chris Horridge's life in hospitality 37 5 Tourism Minister hits back at hospitality over VisitBritain funding 7 Restaurants Ducasse reins in expansion for a year of "transition" 8 Bocuse d'Or Why Simon Hulstone needs more...

The week in brief.(News)(Marco Pierre White's new restaurant)(Gleneagles Hotels Ltd. wants its staff to take early retirement)(bail to Duchy Catering's Andrew Haworth, Mike Lee and David Gooch)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Directors bailed Three former directors of Leeds catering company Duchy Catering, who were arrested under the Proceeds of Crime Act last week, have been bailed. Andrew Haworth, 45, from Bingley, Mike Lee, 47, from Bingley and David Gooch,...

IRELAND OPTS FOR COMPASS AT LANSDOWNE ROAD.(News)
February 5, 2009... Compass Group has won a multimillion-pound, 21-year deal to cater at Ireland's new Lansdowne Road stadium. Under the terms of the contract, Compass will supply all catering at the rebuilt 50,000-seater stadium when it reopens to the public...

Paul Kitching to open restaurant with rooms.(News)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Former Michelin-starred chef Paul Kitching has unveiled details of his forthcoming restaurant in Edinburgh. Kitching and partner Katie O'Brien, who left Juniper in Greater Manchester after 12 years last year, will launch a restaurant with...

Restaurants worst-hit in hospitality sector.(News)
February 5, 2009... By Daniel Thomas and Gemma Sharkey UK restaurants have been hit harder by the recession than other parts of the hospitality sector, accounting for 45% of the industry insolvencies in the quarter before Christmas, research revealed this...

Punch makes three board members redundant.(News)(Jonathan Paveley, Tracy Jones and Nigel Turpin to resign)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Punch Taverns has made three senior directors redundant and is overhauling its leased business and central support teams as part of ongoing moves to cut running costs. The roles of commercial director, strategy director and corporate...

Tomahawk hit with [pounds sterling]20,000 fine after safety breach.(News)
February 5, 2009... Tomahawk Hotels has been fined more than [pounds sterling]20,000 after workers were sent to take down a flagpole from a fourth-storey roof without the correct safety equipment - and were spotted by health and safety officials in the office...

Hulstone wants more support at Bocuse d'Or.(News)
February 5, 2009... By Kerstin Kuhn The hospitality industry needs to provide more support in the run-up to the next Bocuse d'Or, if the UK is to ever make it into the top five of the world's most prestigious culinary competition, industry figures have...

Catermasters buys In House Catering.(News)
February 5, 2009... Catermasters' purchase of a controlling stake in London's In House Catering Company will improve its ability to compete for group contracts, the contract caterer said this week. The company took a majority stake in In House Catering last...

IHG aims for $200m saving with Green Engage.(News)(InterContinental Hotels Group PLC)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) hopes to save as much as $200m ([pounds sterling]140m) on its energy costs by implementing an online comparison system across its 3,000-strong hotel estate. The system, called Green Engage, will allow...

A minute on the clockBrian Turner.(News)(Interview)
February 5, 2009... Celebrity chef Brian Turner was the British judge at the 2009 Bocuse d'Or competition, which took place in Lyon last week. He spoke to Kerstin Kuhn about his experience of the event Caterer What was it like to judge the Bocuse d'Or? ...

You can't always trust technology.(Side Orders)(Holbeck Ghyll hotel)
February 5, 2009... David Nicholson, proprietor of the Holbeck Ghyll hotel in Windermere, Cumbria, and a Master Innholder, admits that he takes an old-school approach to modern technology The internet certainly is an amazing phenomenon and the advances in...

Hospitality should add value instead of cutting its prices.(Side Orders)(Brief article)(Column)
February 5, 2009... letter of the week We all have concerns about the threats/opportunities posed by the recession and how we can best meet them. I am absolutely convinced that the answer is not wholesale discounting to attract customers and head into a...

Unemployed and forgotten.(Side Orders)(Brief article)(Column)
February 5, 2009... I have recently found myself in the unfortunate position of being unemployed, after being made redundant I have recently found myself in the unfortunate position of being unemployed, after being made redundant. I have been a general...

