All news articles for December 2014

As the year draws to a close, BigHospitality reviews some of the biggest stories of 2014

BigHospitality's 2014 review: our top 10 stories

By Carina Perkins

As the year pulls to a close, BigHospitality looks back at some of the biggest stories of the year – from Noma stealing back the title of World’s Best Restaurant to floods, beer duty and Tom Kerridge's long-awaited second pub.

The number of diners ordering vegetarian or nut-free dishes has fallen in 2014

Dining trends 2014: more intolerances, fewer vegetarians

By Lauren Houghton

The number of diners reporting lactose or gluten intolerance has risen in 2014, while the number of diners ordering vegetarian or nut-free dishes has fallen, according to data collected by food pre-ordering service TellTheChef.

Hospitality brands are flagging behind supermarkets when it comes to loyalty schemes

Hospitality lags behind on loyalty

By Carina Perkins

Hospitality brands are falling behind retailers when it comes to loyalty schemes, according to a new survey.

Electra Partners has agreed the acquisituion of the Karen Forrester-led chain, TGI Friday's

Electra acquires TGI Friday's UK

By Mark Wingett

Electra Partners has agreed the acquisition of the UK franchise of TGI Friday’s, the Karen Forrester-led chain, from Sentinel Capital Partners and TriArtisan Capital Partners, in a deal valued at c£230m.

Almost half of men are frustrated by slow service when dining out at Christmas

Christmas dining trends: quick service top priority for men

By Lauren Houghton

Quick service is very important for men when dining out during the Christmas period, while women focus more on the whole experience, according to research by CGA Peach and hospitality technology provider Zonal Retail Data Solutions.

BHA calls for political change in 2015

By Carina Perkins

The chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), Ufi Ibrahim, has called on the hospitality industry to continue to push for policy change next year.

Eating out spend rose 4 per cent year-on-year in November, compared to a 8 per cent decline in overall leisure spend

Eating out spend continues to rise

By Carina Perkins

Eating out continued to outperform the overall leisure market last month, with families in particular spending more on meals at pubs and restaurants.

People on the Move in Hospitality: December 2014

People on the Move in Hospitality: December 2014

By Carina Perkins

We've rounded up some of the latest movers and shakers in the hospitality industry, with the past month seeing key appointments by DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool, Café Rouge, YO! Sushi and The Gleneagles Hotel

The BHA will host the Big Hospitality Conversation at the forum

The BHA joins with PACE for 2015 forum

By Lauren Houghton

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has joined forces with the Professional Association for Catering Education (PACE) for this year’s PACE Learning & Development Forum. 

The Holiday Inn Express Dundee was among the new signings

Interstate to open six new UK hotels

By Lauren Houghton

US-based hotel management company Interstate Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of six new hotels in the UK.

The Royal High School will be transformed into a 'world-class' hotel

Plans to turn historic Edinburgh school into top hotel

By Lauren Houghton

Proposals to transform the old Royal High School building on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill into a ‘world-class’ hotel have been announced by project developers Duddingston House Properties (DHP).

All containers in the range are 100mm deep and are freezer safe.

Product News

Mitchell & Cooper launches Pac’n’Vac

By Lauren Houghton

Catering equipment specialists Mitchell & Cooper has launched the Pac’n’Vac container range for safe food storage. 

People 1st wants a campaign to highlight long term career opportunities in hospitality and tourism

People 1st calls for hospitality jobs campaign

By Carina Perkins

People 1st has called for a ‘hard hitting’ cross-industry campaign to promote the breadth of career opportunities the hospitality and tourism industry can offer.

Allen will assume the role of executive head chef at The Orangery

Chef Richard Allen joins Rockliffe Hall

By Lauren Houghton

Michelin-starred chef Richard Allen will take over the running of The Orangery restaurant at Rockliffe Hall hotel in Country Durham in January.  

Ken Hom was invited to become an ambassador for the campaign

Ken Hom becomes GREAT Britain ambassador

By Melodie Michel

Celebrity chef Ken Hom has become an ambassador for the GREAT Britain campaign, promoting the country around the world for increased business and tourism.

Hospitality Openings: Nov/Dec 2014

Hospitality Openings: Nov/Dec 2014

By Carina Perkins

Our latest roundup of the hottest openings in hospitality include Martin William’s first solo venture M, new Danish concept Snaps & Rye and Tom Kerridge’s new gastropub The Coach, as well as the Tulse Hill hotel.

Staff at The Punch Tavern on Fleet Street wore George Osborne masks for the launch of the campaign today

2% alcohol duty cut could give budget £1.5bn boost

By Melodie Michel

A 2 per cent alcohol duty cut could boost public finances by £1.5bn in 2015, according to an Ernst & Young report launched alongside the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (WSTA) ‘Drop the Duty’ campaign.

Carousel team (photo by Ruaridh Emslie)

Carousel announces 2015 guest chef series

By Lauren Houghton

Marylebone restaurant Carousel has announced the chefs participating in its guest chef series ‘Carousel presents...’ for the first quarter of 2015.

Hotel-overbooking.com helps overbooked hotels relocate their guests

New website aims to solve hotel overbooking issue

By Melodie Michel

Hotel-overbooking.com acts as a bidding platform between hotels with too many guests and hotels with empty rooms, aiming to save operators time when relocating customers.

Ken Hom masterclass: Whole Stuffed Chicken Skin

Ken Hom masterclass: Whole Stuffed Chicken Skin

By Carina Perkins

During a special masterclass at the School of Wok to celebrate the launch of its professional school, The Oriental Culinary Institute, chef and TV presenter Ken Hom demonstrated his legendary Whole Stuffed Chicken Skin for the first time in the UK. Bighospitality...

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