All news articles for March 2014

Alain Ducasse, whose career spans 30 years, will open RIVEA at the Blugari Hotel in London in May

Alain Ducasse brings Rivea to London

By Luke Nicholls

Legendary French chef Alain Ducasse is set to launch Rivea – an informal Mediterranean restaurant situated within the five-star Bulgari Hotel in West London - in May.

The De Vere Venues portfolio includes the 48-bedroom Chicheley Hall conference centre and hotel

Starwood Capital buys De Vere Venues

By Luke Nicholls

International private investment firm Starwood Capital Group has acquired hotel operator and meeting and events space provider De Vere Venues for £232m.

The Development Chef Summit, sponsored by Farm Frites, will be held on 19 March at Westminster Kingsway College

Development Chef Awards 2014 shortlist announced

By Luke Nicholls

The shortlist for the inaugural Development Chef Awards 2014, which recognises and rewards the best menus, dishes and multi-site chefs across the restaurant and pub sector, has been announced.

Box-checking: The Pensions Regulator is urging employers to start preparing for automatic enrolment now

Pension auto-enrolment: Hospitality checklist

By Luke Nicholls

With major changes gathering pace in the world of workplace pensions, BigHospitality has spoken to a number of industry experts to give you everything you need to know to ensure a smooth transition into the automatic enrolment scheme.

James Petrie to join The Ledbury

James Petrie to join The Ledbury

By Carina Perkins

Former Fat Duck chef James ‘Jocky’ Petrie has been appointed head of development at The Ledbury in Notting Hill.

Young National Chef of the Year competition

Young National Chef of the Year 2014

By Carina Perkins

The Craft Guild of Chefs is once again hunting for the UK’s brightest upcoming culinary star in the Young National Chef of the Year competition. 

Hotels, restaurants and pubs - and Boris Johnson - have supported National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week 2014: Hospitality leads the way

By Luke Nicholls

As the seventh annual National Apprenticeship Week draws to a close, BigHospitality has heard from an array of hotels, restaurants and pubs - and even Boris Johnson – all pledging their support for the initiative.

A third of pub owners (32 per cent) said they would focus on improving their food offer in the next year

Customers want additional food occasions at pubs

By Mark Wingett

More than half (54%) of pub customers would visit a pub more often if it provided additional food occasions, and 20% would stay longer, new research from him! suggests.

Interstate continues to pursue UK expansion

Interstate continues to pursue UK expansion

By Carina Perkins

US hotel management company Interstate Hotels & Resorts has secured management contracts for two ibis budget hotels, boosting its UK hotel portfolio to 49.

Dindin Kitchen will provide fresh food, quickly and at affordable prices, to a wide audience

Dindin hits Holborn

By Luke Nicholls

Dindin Kitchen, a new fast-casual Persian restaurant concept, is set to make its debut next month with a 30-cover restaurant opening in Holborn.

The original Foodilic restaurant opened in Brighton's North Street in 2009

Foodilic eyes 30 London restaurants in five years

By Luke Nicholls

Restaurateur Peter Ilic is looking to take the London grab-and-go market by storm, with plans to open at least 30 outlets for his healthy fast food brand Foodilic over the next five years.

Arnaud Bignon is the executive chef of The Greenhouse restaurant in Mayfair

Arnaud Bignon: Pearls of Wisdom

By Stefan Chomka

The executive chef at Marlon Abela’s two-Michelin starred restaurant The Greenhouse, in Mayfair, which has just been awarded four AA rosettes, discusses his preference for French food in an English setting.

Young British Foodie Awards 2014

Young British Foodie Awards 2014

The search is back on for the UK’s most innovative food and drink enthusiasts, with the Young British Foodie Awards 2014 now open for entries.

Koji adds sparkle to soft drink market

Koji adds sparkle to soft drink market

By Carina Perkins

Future Drinks Company has launched a new natural sparkling soft drink brand to meet the growing demand for healthier adult refreshments.

Gordon Street Coffee will offer seating over two floors and an outdoor area

Glendola pulls into Glasgow Central

By Luke Nicholls

Privately-owned bar, club and restaurant company Glendola is investing £1m into two new food and drink establishments at Glasgow’s Central Station.

Business Profile: The Stable

Business Profile: The Stable

By Joe Lutrario

A Dorset-born British pizza and cider brand has its sights on the capital – and to fill the gap left by Union Jacks’ departure. Founder Nikki Cooper spills the tomato sauce.

IHG wants Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza to become the leading hotel brands for meeting and events in the UK

IHG puts MICE in the spotlight

By Luke Nicholls

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is stepping up its presence in the MICE market with the announcement of a multi-million-pound redesign of ‘The Academy’ at Holiday Inn properties in Kensigton, Bloomsbury and Regent’s Park.

The 55-cover Shoryu Kingly Court restaurant will open next to Whyte & Brown next month

Shoryu snaps up third site

By Luke Nicholls

The Japan Centre Group is continuing its expansion of restaurants in London with a third site for its Shoryu Ramen concept opening in the West End next month.

London set to lead European serviced apartment expansion

London set to lead European serviced apartment expansion

By Carina Perkins

Europe’s serviced apartment supply is set to increase 50 per cent by 2016, with operators stepping up competition with hotels by targeting the short stay market and London expected to lead the charge.

The 55-cover Picata London restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Singha beer brewer opens Asian restaurant in London

By Luke Nicholls

Boon Rawd Brewery, the Thailand-based company that produces Singha beer, has brought its Asian street food concept Pacata back to London with a new restaurant opening in Covent Garden.

Jason Atherton unveils plans for Tower 42 restaurant

Jason Atherton unveils plans for Tower 42 restaurant

By Carina Perkins

Chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton has unveiled plans for his first City restaurant, which will open on the site of Gary Rhode’s former eatery on the 24th floor of Tower 42 in May.

Hospitality thrives in London's West End

Hospitality thrives in London's West End

By Carina Perkins

Hospitality businesses in London’s West End enjoyed strong trading last year, but competition for prime retail space could hamper future expansion, according to a new report.

Marco Pierre White plans to open 50 new restaurants across the UK over the next five years

Marco Pierre White to open 50 new restaurants

By Luke Nicholls

Marco Pierre White has signed a major deal with a hotel development company which will see the ‘godfather of modern cooking’ roll out 50 branded restaurants across the UK and Northern Ireland over the next five years.

Apprenticeship programmes vastly oversubscribed, finds report

Apprenticeship programmes vastly oversubscribed, finds report

By Carina Perkins

As National Apprenticeship Week kicks off, a new study has revealed that demand for apprenticeships is outstripping supply in England, and boosting the number of apprentices would provide a £4bn a year boost to the economy.