Caterer & Hotelkeeper articles from March 2007

Caterer & Hotelkeeper archives from March 2007

Colleges hit out at LSC as decision on VRQs is delayed.(News)(Learning and Skills Council)(Vocationally Related Qualifications)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... By Chris Druce Catering colleges have attacked the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for failing to commit to funding City & Guilds' new professional cookery diplomas nationally. The Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs) were...

Food service has major role to play in social issues, says BHA head.(News)
March 1, 2007... Sector can take lead in nutrition, CSR and the environment By Chris Druce Food service operators have a central role to play in tackling the issues of the day: obesity, corporate responsibility and the environment, according to the...

Fairtrade forum.(Features)
March 1, 2007... With Fairtrade Fortnight now in full swing, Caterer, supported by CafA[c]direct, brought together a group of leading caterers to discuss the use of such goods in the hospitality industry. Janet Harmer listens in to the conversation and unravels...

Book Review.(Side Orders)(Romantic Cakes: Cookies and Cakes to Celebrate Love)(Book review)
March 1, 2007... Lovers' guide to baking Romantic Cakes: Cookies and Cakes to Celebrate Love Peggy Porschen Quadrille Publishing, [pounds sterling]18.99 ISBN 978-1-84400-321-1 The first reaction to this book, even before you flick through...

Good week/bad week.(Side Orders)
March 1, 2007... Female chefs Anne-Sophie Pic becomes only the fourth woman to receive three Michelin stars for her eponymous restaurant in Valence, France. Ketchup addicts Cooked tomatoes, as found in the favourite British condiment, may reduce the risk...

Review of Reviews.(Features)
March 1, 2007... The Daily Telegraph 24 February Jasper Gerard strays from Heston Blumenthan's acclaimed tasting menu to try the A la carte at the Fat Duck in Braye_SClBOn this trip we eschew the tasting menu with its exotic experimentation and go A...

Events.(Features)
March 1, 2007... It's the South of England's turn to have a trade event on 6-7 March with the 51st annual Hotel & Catering Show in Bournemouth. The event, at the Bournemouth International Centre, will feature more than 200 exhibitors. The exhibition also hosts...

Aikens double is a first for Chef Conference.(News)
March 1, 2007... When culinary twins Tom and Robert Aikens take to the stage at Caterer's annual Chef Conference on 14 May it will be the first time the brothers have appeared together at a major UK culinary event. They will be demonstrating their individual...

Harry Littlewood, senior executive, Langham Hotels International.(Infozone)
March 1, 2007... Harry Littlewood and Stefan Heintze have joined Langham Hotels International as senior executives for the development team. Littlewood has enjoyed a career in operations management, while Heintze has formerly held senior management roles in...

Paul Rogers, general manager, Crowne Plaza Reading.(Infozone)
March 1, 2007... Crowne Plaza Reading has recruited Paul Rogers as general manager following a [pounds sterling]6.5m refurbishment. He joins from Thistle Hotels, where he was area general manager of the Bristol and Cardiff hotels.

Jan Hazelton, vice-president of development, relationships and funding for Europe, Hilton Hotels Corporation.(Infozone)
March 1, 2007... Hilton Hotels Corporation has appointed Jan Hazelton vice-president of development, relationships and funding for Europe. Hazelton previously worked at Calyon as senior relationship manager for the US lodging group.

Lin O'Brien, head of catering, Hertfordshire Catering.(Infozone)
March 1, 2007... Lin O'Brien has taken over the helm of Hertfordshire Catering, the county's school meals provider. She has previous experience in the school meals service as a cook manager, area manager and business development manager. She replaces Ruth...

Andrew Jones, general manager, Hackness Grange Country House Hotel.(Infozone)
March 1, 2007... Andrew Jones is the new general manager at Hackness Grange Country House Hotel near Scarborough. He has experience in management at hotels in Yorkshire, including the Crescent hotel in Scarborough, York Pavilion hotel in York and Wentbridge...

