Caterer & Hotelkeeper articles from January 2006

Caterer & Hotelkeeper archives from January 2006

Eat well work well.(reports on balanced diet)
January 5, 2006... In hospitality we pride ourselves on knowing all about eating well. Still, as with everyone who has long working hours and shrinking lunchtimes, it's easy to see how poor eating habits can affect the productivity of your workforce. Kirstie...

living the dream.(reports on hospitality industry)
January 5, 2006... The New Year is a time when many people think about changing their lives. Emma Allen meets some who took the plunge and switched their established careers for a life in hospitality Most of us have probably heard the tale about...

Addendum.
January 5, 2006... Diners at Tom Ilic's new beat in the City of London enjoy their offal. But there's more to the expatriate Serb's cooking than blood and guts, as Ben McCormack discovers Upmarket hotels with destination restaurants are becoming increasingly...

Snowed inn in deepest Devon.
January 5, 2006... A taste of winter snow in the run-up to the festive season gave the Dodsons an insight into how the vagaries of a Devon winter can affect business. In our last visit of 2005 to the Mason's Arms in Knowstone Joanna Wood finds out how the couple...

The first resort.
January 5, 2006... Taking over the Elephant Bar & Restaurant is no career sidestep for Simon Hulstone; it's progress along the way to becoming a chef-proprietor. Andy Lynes visited the Torquay eaterie to find out what he was learning on the English Riviera ...

Diary of legal changes to come in 2006.
January 5, 2006... 1 February Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2005 comes into force The order increases the limits applying to certain awards of employment tribunals and other amounts payable under employment legislation. The limit on the...

British tourism must keep adapting or die.
January 5, 2006... Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, looks at the challenges facing the tourism industry Tourism has undergone serious changes in the past 25 years, and our customers are now changing with it. They are forming new travel habits,...

Hospitality's year ahead.(forecast in hospitality industry)
January 5, 2006... The new year is a time to look forward and assess the future. So what's in store for the industry in 2006? Caterer's news team gives you a preview Hotels Set for a good year If 2005 failed to deliver for hoteliers, 2006 could well...

WESTMINSTER HOSTS ITS FIRST GAY WEDDING.
January 5, 2006... Westminster residents Roger Lockyer, 77, and Percy Steven, 66, were the borough's first gay couple to tie the knot after civil partnerships were legalised last month. The couple, who have been together nearly 40 years, exchanged vows in a...

The road back from hell.(environmental aspects in hotels)
January 5, 2006... A year ago, after the horrific devastation of the Boxing Day tsunami, Caterer spoke to the general managers of two resorts that were struck by the giant wave. One year on, Ross Bentley finds out how the rebuilding is going To say it has...

Regular eating out is on the increase Quality and value for money are most important factors.
January 5, 2006... BY TOM BILL Good news for hospitality businesses as a new survey shows that more people are eating out more often. According to market research company Him's survey of 1,310 diners, one in five people eat out more regularly than they...

Etridge to open brasserie at Sloane Square hotel.
January 5, 2006... London restaurateur Tom Etridge is to open a restaurant in the Sloane Square hotel. The 100-room hotel in Chelsea, formerly a Moat House-branded property, is closed for refurbishment and will relaunch in the spring. Etridge will then...

Pengelley's closes after 10 months Gordon Ramsay Holdings pulls out of Knightsbridge venture.
January 5, 2006... BY JESSICA GUNN Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH) has pulled the plug on Knightsbridge restaurant Pengelley's after only 10 months in business. The pan-Asian restaurant on the site of the former Monte's in the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel...

Ramsay, Blumenthal, Yau among honours.
January 5, 2006... Hospitality has stormed into 2006 with a host of New Year Honours, including OBEs for Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and Alan Yau. Blumenthal, chef-proprietor of the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, said: "I'm...

[pounds sterling]9m bonanza for Michels in Hilton deal.
January 5, 2006... Hilton Group boss David Michels will pocket nearly [pounds sterling]9m following the reunification of the UK and US Hilton brands, agreed last week. Chief executive Michels will quit Hilton Group once the [pounds sterling]3.3b sale of Hilton...

A minute on the clock Peter Hechler.(Interview)
January 5, 2006... The Boxing Day tsunami that struck at the end of 2004 devastated much of South-east Asia. A year after the tragedy Emily Manson talks to Peter Hechler, executive chef at the Banyan Tree hotel in Laguna Bay, Phuket, about the ordeal Caterer...