Don't let your staff get the discounts.(Side Orders)(Brief article)(Column)
February 5, 2009... I have just read the article about discounting written by Emily Manson (29 January, page 28) and feel very frustrated that while discounting is essential for business in such austere times, nobody gives any thought as to how to control these...

The Ark needs your support.(Side Orders)
February 5, 2009... Wakefield College has had a visit from Michael Quinn representing the Ark Foundation. Wakefield College has had a visit from Michael Quinn representing the Ark Foundation. The presentation given by Michael was inspirational,...

The Harwood arms.(Features)(Brief article)
February 5, 2009... Since opening with muted fanfare in September, the Harwood Arms in Fulham has been the source of muttered veneration for its simple, British and creative menu by head chef Stephen Williams and co-owner Brett Graham. Tom Vaughan reports ...

sunshine boys.(Features)
February 5, 2009... We're in the middle of winter, with endless cold, damp days stretching apparently to infinity, so it's no wonder that some of you might be looking again at the Australia option: sun, and often sea, with sometimes better hours thrown in. Nigel...

People power.(Infozone)(Dorchester Hotel )
February 5, 2009... No stranger to the awards podium, the five-star Dorchester hotel in London was last year named one of the UK's Best Places to Work in Hospitality in recognition of the high value it places on its staff. Joanna Wood reports Last year was...

My life in hospitality Chris Horridge.(Infozone)(chef at Cliveden hotel)(Personal account)
February 5, 2009... Executive head chef, Cliveden hotel, Berkshire I'd tell anyone who wants to be a chef: don't do it for the glamour to be like Lenny Henry on TV it takes a bit more than that, as I found out. If you really want to be the best, then you need...

Employee rights in insolvency.(Infozone)
February 5, 2009... If you work for a company that fails, the Government provides certain protections for any lost wages - but you must get your claim in on time, says commercial and property law expert David Morrison The problem Two weeks ago you looked...

Designing a better tomorrow.(Design@Hospitality, Hospitality 2009)
February 8, 2009... There's more to the cutting edge than cutlery. Everyone knows that sex sells, but at Design@Hospitality, Hospitality 2009's interior design focal point, hoteliers, restaurateurs and bar owners can learn how to do it in the best possible...

Book Review.(The Complete Robuchon)(Book review)
February 8, 2009... Robuchon writes the complete Book of JoA'l The Complete Robuchon JoA'l Robuchon Grub Street, [pounds sterling]25 ISBN 978-1-906502-22-6 JoA'l Robuchon is revered both in France and abroad. His legendary...

Contract Catering news update.(News)
February 8, 2009... * Benugo grows outside London Benugo, the cafe and deli operator, has started the year with two contract wins, including its first outside of London, estimated to be multimillion-pound in combined turnover value. The company has won deals...

The briefing.(Survey)(Brief article)
February 8, 2009... * Diners plan to eat out less Almost a third of diners expect to eat out less than a year ago, new research by Maritz has found. And the story gets worse, with a quarter expecting to eat out even less in a year's time. The survey of...

Events.(Conference news)(Brief article)
February 8, 2009... As we all know, these are challenging times. And challenging times call for a strategy. So if you are involved in the operation of any form of meetings venue, the Meetings Industry Association annual conference is a must. Handily titled...

Hoxton chain 'not on hold'.(News)(Brief article)
February 8, 2009... The founder of boutique London hotel the Hoxton, Sinclair Beecham, has denied reports that he plans to postpone expansion into a national chain due to the economic downturn. In October, Beecham announced he was planning to open a second...

Yoshi, Monte Carlo, Monaco.(Restaurant review)
February 8, 2009... French chef JoA'l Robuchon has launched his first Japanese restaurant at the five-star HA[acute accent]tel Metropole Monte-Carlo. Yoshi, which means kindness, serves a classic Japanese menu with a wide range of sake and Japanese teas. ...

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & SpaFour Seasons Hotel Macao, ChinaRadisson SAS Resort Trysil, Norway.(Directory)
February 8, 2009... Side Orders International Openings * Please e-mail your new openings to catereropenings@rbi.co.uk This resort is located on its own private island, Furanafushi, a short speedboat ride from Male International Airport. It offers...

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.(Features)
February 8, 2009... This resort is located on its own private island, Furanafushi, a short speedboat ride from Male International Airport. It offers extensive recreational facilities and seven international restaurants. Opened December Owner Starwood...