James Sharp, general manager, Sidholme hotel.(Infozone)
March 1, 2007... James Sharp, former hotel manager of Lindors Country House Hotel, St Briavels, Gloucestershire, is the new general manager of Christian Guild's Sidholme hotel, Sidmouth, Devon. James has more than 10 years' experience in the hotel industry with...

Liam Cooper, head chef, Lanes Restaurant & Bar.(Infozone)
March 1, 2007... Liam Cooper has been appointed head chef at Lanes Restaurant & Bar in London. He has been sous chef at Lanes and senior pastry chef at Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road and PA[c]trus

Geoff Harvey, general manager, Holborn Bars.(Infozone)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Geoff Harvey has become the new general manager of De Vere Venues-owned Holborn Bars, London. Harvey spent the first 12 years of his career with Hilton Hotels before working for Buckinghamshire Golf Club, the Exclusive Hotels Group and, most...

Smoking areas make sense.(Side Orders)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... I'm delighted that common sense has broken out in the European Parliament at last with the news that the buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg are to have designated smoking areas I'm delighted that common sense has broken out in the...

Hotels as 'stars' on TV and in films.(Side Orders)
March 1, 2007... How much was the Ritz's presence in the movie Notting Hill worth to the hotel? Or the Crown at Amersham's four-poster bedroom scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral? How much was the Ritz's presence in the movie Notting Hill worth to the...

To the Scottish Executive.(Side Orders)
March 1, 2007... Dear Minister, Dear Minister, I am writing to you on behalf of my own association and others who have expressed support for the content of this letter to express our concern at any proposal to allow the early introduction of test...

Think again on Cuban ban.(Side Orders)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... Having worked in South Africa when blacks couldn't use hotels, I'm concerned at Hilton banning Cubans from its European hotels Having worked in South Africa when blacks couldn't use hotels, I'm concerned at Hilton banning Cubans from its...

Mistaken identity shows up attitude to service.(Side Orders)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... letter of the week letter of the week Grant Hearn's article (Caterer, 1 February, page 22) and Luigi Spotorno's reply (15 February, page 23) brought to mind a story told to me by my sister-in-law, a highly academic lady with a string...

Jesmond Dene appoints two senior chefs.(News)(appointment of Andrew Richardson and Michael Waugh)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Jesmond Dene House, the Newcastle hotel and restaurant, has revealed details of two senior chef appointments. Andrew Richardson will become the new executive chef, taking over from Jose Graziosi, who had been at the hotel since its opening...

A minute on the clock Mike Sunley.(News)
March 1, 2007... When Lexington Catering catered for the opening of Cancer Research's Cambridge Research Institute in the presence of the Queen last month, the meal had to be cooked in a field. Managing director Mike Sunley talks to Amanda Afiya Caterer...

Caterer loves.(Side Orders)
March 1, 2007... Edible beauty treatments Last week marked the beginning of this year's Lent, a period of 40 days of fasting from foods and festivities, and other acts of penance. But while we're cutting back on indulgent food and drink in our diet, who...

News.
March 1, 2007... Contents Advertising that works for your business 32 7 Training Colleges protest as LSC delays decision on VRQ funding 8 Food service This sector can take a lead in nutrition, corporate social responsibility and the...

Bednights in Belfast How operators such as Bill Wolsey put Northern Ireland's Troubles behind them.(Features)
March 1, 2007... How to master the art of networking Obesity harassment - could it lead to a constructive dismissal claim? infozone: can you stop your guests putting videos of their stay on the net? Advertising Does it really work for every...

Taillevent downgraded by Michelin.(News)
March 1, 2007... Famous Parisian restaurant Taillevent, which has held three Michelin stars for 34 years, lost one in the 2007 edition of Michelin's France guide. The restaurant, which gained its first star in 1949, was one of two acclaimed establishments...