Book Review.
January 5, 2006... Wine reference classic The Sotheby's Wine Encylopedia Tom Stevenson Dorling Kindersley, [pounds sterling]35 ISBN 0-7513-3740-4 For anyone who writes about wine, or wants to start learning about wine, this book is one of those...

Caterer loves.
January 5, 2006... To detox "New year, new you" is a mantra often uttered ominously at this time of year. Whether you've spent the festive season serving the mulled wine and mince pies or bingeing on them (or both), there are plenty of ways to regenerate...

Should contract caterers promote proper lunch breaks?
January 5, 2006... "Despite generally finding ourselves as cuckoos in the nest of our clients, we have our own standards as an industry to uphold and develop. It's in our interest to encourage formal mealtime breaks." Ian Styles, marketing director, Elior UK ...

Dishing up the goods.(Buyers Guide)
January 5, 2006... Diane Lane rounds up some new products to give your service an original sparkle 1. Tasteful teatimes International table and kitchenware company WMF has introduced the Tea-Time collection of porcelain tableware, developed by...

Pressed terrine of foie gras and West Country pork belly with caramelised apples and warm black pudding salad.
January 5, 2006... Ingredients (Serves 12) For the terrine 1 whole pork belly 2 whole foie gras 200g sugar 200g salt 200cl brandy 8 apples Salt and pepper For the apple puree 2 apples 75g sugar 50g butter For the black pudding salad 1 ring of black pudding 1 head...

HULSTONE'S Suppliers.(Directory)
January 5, 2006... Fish Channel Fisheries Brixham 01803 858126 Kingfisher Brixham 01803 553232 Meat Mark Gribble Meat and Game Totnes 01803 762554 Steve Turton Newton Abbot 01626 333101 Specialist...

Just Opened.(newly opened hotels)
January 5, 2006... Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Geneva, Switzerland Luxury hotel company Four Seasons has opened its first hotel in Switzerland. On the banks of Lake Geneva in the centre of the city, the Hotel des Bergues is less than an hour's drive from...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
January 5, 2006... Tube strike bit too deep "London Tube strike had little effect" - that was the headline on Ceefax on 1 January. However, it does not tally with what we experienced. We were fully booked at Porters English Restaurant and Covent Garden...

Set your goals and make your plan.(Brief Article)
January 5, 2006... Got your sights on a big lifestyle or career change in the New Year? Before you hand in your notice, personal and professional lifecoach Dr Sally Ann Law has the following advice. First of all, take stock of where you are now. What do you...

the week in brief.
January 5, 2006... Gourmet gobbles up Bel brand Pub and restaurant operator Gourmet Holdings (GH) has completed its acquisition of the Bel and the Dragon brand. GH, which also owns the Cafe Richoux brand, paid founders Michael and Andrea Mortimer [pounds...

One big, happy family.(training programmes)(Nandocas)
January 5, 2006... Restaurant chain Nando's doesn't expect its senior staff members to wear suits but its training regime suits everybody. Melissa Cole reports Working for a company that created a fictitious Portuguese cricket team as a marketing tool, and...

Over to you.(Tim Bacon, Robin Bidgood and Andrew Turner on holiday)
January 5, 2006... Where and when did you last take a UK holiday? Tim Bacon, chief executive, Living Ventures I went to an island off Scotland in 2001. Compared with my European holidays, it was a lot colder, and the bugs were more fierce, but that reminded...

Reasons to be cheerful in 2006.
January 5, 2006... The Christmas decorations may still be up in homes, restaurants and hotel lobbies across the country, but for hospitality professionals the focus is already on the challenges of the new year. So far, the indicators are reasonably propitious...

Review of Reviews.
January 5, 2006... The Guardian 24 December 2005 Matthew Norman has a near-faultless meal at the Goring in London To step into the Goring is to enter a cocoon of Edwardian gentility in which the horrors of the world cease to register. The service...

Sell up without selling out.(business management )
January 5, 2006... If it all gets too much to tolerate and you decide to get out while you still have your sanity, where do you start? Paul Davey has the first of the answers The problem Do you own your business or does your business own you? Maybe you...

Table Talk.(Foodservice Consultants Society International meeting)
January 5, 2006... Don't ask for the pan-fry A public loo has sold for [pounds sterling]112,000 to a developer who wants to turn it into a trendy cafe. Tahir Zaman, 33, succeeded in the furious bidding at auction for the building in Morley, West Yorkshire. He...

good week/bad week.
January 5, 2006... David Michels Trousers millions after Hilton fusion. Heston, Alan and Gordon All scoop OBEs. The City of London Tipped as being the next boom market for hotel properties. Starbucks Wins two-year legal fight to stop Chinese coffee-house...

how to.(smoothie)(Brief Article)
January 5, 2006... Make a detox smoothie Ingredients 4 pears, unpeeled 3 apples, unpeeled, quartered 2 slices pineapple, peeled 12 green or purple grapes Method Mix all the ingredients together in a blender, then drink. The combination of pears, apples,...

infozone Strategy clinic BOXHEAD: The question.(Letter to the Editor)
January 5, 2006... I am the general manager of a 50-bedroom independent hotel and I'm worried about my gas and electricity bills, which have gone through the roof recently. What can I do to combat soaring utility costs? The solutions Carl May,...