Four Seasons Hotel Macao, China.(Features)
February 8, 2009... This five-star hotel occupies one of four towers on Macau's Cotai Strip. It offers five dining venues, including its signature restaurant, Zi Yat Heen, serving authentic Cantonese cuisine. Opened December Owner Sheldon Adelson ...

Radisson SAS Resort Trysil, Norway.(Features)
February 8, 2009... Rezidor's ski resort in Norway offers access to 65 slopes as well as 100km of cross country tracks and a lit-track for night time ski lovers. It includes meeting facilities and a wellness centre with five pools, saunas and a spa. Opened...

Embrace this feedback from the web.(Letter to the editor)
February 8, 2009... Isn't the beef about TripAdvisor that you can actually see what your critics are saying about you Isn't the beef about TripAdvisor that you can actually see what your critics are saying about you? Negative comments about your business,...

Which? result is no surprise.(Viewpoint essay)
February 8, 2009... Well, well, well Well, well, well. The pigeons have come home to roost at last! Why anyone should be surprised at the Which? expose of dirty budget hotels I have no idea. At the end of the day you get what you pay for: expect cheap...

Aubergine.(Chelsea Aubergine)
February 8, 2009... After a decade behind the stove at Aubergine in Chelsea, chefs' chef Billy Drabble has exported his high standards to a sister site in Marlow on Thames. Tom Vaughan reports Menuwatch Recognised by those in the know for maintaining the...

My life in hospitality Debbie Taylor.(Old Course hotel)(Interview)
February 8, 2009... Managing director, Old Course hotel, St Andrews Highs... My Catey was an absolute high and one of the most fantastic nights of my life. I felt so privileged - like I'd really achieved something special. My first position as general...

In season.(Side Orders)(Recipes)(Brief article)
February 8, 2009... Byline: Andrew Pern, chef-proprietor, the Star Inn, Harome. Taken from his cookbook Black Pudding and Foie Gras, published by Face, UK winner of the Gourmand World Cook Book Awards 2009 Woodcock "Rossini" with yellow chanterelles and garden...

The right to flexible working.(Infozone)
February 8, 2009... Can extending the right to request flexible working offer a way to beat the effects of the credit crunch by staving off the need for redundancies? Solicitor Clare Thomas looks into the legal ramifications THE PROBLEM Would an extended...

UK recession piles on the pressure for hospitality.(News)
February 8, 2009... How many hotels will have to cut rates as occupancy suffers? Will the weak pound bring in tourists? The Caterer team takes a look at the year ahead Hotels By Gemma Sharkey It will be hard to avoid the mood of doom and gloom as...

The lure of the stage.(Features)
February 8, 2009... Probably the most coveted prize bestowed on winners of the annual Roux Scholarship is the opportunity to undergo a stage at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Europe. Mark Lewis visited 2008 winner Daniel Cox at Catalan chef Santi...

A Street fighter in a suit.(Features)
February 8, 2009... He's one of the most powerful men in the boutique hotel industry, owning half-a-billion-pounds-worth of properties, plus catering company Searcy's. But did Richard Balfour-Lynn pay too much for the De Vere group, and will he live to regret his...

Book Review.(Home Cooking with Charlie Trotter)(Book review)
February 8, 2009... Haute cuisine for the US middle classes Home Cooking with Charlie Trotter Charlie Trotter Ten Speed Press, [pounds sterling]17.99 ISBN 978-1-58008-934-0 As with many a major chef, Charlie Trotter started out writing...

Master of the rolls.(Side Orders)
February 8, 2009... Have you ever looked at a competitor's bread selection and thought it was something you could never do yourself? Here baking expert Dan Lepard shows you how to do it. Michael Raffael reports Basic rolls Cost price about 3.5p per 75g...

good week.(Side Orders)(Hotels and motels)(Brief article)
February 8, 2009... City workers The Hoxton hotel in Shoreditch offers 50 rooms, with Pret A Manger breakfast and a bottle of mineral water, absolutely free in a one-off gesture. Caprice Holdings The owner of the Ivy, J Sheekey and Scott's more than doubles...