Hotel news update.(Side Orders)
March 1, 2007... Hotel group Millennium & Copthorne (M&C) saw pre-tax profit rise by a massive 36% last year, its strongest performance since going public in 1996. The company, which operates 108 hotels around the globe, hit a pre-tax profit of [pounds...

Union anger at Hull school meal cuts.(News)
March 1, 2007... GMB joins parents and teachers protesting at council plans By Daniel Thomas The GMB union has added its weight to demands for Kingston upon Hull City Council to reverse plans to scrap free school meals. The Liberal Democrat-led...

Peace brings prosperity to Belfast.(News)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The impact that acts of terrorism have on tourism is immense. The effects of the London bombings, the Sharm el-Sheikh attacks or the Luxor shootings testify to the fact that any city or town under threat will, inevitably, see visitors driven...

How to network effectively.(0000 Templates)
March 1, 2007... It's not what you know, but who you know that matters, they say. And it's true: making and keeping useful contacts is particularly important in hospitality. Ben Walker reports In a recent episode of the Channel 4 comedy Ugly Betty, the...

Conran Restaurants starts a new life as D&D London.(News)
March 1, 2007... Management says new name "adds vigour and dynamism" but marketing experts say brand recognition will be lost By Daniel Thomas Conran Restaurants is to change its name to D&D London following the recent buyout from Conran Holdings,...

Convex Leisure celebrates Ark Royal's return.(News)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Making waves . Contract caterer Convex Leisure will cater for more than 2,000 guests in an aircraft hangar on board the Ark Royal in Portsmouth on 22 March. The event celebrates the return of the historical aircraft carrier to the Royal...

Cotswold House and Noel Arms for sale.(News)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The Cotswold House hotel and its sister property the Noel Arms in Chipping Campden are up for sale for an estimated [pounds sterling]14.85m. The 29-bedroom, double Catey-winning Cotswold House hotel has been put on the market for [pounds...

Liverpool reaches for the sky.(News)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Bar with a view Developer Beetham Organisation has been given the go-ahead to create what is believed to be the UK's highest bar and restaurant in Liverpool. The venue, which is due to open in December, will be 101.5m above street level on the...

Table Talk.(News)(restaurant industry)
March 1, 2007... hope there's no distracting football being played Ex-Manchester United star Roy Keane is almost as famous for accusing the club's corporate fans of being "more interested in eating prawn sandwiches than watching the team" as he is for...

Ma Potter founder sees a future in Coal.(News)
March 1, 2007... Ma Potter's founder John Gater plans to extend the fledgling Coal brand into a chain after selling his 16-strong restaurant group to CafA[c] Rouge owner Tragus last week for [pounds sterling]14.15m. Caterer understands Gater is in the...

Infozone.(Harbour & Jones )(Company overview)
March 1, 2007... Many catering companies include a cost for training staff within their tender proposals, which Patrick Harbour finds objectionable. "How can you know how much the training is going to cost before you've even met the staff and assessed their...

Infozone.(Nicki Pope of Select Hospitality speaks about Harbour & Jones )(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Nicki Pope, executive manager of recruitment consultancy Select Hospitality, approves of Harbour & Jones's methods... "I find it very refreshing that some catering companies genuinely look for new ways to not only train and develop staff,...

Hull's school meals scheme earns reprieve.(News)
March 8, 2007... Supporters of Kingston upon Hull's pioneering healthy free school meals service have welcomed its 11th-hour reprieve, but have attacked the continuing uncertainty around the scheme's long-term status. The move to scrap Hull's free school...

Wetherspoon's Hutson welcomes smoking ban.(News)
March 8, 2007... The chief executive of pub operator JD Wetherspoon has reiterated his belief that smoking bans in Wales and England will be a success for the trade. Wetherspoon has 40 pubs in Wales, which on 2 April will be next in the UK to introduce a...