Sponsored by Nestle FoodServices Best Group Marketing Campaign.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner wagamama boss Ian Neill When the judges of the Group Marketing Campaign of the Year 2005 were looking for the most enterprising and effective campaign run by a multi-unit hospitality business, they were overwhelmed by the...

Sponsored by Autograph Foodservice Best Independent Marketing Campaign.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winners Ian and Christa Taylor Targeting an international audience may seem like a challenge for any business. But for an independent hotel in the Cotswolds, the opportunity to increase overseas sales by 19% was irresistible. ...

Sponsored by Fresh Direct Chef Award.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner David Nicholls In the 22 years that it has been bestowed, the Chef Award Catey has become one of the most sought-after culinary accolades in the industry. But don't just take our word for it. "It's a great achievement...

Education and Training Award.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Cyrus Todiwala The Education and Training Award, now in its fourth year, recognises individuals who have demonstrated an innovative approach to training and continuous learning. Last year Cyrus Todiwala, proprietor and...

Sponsored by P&G Professional Food Service Caterer of the Year.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Peter Aldrich Past winners of the Food Service Caterer of the Year are all people who have demonstrated innovation, sound financial performance and motivational skills. Last year's winner, Peter Aldrich, was singled out...

Sponsored by Colliers Robert Barry Hotel of the Year - Independent.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Cotswold House Hotel customers are becoming harder to please. They're in search of an increasingly unique experience offering personalised service at a reasonable price. To stand out from the crowd in the independent hotel...

Sponsored by JohnsonDiversey Hotel of the Year - Group.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner City Inn Westminster The delicate balance between uniformity and individuality is an accomplishment few hotel groups achieve. City Inn Westminster surprised judges last year by finding this middle ground while...

Sponsored by Dudson Group Manager of the Year.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Stephen carter Stephen Carter couldn't believe it when former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan congratulated him on winning the Manager of the Year Catey last year. Although the phone hadn't stopped ringing with messages...

Sponsored by Quorn Menu of the Year.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Bohemia, jersey The Menu of the Year Catey has been awarded to some of the industry's most talented chefs since the first title in 1984: Andrew Pern at the Star Inn in Yorkshire, Gary Rhodes at the Castle hotel in Taunton,...

Sponsored by Christie & Co Newcomer of the Year.(Simon Rogan awarded)
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Simon Rogan It came as no surprise to the industry that the 2005 Newcomer of the Year was Simon Rogan, chef-proprietor of L'Enclume in the idyllic Lakeland village of Cartmel. But for Rogan himself, who runs the property...

Pub and Bar Industry Award.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Tim Bacon Last year's winner, Tim Bacon, the man behind the successful Living Ventures bar business, once dreamed of finding fame in his native Australia as an actor. Luckily for us he put that particular dream on hold and...

Sponsored by Booker Cash & Carry Pub and Bar Operator of the Year.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner The three fishes Last year's winners, Craig Bancroft and Nigel Haworth, took their Catey triumph for the Three Fishes pub at Mitton, Lancashire, as recognition of the excellence they themselves had striven to instil in the...

Sponsored by Apetito Public Sector Caterer of the Year.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Ron McKenzie It has been a particularly tough year for public sector caterers. While Jamie Oliver and the Government's extra money generated a welcome momentum for change, with that momentum came a good deal of scrutiny....

Sponsored by Brakes Restaurateur of the Year - Independent.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Alan Yau It's never easy walking away with one of the most prestigious hospitality awards of the year, but someone's got to do it. Fancy your chances? There's a tough line-up to beat, but if you win, your name will go up...

Sponsored by Bunzl Outsourcing Services Restaurateur of the Year - Group.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Mark Derry It came as no surprise when Mark Derry, head of one of the UK's fastest-growing restaurant companies, walked away with the prestigious Group Restaurateur of the Year Catey last year. In doing so, he joined the...

