Chef

Former The Ivy executive chef Alan Bird to open restaurant

14-Jan-2013 By Emma Eversham

Alan Bird, the former executive chef at The Ivy, is to open his own restaurant at Smithfield in London this year.

Tim Hughes: Pearls of Wisdom

11-Jan-2013 By Stefan Chomka

The chef-director at Caprice Holdings oversees the food at some of London's most prestigious restaurants, including Le Caprice, The Ivy and Scott's. He has just written his first cookbook, J Sheekey Fish. 

Restaurant's 2013 predictions - vegetables, inflation and unusual doughnuts

10-Jan-2013 By Restaurant magazine

Restaurant magazine predicts what the next 12 months has in store for the industry, including the likely food trends, the year's major openings and the key opportunities and challenges facing operators.

Pressure mounts as Bocuse d'Or 2013 final moves closer

08-Jan-2013 By Emma Eversham

Pressure is mounting on the UK's Bocuse d'Or candidate Adam Bennett to lead the country to success as the date approaches for the final of the international competition. 

World Pastry Cup: UK team targets top seven finish in January final

07-Jan-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The UK team of pastry chefs set to compete in the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie in Lyon at the end of the month have exclusively revealed to BigHospitality that they believe they can produce a top seven finish in the final.

Annual Awards of Excellence 2013 open for entries

04-Jan-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The Academy of Culinary Arts is now accepting entries for the 2013 Annual Awards of Excellence, which recognise and encourage the most talented and up-and-coming young chefs, pastry chefs and waiters.

Gordon Ramsay's Las Vegas pub and burger bar to open this week

17-Dec-2012 By Emma Eversham

Gordon Ramsay will open two new projects in Las Vegas this week - a pub and grill at Caesars Palace and a burger bar at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. 

Westminster Kingsway College launches world-class facilities for Culinary Arts students

12-Dec-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Westminster Kingsway College in central London has unveiled a range of state-of-the-art facilities at its Victoria Centre, including a new teaching kitchen, innovation laboratory and patisserie.

British restaurant Salon opens in Brixton Market

12-Dec-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Former Brunswick House head chef Nicholas Balfe has opened Salon – a contemporary British restaurant situated upstairs from the Cannon & Cannon deli in Brixton Market.

Hospitality Guild honours hospitality professionals, apprentices and employers at inaugural awards

06-Dec-2012 By Emma Eversham

Twenty-five young professionals from across the industry have been inducted into the Hospitality Guild's Young Hall of Fame with a select number of apprentices and employers also awarded at the umbrella organisation's inaugural awards event.

Craft Guild of Chefs opens nominations for 20th anniversary awards

06-Dec-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Craft Guild of Chefs has announced its 2012 awards will feature an emerald theme celebrating the 20th anniversary of the presentation of the accolades - nominations are now open in 15 categories.

Hakkasan to launch Chinese tasting menu restaurant HKK in December

30-Nov-2012 By Peter Ruddick

HKK, a banquet-inspired, tasting menu restaurant concept from Chinese fine dining experts Hakkasan Group, is set to open on Broadgate West on 5 December.

Nina Basset reveals success of 10 in 8 does not rely solely on Michelin stars

26-Nov-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Nina Basset, managing director of the 10 in 8 business founded by Michelin-star chef Alan Murchison, has revealed details of the two forthcoming restaurant projects for the group which she says is not solely focused on gaining Michelin stars.

Bocuse d'Or 2013: Fundraising auction raises more than £4k for Team UK

26-Nov-2012 By Peter Ruddick

As Team UK enters the final stage of preparations for the 2013 world final of the Bocuse d'Or, a fundraising auction held at University College Birmingham last week raised more than £4k to support Adam Bennett.

The Cumberland hotel launches new W1 restaurant following Gary Rhodes' departure

22-Nov-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The Cumberland hotel’s W1 restaurant, previously overseen by Gary Rhodes, has re-launched under Michelin-starred head chef Paul Welburn with new menus and a new interior layout.

Bruno Loubet and Paul Foster join Ashley Palmer-Watts to raise more than £25k for Farm Africa

21-Nov-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Ashley Palmer-Watts has announced he is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Farm Africa and has challenged other chefs to join him as Bruno Loubet and Paul Foster joined the Dinner by Heston Blumenthal head chef last week to help raise more than £25k for the...