Cocktail of the Month.(Side Orders)(Recipe)
March 8, 2007... Old-Fashioned Whisky Cocktail ingredients 1 white sugar cube 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters 6 ice cubes 50ml whisky Garnish: twist of orange zest Variation recipe 2 dashes orange bitters 2.5ml cinnamon...

what's new at Ife07.(Features)
March 8, 2007... New food and drink ideas abound Silver Hill's duck breast with maple and mustard glaze will be available for tasting Silver Hill All hand-prepared at the company's Co Monaghan farm, new premium duckling products from Silver Hill...

Which hotels are best for disabled guests?(Features)
March 8, 2007... letter of the week On a few occasions while I was working as a hotel assistant manager, potential guests asked about transportation to our hotel, explaining that due to disability they were not able to drive - for example, did we provide...

Conservation in the kitchen.(Features)(Letter to the editor)
March 8, 2007... I'm afraid I can't sit by any longer and listen to the drivel being delivered on these pages about conservation of fish stocks, etc I'm afraid I can't sit by any longer and listen to the drivel being delivered on these pages about...

Encouraging good service.(methods to manage budget hotels)(Brief article)(Column)
March 8, 2007... I currently own and manage a budget hotel in Tunbridge Wells, Smart and Simple Hotels, where we pride ourselves on having a great product offering and good service at good-value prices I currently own and manage a budget hotel in Tunbridge...

Boutique? Isn't that a shop?(Features)
March 8, 2007... Can someone help by explaining to me what is meant by a "boutique hotel" Can someone help by explaining to me what is meant by a "boutique hotel"? This description appears to be increasingly used for every new or refurbished hotel,...

Thanks for your support.(Features)(Letter to the editor)
March 8, 2007... I am trekking in the Himalayas later this month to raise money for Breast Cancer Care I am trekking in the Himalayas later this month to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. I know so many women who have been diagnosed with this disease and...

News.(Letter to the editor)
March 8, 2007... Boutique? Isn't that a shop? Can someone help by explaining to me what is meant by a "boutique hotel"? This description appears to be increasingly used for every new or refurbished hotel, but on looking at these individual developments...

Review of Reviews.(Leith's Plumed Horse)(Hat and Feathers)(Goldstone Hall)(Hart'se_SClB)(Spire )(Restaurant review)
March 8, 2007... The Independent 3 March Tracey MacLeod thinks the food at converted boozer the Hat and Feathers is a cut above its pubby name and front-of-house service in Clerkenwell, Londone_SClBThe experience gap between front of house and kitchen...

Seeing double.(Interview)
March 8, 2007... Twin brothers Tom and Robert Aikens are set to do their first live culinary demo together when they take the stage to give a masterclass at the Chef Conference in May. Joanna Wood chatted to them about cooking, sibling sparring and...

JAMES STREET SOUTH.(Restaurant review)
March 8, 2007... Opening a restaurant in Belfast was a gamble for Niall McKenna, but now James Street South is one of the most celebrated restaurants in Northern Ireland. Tom Vaughan checks it out When Niall McKenna returned to his home town of Belfast to...

Events.(Features)
March 8, 2007... Designed to raise awareness of Britain's [pounds sterling]74b visitor economy, the first annual British Tourism Week will take place from 12 to 18 March. With the Prince of Wales confirmed as patron, the week will consist of a series of events...

Industry pays tribute to true giant' Lord Forte.(Lord Charles Forte)(Obituary)
March 8, 2007... Emily Manson looks back on the life of the hotel and catering legend One of the 20th century's most iconic hoteliers, Lord Charles Forte, died peacefully in his sleep last Wednesday (28 February) aged 98. Tributes have been pouring in...

The Westbridge, London.(Side Orders)
March 8, 2007... This new gastropub in Battersea, south London, serves pub classics such as fish and chips alongside European dishes including bouillabaisse and pumpkin risotto. The menu features seasonal ingredients with a focus on locally sourced produce. ...