Sponsored by American Expresss Establishment Services Special Award.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner PhilLip Kaye The announcement that the Special Award had been won by Phillip Kaye brought the house down at last year's Cateys dinner. If one person has shaped the casual dining experience in this country more than any...

Tourism Award.
January 5, 2006... 2005 winner Bob Downie Tourism and the hospitality industry are so closely related that they're a bit like Siamese twins - a fact recognised by Caterer when it launched the inaugural Tourism Award Catey in 1987, just three years after...

The game of the name.
January 12, 2006... Changing the branding of a restaurant is not a panacea for all commercial ills, nor should it be a spur-of-the-moment decision. If it's to achieve its goals, those goals must be carefully worked out and equally carefully worked for. James...

Tips on branding and rebranding.
January 12, 2006... Simon Myers, managing director, Figtree consultancy, London 1. Invest money in thinking time before you start building. The ability to articulate your idea will save you lots of time and money later on. It helps in finding out whether your idea...

Steven Doherty's tips for running an in-store restaurant.
January 12, 2006... * Make sure you understand the client's requirements. * Understand the customers' needs in relation to the retail operation. * Have an outstanding relationship with the client. * Be flexible to both the client's and customers'...

The wines.
January 12, 2006... Caterer rating 3 stars Knockout 2 stars Must-have 1 star Good glugger Two stars * 2003 Oak-aged Chardonnay Arnaud de Villeneuve, Vin de Pays d'Oc, [pounds sterling]5.99 (Affordable Wines, 01905 424789) "Lovely aromatic nose, lots of ripe peachy...

good week/bad week.(Brief Article)
January 12, 2006... Pangaea Nightclub owner plans [pounds sterling]20m London flotation. Cornish pasties Enjoying a 21st-century revival. Glasgow Now one of the most chic, up-and-coming holiday destinations in the world, according to a new survey by Frommer's....

Features.
January 12, 2006... The Skillery Timetable CAPTION(S): "I always use British produce whenever I possibly can. The quality is fabulous. The only drawback is that it can sometimes be a bit expensive" Cyrus Todiwala Below, from left: Peter Gordon,...

What can I earn?(Directory)
January 12, 2006... *********London************Rest of UK Business and industry****Low****Normal****High****Low****Normal****High Unit manager - up to 500 on site****[pounds sterling]18,000****[pounds sterling]24,000****[pounds sterling]27,000****[pounds...

Who can I work for?
January 12, 2006... www.accor.com www.aliashotels.com www.apexhotels.com www.arorainternational.com www.baglioni.com www.bealeshotels.com www.bourneleisuregroup.co.uk www.brend-hotels.com www.britanniahotels.com ...

Fast facts.(Directory)
January 12, 2006... * Eight out of 10 adults count themselves as pub-goers, and more than 15 million people drink in a pub at least once a week. * More than 900,000 people rely on beer and pubs for their employment. * More than 80% of pubs are small...

What can I earn?
January 12, 2006... In spite of the large chains' continued expansion, there remains a hint of nervousness that the market may be witnessing the first signs of a consumer slowdown. This, coupled with the ongoing difficulty of attracting young talent into...

Features.(Cruise)(Ski)
January 12, 2006... Who can I work for? Cruise www.carnival .com www.celebritycruises.com www.costa.it www.cunard.com www.disneycruise.com www.hebridean.co.uk www.hollandamerica.com www.icma.no (Crystal Cruises) www.orientlines.com www.pocruises.co.uk...

Events.(2006 Roux Scholarship)(Calendar)
January 19, 2006... Because of demand, the deadline for entries for the 2006 Roux Scholarship has been extended to 27 January - so there's still time to have a tilt at following in the footsteps of current scholar Matthew Tomkinson (pictured with Michel Roux) and...

Critical reviews.(hospitality sector employees)
January 19, 2006... Approached in the right spirit, employee assessments needn't be viewed with dread by managers and employees alike. Well-managed appraisals can help improve staff relations, productivity and efficiency. Nic Paton finds out how Staff...

Three stars in their eyes.
January 19, 2006... For aspirational chefs, a visit to any three-star establishment should be a lesson in success. But what kind of secret touch do you need to keep three Michelin stars for nearly 40 years? Dan Bignold reports from Alsace, where Conran Restaurants...

As good as it gets.(pub and bistro recipe)
January 19, 2006... There are some dishes that you cannot afford to take off the menu, no matter what your client's business profile is. Benjamin Walker asked Lexington's chef-director, Rob Kirby, what his "dirty dozen" were. See what you think If...

