The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 23/01 - 27/01
Spanish invasion
Quique Dacosta is reportedly the latest Spanish chef with three Michelin stars set to open a restaurant in London. According to BigHospitality’s sister title MCA insight, Dacosta hopes to launch a premium paella concept with the backing of the team behind the Iberica chain in the next year. It comes after Madrid chef David Munoz opened his first UK restaurant Street XO in 2016.
Assado moves on
Cyrus Todiwala has closed his Portuguese-inspired restaurant Assado at its site at the Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo hotel.The chef, who opened the restaurant in 2014, previously told BigHospitality that it was a challenge to encourage non-guests to eat at the site. Assado is planning to reopen in Canary Wharf in September.
Challenges to sexist dress codes
A Government committee has warned hotels they could face penalties over dress codes requiring women to wear high heels and makeup for certain roles. While regulations are permitted for professional or safety reasons, staff must not be required to dress a certain way due to their gender. A debate on the issue is expected in Parliament in March.
Bao branches out
The team behind London street food sensation Bao are to open a new high-end Taiwanese restaurant, Xu, in Soho this spring. The 68-cover site will feature a specialist tea bar, with an estimated price point of £55 per person before drinks.
Chinese-backed expansion
Kew Green Hotels has confirmed plans to expand in the UK in 2017 just over a year after its sale to China's HK CTS Metropark Hotels. The 50-strong group, which manages sites including The Grand Hotel in Brighton, will begin by launching a Chinese restaurant at the Crowne Plaza John Lennon Airport Hotel in Liverpool.
For a full rundown of this week's news click here.
