All news articles for December 2016

MasterChef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean on winning 2016

MasterChef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean on winning 2016

By Hannah Thompson

The MasterChef: The Professionals 2016 winner, Gary Maclean, was crowned victorious last night. We spoke to the Glasgow-based chef-lecturer (and husband, and father-of-six) the morning after to talk winning, culinary colleges, and learning what the TV...

People On The Move In Hospitality: December 2016

People On The Move In Hospitality: December 2016

By Hannah Thompson

In the last gallery of 2016, we look at some of the stellar individuals making moves, including at Leon, Grace Hotels, the Boparan Restaurant Group and D&D London. 

From frogs to oysters: The top 5 hospitality videos of 2016

From frogs to oysters: The top 5 hospitality videos of 2016

By Hannah Thompson

From chefs’ best career advice to the re-invention of oysters, we had the honour of filming some truly great professionals this year. With so many innovative concepts and brilliant insights flying about, we struggled to choose our highlights, but here...

UK on brink of 'new wave' casual dining boom

UK on brink of 'new wave' casual dining boom

By Sophie Witts

The number of restaurants in the UK has risen rapidly in the past five years, but pubs and bars are continuing to close, according to a report by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and CGA Peach.

The biggest issues in hospitality in 2016

The biggest issues in hospitality in 2016

By Sophie Witts

The hospitality and tourism industry faced numerous challenges in 2016, from the ongoing tussle with Airbnb to the rise of plant-based dining.

Sector leaders pen letter to PM highlighting key issues

Sector leaders pen letter to PM highlighting key issues

By Mark Wingett

More than 20 chief executives and business leaders from the UK’s leading eating and drinking­ out chains have penned a letter to the Prime Minister Theresa May asking her to “consider a reduction in VAT, extending transitional relief on business rates...

Drake & Morgan plans 2017 expansion

Drake & Morgan plans 2017 expansion

By Sophie Witts

London-based bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan has announced plans to open a further three sites in 2017 following a rise in sales.

The top 5 stories in hospitality – 12/12-16/12

The top 5 stories in hospitality – 12/12-16/12

By Hannah Thompson

From service charge controversy at Le Gavroche, and Gary Usher's crowdfunding, to a £403m deal for Punch pubs, we round up the industry's biggest stories this week

Michel Roux Jr scraps tipping at Le Gavroche

Michel Roux Jr scraps tipping at Le Gavroche

By Hannah Thompson

Michel Roux Jr, owner with his family of the two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche restaurant in London’s Mayfair, is to scrap tipping in favour of including a service charge on all bills.

Unite to hold fair tips protest outside Fortnum & Mason

Unite to hold fair tips protest outside Fortnum & Mason

By Emma Eversham

Fair tips campaigners from Unite will gather outside Fortnum & Mason later today (Thursday) in protest at what they say is a 'Scrooge-like' raid on staff wages and service charge payments at the luxury store's restaurants. 

L-R James and Sam Hart and Crispin Somerville. Photo: John Carey

Corn Stars: The Hart Group on new taco restaurant El Pastor

By Joe Lutrario

Somewhere making its way across the Atlantic is a shipping container packed with three metric tonnes of corn. According to the calculator on Sam Hart’s iPhone, that should be enough to make 225,000 10cm tortillas, which should keep his soon-to-open Borough taqueria...

The Government is being asked to look at the challenges faced Tourism businesses in rural areas such as the Peak District. Photo: Thinkstock/ibusca

MPs asked to tackle rural tourism challenges post-Brexit

By Emma Eversham

MPs are being asked to consider the challenges facing hotels and other tourism businesses situated in the countryside as the organisation representing them contemplates how rural tourism will be supported post-Brexit.