Pinching inches.
January 19, 2006... For countless restaurants, cafes and pubs, there's an increasing need to squeeze complete food production systems into awkwardly shaped prime property. Bruce Whitehall looks at the latest ideas for getting more from kitchens where space is...

the week in brief.(Links Country Park hotel)(Spirit Group)(Brief article)
January 19, 2006... Links Country Park hotel sold The owner of a Spar chain shop in the Leicestershire village of Woodhouse Eaves has bought the Links Country Park hotel in West Runton, Norfolk, for [pounds sterling]3m. The 49-bedroom hotel, one of...

King joins Marbella Club in [pounds sterling]70m expansion venture.(Spanish Marbella Club appointment)(Brief article)
January 19, 2006... Ex-Thistle boss Beverly King has joined Spanish Marbella Club owner Bursha Holdings as managing director, Caterer can exclusively reveal. King joins Bob Lewis, a former director at hotel analysts PKF, and the Marbella Club's owner David...

Going for gold.
January 19, 2006... Students don't have to be part of a winning team to benefit from taking part in Nestle's Toque d'Or competition - just being seen can land you a job at a top restaurant. But, as Diane Lane reports, the benefits of winning can be outstanding ...

Keep an eye on the weather.(adverse trend)
January 19, 2006... Hotel industry consultant Melvin Gold points out that good conditions can sometimes disguise an adverse trend Last year will be seen as a good year for the British hotel industry. Although conditions were not easy, UK hoteliers will...

Bonds.(Threadneedle hotel)
January 19, 2006... Former Michelin star holder Barry Tonks has brought a lighter style of cooking to the City since becoming executive chef at the Threadneedle hotel's Bonds restaurant. Dan Bignold reports People assume that dining in the City of London is...

Chef eats out.(Locanda Locatelli)
January 19, 2006... locanda locatelli, 27 February 2006 Some restaurants achieve iconic status over a number of years; others seem to shoot to the top from the word go. Shooting-star status can certainly be bestowed on London's Locanda Locatelli, opened by...

Giving it the full treatment.
January 19, 2006... The spa side of the Club Hotel & Spa had to start from scratch not only in terms of staff training but also its customer base. Dan Bignold went to get the works When Laurence Huggler planned the Club Hotel & Spa, one of his aims was to...

Set your sights now for when the smoke clears.(smoking bans)
January 19, 2006... Scotland is the first UK country to enforce a total smoking ban, soon to be followed by Northern Ireland and Wales. So what should operators be doing to prepare - and should England follow? Rosalind Mullen reports The proposals for a...

Glad to be grey.
January 19, 2006... The over-50s hold 40% of the nation's disposable income, and with shrewd marketing and special attention to service standards, hotels can capture a lucrative share of this discerning and traditionally brand-loyal sector. Kirstie Redford...

The age of reason.
January 19, 2006... Older workers can play just as valuable a role as youngsters, so why are so many businesses reluctant to employ them? As Nic Paton reports, with new age discrimination laws on the way, many firms may have to rethink their recruitment policies...

3663 initiative aims to boost local food sourcing.
January 19, 2006... Food-service wholesaler 3663 has launched a scheme to help caterers source food from local producers. The initiative will allow chefs to buy regional goods through one of 10 UK regional hubs, which will be used to collect local products. ...

Property values to build on strong rise.
January 19, 2006... Last year's double-digit percentage increase in hotel property prices is likely to be repeated this year By Emily Manson Double-digit percentage increases in property values are expected in 2006 following a strong performance last...

Fresh Italy says no fat, no VAT.
January 19, 2006... A London fast-food operator is calling on the Government to penalise unhealthy food by taxing it more. Tom Allchurch, founder of fresh fast-food chain Fresh Italy, is launching a "No Fat, No Vat" campaign which will link VAT to the...

Edinburgh's THC buys first Glasgow hotel.
January 19, 2006... Luxury Edinburgh hotel group the Town House Company (THC) has bought its first property in Glasgow, for an undisclosed sum. The former Royal Scottish Automobile Club building in Blythswood Square will be converted into a luxury 109-bedroom...

Caprice staff to run new Wentworth restaurant.
January 19, 2006... The owner of celebrity restaurant group Caprice Holdings is opening a new eaterie at exclusive Surrey golf club Wentworth. Staff from London restaurants the Ivy and Le Caprice will run the club's new 120-seat restaurant and bar when it...

Peter Dickson.(Obituary)(Obituary)(Brief article)
January 19, 2006... Former Catey winner Peter Dickson was killed when he was struck by a speedboat while on holiday at the end of last year. The 1997 Pub Industry Award winner, Dickson was latterly chairman of Yates Group until his resignation in 2001. He led...