All news articles for September 2014

Seafish has announced the top 20 fish and chip shops in the UK

UK’s top 20 fish and chip shops announced

By Lauren Houghton

Seafish has announced the top 20 fish and chip shops in the UK, all still in the running for the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year title in its 2015 National Fish & Chip Awards.

Business Profile: Loch Fyne

By Carina Perkins

Liz Williams, director and general manager of the UK’s biggest seafood restaurant group Loch Fyne, talks discounting, the competition and chasing the grey pound.

Travelodge invested £25m in a TV advertising campaign last May

Travelodge returns to profit and creates 206 jobs

By Melodie Michel

Budget hotel chain Travelodge made a £5.6m operating profit in 2013 – its first positive result since its financial restructuring in 2012 – and is creating 206 jobs in the run-up to Christmas.

Andrew Tolley of Harris + Hoole demonstrates how to make the perfect latte

60-Second Skill: The perfect latte

By Melodie Michel

With the growth of coffee culture in the UK in recent years, having a decent coffee offering has become indispensable. Here Andrew Tolley, co-founder of Harris + Hoole and head judge at the UK Barista Championships, demonstrates how make the perfect latte.

Carl Brown, ‘daru-wallah’ at Dishoom, won the alcohol category at the YBFs 2014

Young British Foodie 2014 winners announced

By Carina Perkins

Climpson’s Arch head chef Tomos Parry and Dishoom bar manager Carl Brown were among the winners at this year’s Young British Foodie (YBF) awards, announced at the Tate Britain on Wednesday evening.

52 per cent of those surveyed will eat fish and chips straight from the paper

Traditional fish and chips still a hit for Brits

By Lauren Houghton

As The National Fish & Chip Awards draw closer, organiser Seafish has conducted research into fish and chip eating trends throughout the UK, with traditional takeaways and salt and vinegar as a topping popular with customers.

Will Thompson founded all-day Italian concept Vivo with his brother Ben.

Viewpoint

Will Thompson on Vivo and the rise of all-day dining

By Carina Perkins

Will Thompson opened Italian café and bar Vivo on Islington's Upper Street with his brother Ben. He talks to BigHospitality about Italian food culture, the rise of all-day dining in London, and how restaurants can benefit from a more casual approach.

UK hotels have reached a milestone by outperforming pre-recession revPAR levels

Hotel revPAR reaches pre-recession levels

By Melodie Michel

Hotels in eight out of 12 UK cities included in the Hotel Bulletin for Q2 2014 achieved revenues per available room (revPAR) above pre-recession levels.

Gleneagles Hotel where the Ryder Cup will happen

Ryder Cup sees Scottish hotel prices soar

By Lauren Houghton

Average hotel prices in Perth and Sterling have more than doubled for the Ryder Cup, while other hotels in Scotland have also see a price rise, according to hotel comparison site trivago.co.uk. 

The Development Chef Club Food Forum will showcase a range of chef talent

Development Chef Club Food Forum: line-up revealed

By Lauren Houghton

The line-up of chef speakers and demonstrators has been announced for Restaurant Magazine’s new event the Development Chef Club Food Forum which is taking place at Westminster Kingsway College on 1 October.

Drawing of the exterior of The Beaumont, Mayfair

Details released for The Beaumont, Mayfair

By Lauren Houghton

Restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin will be opening their first hotel, The Beaumont, Mayfair, this autumn, complete with three eateries and a suite inside a sculpture.

Tesco's food-to-go site is anchored by deli-diner concept Fred’s Food Construction

Tesco launches food-to-go format

By Mark Wingett

Tesco has launched its new Express food-to-go store format as it looks to compete with the likes of Pret A Manger and EAT across the lucrative lunchtime market.

Tom Kerridge was named GQ Chef of the Year 2014

Tom Kerridge named GQ Chef of the Year

By Carina Perkins

The Hand & Flowers patron Tom Kerridge was named GQ Chef of the Year at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2014 in London yesterday.

Hotel Football will boast its own rooftop football pitch which can be hired for events

Opening date announced for Hotel Football

By Lauren Houghton

It has been announced that Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville’s Hotel Football will open on 8 December this year, with bookings being taken now for that date onwards.

The pub has undergone a complete refurbishment and redesign by PNW

Brasserie Bar Co set to open fourth pub

By Lauren Houghton

The Brasserie Bar Co is to open its fourth pub under The White Brasserie Company branding this September; The British Queen in Orpington. 

At 8%, hotel prices grew twice as fast in the UK as in the rest of the world in H1 2014

UK hotel prices rise twice as fast as global average

By Melodie Michel

UK hotel room prices went up 8 per cent between H1 2013 and the same period in 2014 – twice as steep a rise as the global average, according to Hotels.com’s latest Hotel Price Index (HPI).

KFC announces major menu overhaul

KFC announces major menu overhaul

By Carina Perkins

Chicken chain KFC has jumped on the American BBQ bandwagon by introducing a range of slow cooked chicken products to its menu.