Best of the blogs from Caterersearch.com.(Side Orders)
February 8, 2009... Everywhere man It seems that Heston Blumenthal, everyone's favourite three-Michelin-starred chef/scientist, isn't off our TV screens at the moment. After an appearance on BBC2's irreverent music quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks, which...

How to: manage absence.(Infozone)
February 8, 2009... Please e-mail your moves to caterernews@rbi.co.uk There are few people who haven't rocked up late to work, blaming it on the buses, trains, their children or even their parents. And quite a few of you would have to admit to an unofficial...

Going places.(Infozone)
February 8, 2009... Blakes, the restaurant situated inside the Beatles-themed Hard Days Night hotel in Liverpool, has appointed Gordon Campbell as its new head chef. Scottish-born Campbell has extensive kitchen experience, including stints at L'Escargot in London...

News.(Infozone)
February 8, 2009... * Workforce fears job cuts More than half of the UK workforce fear for their jobs this year, according to the Learning & Skills Council. In its survey of 2,000 workers, 57% said the current economic crisis had made them more worried about...

Contents.(Side Orders)
February 8, 2009... Nigel Platts-Martin gets a gong 8 7 Recruitment Hospitality faces a tough 12 months 9 Pubs JD Wetherspoon comes under fire for 99p pint promotion 10 News analysis Our predictions for 2009 11 Minute on the clock Chris...

Discounting is a business choice.(News)
February 8, 2009... Predictably, JD Wetherspoon's decision to indefinitely slash prices on certain brands of beer, lager, cider, wine and spirits across its 713-pub estate (see page 9) has polarised opinion. For visitors to website thestudentroom.co.uk, the...

A crucial time to share ideas.(Side Orders)
February 8, 2009... Michael Gray, general manager of the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill and conference chairman of the forthcoming Master Innholders General Managers' Conference, says sharing ideas will be vital as the industry prepares for recession As...

A minute on the clockChris Staines.(News)(Interview)
February 8, 2009... Chris Staines, head chef at the Michelin-starred Foliage restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, was recently appointed by Lufthansa as the German airline's first British "star chef". He spoke to Kerstin Kuhn about cooking for...

Picture of the Week.(Side Orders)
February 8, 2009... Fireworks over the Thames bring in the New Year in London but, for hospitality operators, attention will have quickly turned to the year ahead, with industry chiefs predicting that the already challenging trading environment will get worse. ...

Folio rescue deal will save up to 2,000 jobs.(News)
February 8, 2009... By Gemma Sharkey Folio Hotels has been rescued from administration in a deal that will see 13 of its properties taken over by Bespoke Hotels and the remainder by the group's existing management team. The deals, which are being handled...

Hotel sector celebrates year-on-year growth.(News)
February 8, 2009... Hotel operators in London and across the UK should be proud after achieving overall year-on-year growth during 2008, despite the financial meltdown which hit the sector in the autumn, industry experts said last week. A report from...

The week in brief.(The Restaurant Group)(Admiral Taverns appoints Peter Brook)(Whitbread PLC)(Brief article)
February 8, 2009... Diners stick to weekends Consumers are still eating out at weekends but are having second thoughts about going to restaurants during the week, the chief executive of The Restaurant Group (TRG) warned this week. Unveiling a trading update...

London's Bombay Brasserie is back in business.(News)
February 8, 2009... Bombay Brasserie, the iconic Indian restaurant in London's Kensington, reopened this week after a five-month refurbishment. The restaurant, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007, shut last August for a major redesign overseen by Hong...

Recruitment slows as hospitality faces a tough year ahead.(News)
February 8, 2009... By Gemma Sharkey The hospitality recruitment market faces a particularly difficult first quarter of 2009, with no hope of recovery until spring next year, experts have predicted. The stark warning comes after a report by the Chartered...

Industry recognised in New Year Honours list.(News)
February 8, 2009... By Daniel Thomas The hospitality and tourism industries were well represented in the New Year Honours list. Jonathan Adnams, executive chairman of brewer and pub operator Adnams, was appointed OBE for services to corporate social...

JD Wetherspoon under fire for 99p pint promotion.(News)(Brief article)
February 8, 2009... Brewer Greene King fears its IPA brand could be damaged By Daniel Thomas Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has come under fire after announcing plans to slash prices on a number of drinks, including offering a pint of Greene King IPA for...