MocotA[superscript three], London.(Side Orders)
March 8, 2007... This new restaurant on the old Isola site serves Brazilian classics with many ingredients imported from Brazil. Designed by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, it's spread over two levels and includes an informal "boteco" bar/brasserie on the...

The Cross Keys Inn, Pangbourne.(Side Orders)
March 8, 2007... Housed in a 16th-century building in the village of Pangbourne, this countryside pub is on the banks of the River Pang. It recently underwent a major refurbishment but retains its historical charm and serves dishes including light bites, pub...

News.
March 8, 2007... David Webster, general manager, the Belfry, De Vere Hotels "For independents, marketing consortia are a great opportunity to compete with the big chains, because they offer the best marketing available. De Vere is great for the kind of...

News.(Interview)
March 8, 2007... A minute on the clock Stephen Dowd Chief executive of tourism trade body UKInbound Stephen Dowd has been instrumental in establishing the first-ever British Tourism Week. He talks to Emily Manson Caterer What inspired you? SD A...

Champagne Bar Devon, Salcombe.(Side Orders)
March 8, 2007... Devon's first Champagne bar is part of Soar Mill Cove hotel, a family-owned property on the county's southernmost coastal headland, 20 miles east of Plymouth. Food includes a light grazing menu for sharing, while the drinks list offers...

Caterer loves.(Side Orders)
March 8, 2007... British tourism There's something very British about strolling along a deckchair-strewn seafront, eating fish and chips to the strains of "That's the way to do it!" from a nearby Punch and Judy show. Most British tourist destinations...

Table Talk.
March 8, 2007... beware of imitations - this man is not the real thing First of all, a warning to all our readers. It has been brought to our attention that a dastardly chap calling himself Chris Burch has been going around claiming to be a Caterer...

How to: avoid burnout.(0000 Templates)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Being constantly overworked and under pressure is likely to lead to a state of emotional exhaustion, or burnout, with deadly effects on your career. However, there are precautions you can take to prevent burnout. What are the danger signs?...

News.(Infozone)
March 8, 2007... * HGR to recruit for Marriott Hotel group Marriott has signed up Hospitality Graduate Recruitment (HGR) to handle its 2007 graduate recruitment scheme for the UK and Ireland and the Middle East and Africa. Marriott will take on up to 110...

Going places.(Infozone)
March 8, 2007... Nico Descotes has become the new general manager at Von Essen's Fowey Hall hotel in Cornwall. Descotes previously worked for the international ski resort Les Deux Alpes in France, where he was resort hotel manager. The Oberoi Bali hotel...

Helping hands.(Infozone)(Preston Park Tavern)
March 8, 2007... Things have been going so well for Andrew and Helen Coggings that they can afford the luxury of taking on and training more staff to help them run the Preston Park Tavern in Brighton. Emma Allen paid them another visit When husband and...

Private-equity group Delek Real Estate buys RoadChef.(News)
March 8, 2007... RoadChef... "A stronger, higher-quality and better-invested business" RoadChef, the UK's third-largest motorway services operator, has been sold by its Japanese private-equity owner in a deal valuing the group at [pounds sterling]425m....

News.(Abbaye de la BussiA re hotel)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Englishman celebrates French star The English owner of the Abbaye de la BussiA[umlaut]re hotel in Burgundy has spoken of his delight at gaining a Michelin star in the face of organised protests from locals. Clive Cummings, who along...

Contents.(News)
March 8, 2007... Doubling up... the Aikens twins at the Chef Conference 32 7 Bed Tax The Edinburgh Tourism Action Group proposes a voluntary scheme for the Scottish capital 8 Restaurants Abergavenny's Walnut Tree is forced to close 10...

Two's company William Baxter and Alastair Storey on the making of a marvellous merger.(Infozone)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Tom and Robert Aikens get set for the Chef Conference IFE preview - what's on at this month's show infozone: what the law says about fake reviews on the internet Hotel Cateys Could you be a winner in our new awards for the...

