Coronavirus: the positive hospitality industry moves

- Safety and technology consultancy Food Alert has created a comprehensive Covid-19 advice line, resources centre, and hygiene and safety eLearning package free to anyone working in hospitality. With every hospitality business affected by the enforced Coronavirus shutdown, Food Alert is focused on doing what it can to support those in the sector, so they are in the best possible position to re-open when the Government lifts restrictions. The new online portal offers free guidance and check-lists on a range of subjects including take-away and delivery services; tasks to carry out during closure; and return-to-work questionnaires. A full re-opening support solution is also coming soon. To access Food Alert’s free advice line call 0844 445 7412; to enquire about eLearning, email: ryrneavat@sbbqnyreg.pbz​; and for the Covid-19 portal, click here​​.

- The owners of the Hide and Fox restaurant in Saltwood, Kent, have started a gift voucher campaign to help their business survive, and at the same time support the NHS. For each voucher sold from now until the end of May, the team will donate 15% of the takings to the NHS Charities Together Campaign; on their visit, customers will receive a glass of bubbly as a ‘thank you’ for standing by the restaurant and supporting key workers. To purchase a voucher, visit the Hide and Fox gift voucher page on its website​​.

- London hotel Rosewood London has partnered with luxury wedding company Bridelux and leading wedding suppliers to offer a complimentary once-in-a-lifetime wedding for one 'deserving couple' working as key workers, NHS staff or carers during the current Coronavirus crisis. Nearly 30 suppliers, from florists to cake makers, stationery to styling, have donated their time and expertise to create the 'wedding of a lifetime' for the chosen couple, worth over £100,000. The wedding for the bride, groom and up to 150 guests will be held in the grand Ballroom at Rosewood London, which has catered for numerous VIP weddings, events and parties. The couple will stay in one of the hotel’s top suites for their wedding night, with breakfast served in the morning. Nominees can submit an entry for themselves or friends via the HELLO! magazine website​​, or by emailing: pbzcrgvgvbaf@uryybzntnmvar.pbz​. The winners will be announced mid-May.

- Salcombe Gin says it has created the world’s first 'crowdsourced gin' via Instagram Live. The limited-edition gin was named ‘Nightingale’ by the public and sold-out in less than 24- hours, raising over £2,500 for the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. Gin lovers joined Master Distiller Jason Nickels live before the Easter weekend commenced to co-create ‘Nightingale’. During the live event, Nickels explained the distillation process and shared insights on how to create a balanced and harmonious gin before asking viewers to choose their favourite botanicals and final recipe for the new gin before choosing the name for the spirit. The world’s first crowdsourced gin via Instagram Live is 45% ABV and has a backbone of Macedonian juniper, English coriander seed and orris root combined with eight further botanicals selected by the Instagram Live audience.