Ex-BBC broadcasting house The Wood Norton officially re-opens as hotel

20-Nov-2012 By Emma Eversham

The Wood Norton, a former BBC broadcasting house in Worcestershire, has officially opened as a boutique hotel following a £4m refurbishment. 

Roux Scholarship 2013 open for entries

20-Nov-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The 30th annual Roux Scholarship competition has opened for entries, giving young UK-based chefs the opportunity to win a career-changing stage at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant anywhere in the world.

A day at The Ledbury: In the kitchen of the UK's best restaurant

19-Nov-2012 By Joe Lutrario

What is it like working in a two Michelin star, multi award-winning restaurant? In recognition of its unprecedented National Restaurant Awards hat-trick, Restaurant magazine spends a day in Brett Graham's cramped basement kitchen and attempts to...

Gluten-free Chef of the Year: Winners revealed

16-Nov-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Chef Phil Vickery has announced the winners of the CoeliacUK Gluten-free Chef of the Year competition which aims to raise awareness and highlight the need for increased provision of gluten-free menu options for people suffering with Coeliac disease. 

Seafood Pub Company acquires third pub in two years

14-Nov-2012 By Emma Eversham

Seafood Pub Company, the dining-led pub group set up by Jocelyn Neve and chef Antony Shirley last year, has acquired its third pub as it looks to expand its operation across the North West. 

Skye Gyngell: Pearls of Wisdom

09-Nov-2012 By Stefan Chomka

The Australian-born former head chef of Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, London, is now culinary director of Heckfield Place, a country-house hotel, which opens in Hampshire in March 2013. She is also set to open a new London restaurant next year.

TooTooMoo restaurant founder aims to create leading Asian food brand

06-Nov-2012 By Emma Eversham

The founder of new pan Asian food and restaurant brand TooTooMoo has outlined his company's ambitions to be the leading Asian food brand in the UK in the next three years. 

Jason Atherton to open second London restaurant in partnership with Paul Hood

30-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Jason Atherton is to open a second restaurant in London after signing the lease on a site in Soho’s Poland Street.

Series details revealed for Masterchef: The Professionals 2012

26-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Masterchef: The Professionals 2012, which will see the return of judges Monica Galetti, Michel Roux Jr and Gregg Wallace, will kick off on November 5, it has been announced.

Exclusive: UK restaurants serving world cuisines facing danger of 'slow death'

23-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The future UK growth of leading world cuisine restaurant brands such as Zuma, Roka and Busaba Eathai could be in real danger of stalling if the Government decides to remove skilled chefs from the migration shortage occupation list.

The Gold Service Scholarship launched to promote front-of-house hospitality

19-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

An array of service professionals have launched The Gold Service Scholarship - a new UK scholarship for front-of-house professionals in a bid to inspire a new generation of young people to make a career out of front-of-house hospitality.

Ross Shonhan: Career Profile

19-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Australian-born Ross Shonhan, former head chef at Zuma and Nobu, is set to open Japanese ramen concept Bone Daddies in Soho next month. The chef reveals his career achievements and challenges and explains his love affair with Japanese cuisine.

Carluccio's opens in-house training academy above Islington restaurant

17-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio's has invested £250k in a new, in-house chef training academy above its Upper Street restaurant in Islington.

Dabbous, Hawksmoor & Cinnamon Soho among winners of 2012 London Restaurant Festival Awards

16-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The London Restaurant Festival (LRF) drew to a close last night (15 Oct) with an awards evening held at Vinopolis celebrating the various qualities that attract people to venues around the capital. 

Gladwin brothers launch The Shed restaurant & bar

15-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Three brothers - a farmer, chef and restaurateur – have brought their skills together to open The Shed, a new restaurant and bar in Notting Hill with an emphasis on seasonal British produce.

BigHospitality at The Restaurant Show: Nurturing the talent of the future

12-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The hospitality industry needs to unite and speak with one voice when it comes to finding, nurturing and retaining the sector’s future leaders, according to a selection of industry experts partaking in BigHospitality’s panel discussion at The Restaurant...

The Restaurant Show Top 10: Chicken, bricks and Michelin stars - what we learnt at the trade show

12-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick, Emma Eversham & Luke Nicholls

The annual three-day restaurant extravaganza has finished for another year and, with tonnes of chef interviews, restaurateur panels, product launches and competitions, it's easy to feel you missed something, so BigHospitality produced this must-read...

David Everitt-Matthias: Pearls of Wisdom

12-Oct-2012 By William Drew

The notoriously dedicated chef – a long-time proponent of foraging and ingredient experimentation – is celebrating 25 years at his two-star Cheltenham restaurant Le Champignon Sauvage, which he runs with wife Helen.