Good week/bad week.(Side Orders)(British Raj Indian restaurant)(briefs)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Chocolate addicts New study claims a regular cup of cocoa can help boost brain power and fight heart disease and cancer. British Raj Indian restaurant in Rogerstone, near Newport, gets [pounds sterling]2,000 take-away order from New York...

Independents find strength in numbersOver to you.(News)
March 8, 2007... Independent hotel operators can work together to compete with the big brands, says Peter Hancock, chief executive, Pride of Britain Hotels Opinion It's impossible to overstate the significance of brands when assessing consumer...

Eastern Europeans fill UK hospitality jobs.(News)
March 8, 2007... By Kerstin Kuhn More than 100,000 people from Eastern Europe have registered to work in the UK hospitality industry since the eight former communist countries joined the EU in May 2004. According to Home Office figures released last...

Wilson takes the top job at Sleepwell Hotels.(News)
March 8, 2007... Midmarket hotel group Sleepwell Hotels has appointed Mark Wilson as managing director amid plans of rapid expansion for the company. Wilson, who has been promoted from his previous role of regional manager for the North-west of England,...

Share deal sends Ultimate on Acquisition trail.(News)(Ultimate Leisure acquired with Reuben Brothers and awnay Day Group)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Shareholders in Ultimate Leisure have approved a new share scheme that will help provide the bar and club operator with up to [pounds sterling]75m to spend on acquisitions. The 14,792,900 new shares in Ultimate will be priced at 169p each,...

Raising your profile.(Features)
March 8, 2007... Does advertising work for all hospitality businesses - and which medium works best for the different styles of operation? Humayun Hussain finds out The writer HG Wells once said that "advertising is legalised lying". Whether advertising is...

Foodfile ingredients in season.(Features)
March 8, 2007... English curly kale is still in excellent supply but a lot of produce will be heading in from the Continent until spring. Mediterranean climes are the biggest source of supply at this time of year, with nice globe artichokes and Gariguette...

News.(contracts)
March 8, 2007... Crown Group wins a [pounds sterling]50m deal for 75 leisure centres By Angela Frewin Contract caterer Crown Group has set up a new division to target the sports and leisure market after winning a [pounds sterling]50m deal to run the...

News.(cases)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Former GM at Threadneedles stole [pounds sterling]20,000 from the hotel A former general manager at Threadneedles in the City of London has been found guilty of stealing from the hotel. Joe dos Santos, who was general manager of the...

Mandarin oriental in Prague wins prize in Berlin.(News)
March 8, 2007... The Mandarin Oriental in Prague (right), formerly a 14th-century monastery, was named New Development of the Year at the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin on Tuesday. The Portfolio Deal of the Year went to Hilton Hotels...

Edinburgh to raise [pounds sterling]5m a year from voluntary bed tax?(News)
March 8, 2007... Scottish tourism body proposes alternative to statutory tax By Daniel Thomas The hospitality industry's fight against a statutory bed tax took a new twist this week, when a leading tourism body proposed a voluntary scheme in Scotland....

The week in brief.(News)
March 8, 2007... Tapenade's Paris Air Show deal Events caterer Tapenade has extended its aerospace portfolio by winning the contract to provide catering for GKN Aerospace at this year's Paris Air Show in June. The new contract will be operated alongside...

Walnut Tree Inn in hands of receivers.(News)
March 8, 2007... Former Michelin-starred restaurant is forced to close By Kerstin Kuhn The closure of the Walnut Tree Inn in Wales, one of the UK's most famous restaurants, has been met with disappointment by industry figures. The former...

News.
March 8, 2007... Hopkinson jobs saved as Duchy buys assets Boutique contract caterer Duchy Catering has purchased the business and assets of Hopkinson Catering, safeguarding 700 jobs. The deal, first revealed on Caterer blog Kitchen Rat last week,...