Philip Howard: Chef's Chef of the Year Award a vindication of The Square's 'pure, proper' cooking

11-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Philip Howard, head chef and co-owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant The Square, has described being named as the Chef's Chef of the Year as a 'humbling' experience and a pleasing realisation that people haven't forgotten his restaurant...

Sat Bains talks of what could be next, revealing secrets to his restaurant’s success

10-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Sat Bains has hinted that his next business venture could come in the form of a brasserie-style restaurant, but the two-Michelin-starred chef is still content with his eponymous site in Nottingham, claiming that the London dining scene isn’t always what...

Koffmann's chef Ben Murphy crowned Young National Chef of the Year 2012

10-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Ben Murphy, chef de partie at Pierre Koffmann's London restaurant has been named Young National Chef of the Year 2012 following a tense final at The Restaurant Show.

Michael Caines appointed non-exec director at Bath Priory, steps down from exec chef role

09-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Michael Caines is to stand down as executive chef at the newly Michelin-starred Bath Priory after being appointed a non-executive director at Andrew Brownsword's country house hotel group Bath Priory Limited.

The Restaurant Show 2012 opens with Sat Bains, Paul Foster and Claire Clark centre stage today

08-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

This year's Restaurant Show has opened at Earl's Court 2 in London, kicking off three days of events designed to help restaurateurs and chefs build a better business.

James Durrant: Career Profile

05-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Chef James Durrant recently saw his life ambition come true when he bought, renovated and opened his own restaurant – The Plough Inn in Hampshire. A protégée of Gordon Ramsay, Durrent worked within GRH for nine years, starting at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay...

Hidden Heroes: Lives of the chefs behind the restaurant industry's famous faces

03-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Behind every restaurant industry big name, high-profile restaurateur or Michelin-starred chef is a hard-working chef heading up a kitchen with someone else's name above the door - this month BigHospitality celebrated those hidden heroes with a video...

Rumble in the Kitchen raises £55k for Galvin's Chance

24-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Rumble in the Kitchen, the boxing event set up by Galvin at Windows general manager Fred Sirieix, has raised more than £55k for charitable programme Galvin's Chance. 

Chef Africa: Ashley Palmer-Watts's African Diary

24-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick and Ashley Palmer-Watts

While Ashley Palmer-Watts travels to Kenya to represent the hospitality industry on a Farm Africa challenge you can follow his progress here as he updates this blog with thoughts, reactions, photos and video.

Simon Flint: Career Profile

21-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Simon Flint celebrated his six year anniversary as executive chef at the National Theatre in June, but with 28 years of experience in the industry, from Center Parcs to The Groucho Club and Caprice Holdings, he has approached the varied role with an experienced...

Apero restaurant opens in new boutique hotel in South Kensington

19-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Apero, a modern Mediterranean restaurant inspired by the Italian tradition of the aperitivo drinks, has opened this week within the recently re-launched Ampersand Hotel in Harrington Road, South Kensington.

Annual Awards of Excellence 2012 winners revealed

17-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The leading lights of the hospitality industry came together this month to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Academy of Culinary Arts’ Annual Awards of Excellence, with winners revealed in the kitchen, pastry and service categories.

Business Profile: Hakkasan

10-Sep-2012 By Stefan Chomka

With forthcoming international openings Hakkasan is poised to become one of the biggest high-end restaurant groups in the world. Yet it’s London where the real excitement is going to be, as chief executive Niall Howard explains. 

Rumble in the Kitchen: Chefs and restaurateurs to enter the boxing ring for charity

05-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Chefs and restaurant managers, including Marcus Wareing, Will Holland, Fred Sirieix and Michele Caggianese are among those who will be entering the boxing ring later this month in a bid to raise money for industry charitable programme Galvin's Chance.

Immigration laws cause Masala World to scrap UK expansion plans

05-Sep-2012 By Joe Lutrario

Masala World, one of the world's most respected Indian restaurant groups, has scrapped its UK expansion plans and shifted its focus to overseas because current immigration legislation prevents it from employing skilled Indian chefs.

Ruth Hinks becomes first woman to win UK Chocolate Masters

05-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Ruth Hinks, owner of Edinburgh chocolate shop and patisserie school Cocoa Blacks, has been named UK Chocolate Master 2012 following a gruelling three-day final in London.