Fine Dining

Akrame Benallal considers London for meat and potatoes bistro

28-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

French chef Akrame Benallal is considering opening an Atelier Vivanda - his meat and potatoes concept bistro - in London. 

Whitbread chief exec to depart ahead of Costa and Premier Inn expansion

28-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

The chief executive of Whitbread has announced his plans to leave the company, as the operator set out its five year expansion plans for Premier Inn and Costa today (28 April).

What you need to know about craft cider

28-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Like beer, cider is getting crafty. BigHospitality looks at what craft cider is all about and the opportunities it presents for pubs, restaurants and hotels. 

Belmond first global group to get rated by Sustainable Restaurant Association

27-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Luxury hotel and travel operator Belmond has become the first global company of its size to be rated by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). 

Trends

Diners see Caribbean as most under-represented cuisine in UK restaurants

27-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Caribbean food has topped a list of the types of cuisine British diners want to see more of on menus with Greek following closely behind. 

Bar and nightclub operators join together to launch Night Time Industries Association

27-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Operators from within the bar, nightclub and restaurant sectors have come together to form a new trade association which aims to be 'The Voice of the Night Time Industries'.

Renaissance Pubs changes name to Three Cheers Pub Company

27-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

London-based pub company Renaissance has changed its name to the Three Cheers Pub Company following a trademark dispute. 

Hospitality employers fail to meet the career expectations of staff

24-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality employers are failing to meet the career expectations of staff and create a desirable workplace environment, according to research from recruitment specialists Korn Ferry.

‘Staycation’ trend gives hospitality businesses a boost

24-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

UK hospitality businesses are predicted to see a boost in profits this summer due to an increasing number of Britons opting for ‘staycations’, according to new research from VoucherCodes.co.uk.

Election 2015: Where do the parties stand on cutting tourism VAT?

24-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Labour and the Conservatives have been accused of neglecting the travel industry following a review of the party manifestos by the Cut Tourism VAT campaign.

VIEWPOINT

Paul Bayliss of Macdonald Hotels on how luxury hotels can survive the budget boom

24-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Paul Bayliss, the general manager of the Macdonald Manchester Hotel & Spa and Macdonald Manchester Townhouse and Chair of the Manchester Hotelier’s Association (MHA), talks about how the luxury hotel market can survive faced with such strong growth...

Bounce announces second London site and international expansion

23-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Ping pong entertainment concept Bounce is opening a second site in London and its first in the US following the success of its flagship site in Holborn. 

UK hotels slam Booking.com over price fixing

23-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

The UK B&B Association has branded Booking.com a ‘bully’ following a settlement with the Italian, French and Swedish authorities this week (21 April) which prevents hotels from offering a cheaper rate than the online travel agent through their own...

Holographic receptionist among innovations at COSMO's new £2m flagship Nottingham site

23-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Multi-cuisine buffet chain COSMO has launched its new £2m flagship site in Nottingham this week (21 April).

Branded Content

Diners want more gluten-free options on menus

23-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Operators are at risk of alienating diners by failing to offer an adequate range of gluten-free menu options, according to research commissioned by Aviko in the run up to Coeliac Awareness Week (11-17 May).

Valrhona starts search for UK's pastry stars

22-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

French chocolatier Valrhona has started its search for talented pastry chefs and chocolatiers to compete in the next UK Pastry Open. 

BrewDog plans first hotel as part of £25m crowdfunding campaign

22-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Craft brewer BrewDog has announced plans to build a craft beer themed hotel as well as expand its UK bar estate and extend its brewery capacity by raising £25m through its Equity for Punks crowdfunding campaign.  

The Good Life Eatery opening second London site

22-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Chelsea based The Good Life Eatery is bringing its ‘clean food with attitude’ to a second site opening in Marylebone in early May.

IHG offers Chinese guests bespoke welcome with launch of Zhou Dao programme

22-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched its 'Zhou Dao' programme across its global estate to ensure its hotels are ready to welcome a growing number of Chinese travellers. 

Restaurants and hotels losing billions by neglecting the over 65’s

22-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

The UK hospitality sector has lost at least £16bn in potential revenue over the last year by ignoring the over 65 age group, according to a report from Barclays Corporate Banking released today.

Westminster Kingsway College wins Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or 2015

22-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

A team of students from Westminster Kingsway College has won the Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or 2015 competition. 

Roomzzz to open aparthotel at Manchester Corn Exchange

21-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Aparthotel group Roomzzz is opening a site at Manchester's Corn Exchange as part of a £30m redevelopment programme by Aviva Investors and Queensberry Real Estate. 

People on the Move in Hospitality: April 2015

21-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

It's been another busy month for hospitality with Frankie & Benny's founder joining Bulldog Hotel Group, a host of young talent taking up positions at Lainston House and Shibden Mill Inn, as well as a new head chef at Bibendum.

Put front-of-house in the spotlight says Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons MD

21-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Philip Newman Hall, the managing director of restaurant and hotel Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, is calling on the industry to do more to raise the profile of service roles and encourage more young people to consider a career working front-of-house.

Dining trends: Gourmet burger boom set to continue

20-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

With US giant Smashburger set to hit the UK this year, the decade-long gourmet burger boom is showing little sign of slowing down. 

How to successfully grow your own produce

20-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

The kitchen garden is nothing new, but over the last few years more pub, restaurant and hotel owners have started growing their own produce to enable their business to run more sustainably and give them an interesting point of difference. 

Eight hoteliers become Master Innholders

20-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Bespoke chairman Robin Sheppard and Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester general manager Stephen Miles are among the eight hoteliers who have been awarded Master Innholder status this year. 

Aubaine to open restaurant at Hilton London Hyde Park

20-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

French restaurant Aubaine is to open its 10th site at the Hilton London Hyde Park this summer. 

Election manifestos recognise the hospitality and tourism industry

20-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has welcomed election manifestos from several key political parties as acknowledging the contribution of tourism and hospitality to the UK economy for the ‘first time ever’.

150-room hotel in development below Edinburgh Castle

20-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Developers have announced plans for a 125 to 150-room hotel situated directly below Edinburgh Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rick Stein invests in Padstow and considers expansion outside South West

20-Apr-2015 By Ruth Williams

Chef and restaurateur Rick Stein is working on three projects in Padstow, Cornwall, where he currently operates four sites while also planning to grow his restaurant estate across the UK.

ASK THE EXPERTS

What you should know about Shared Parental Leave

20-Apr-2015 By Tom Solesbury

Tom Solesbury, a solicitor at Hamlins LLP, gives advice to hospitality employers about the new rules on Shared Parental Leave which came into force earlier this month. 

Claude Bosi to exchange Hibiscus as part of international chef swap

17-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Claude Bosi, chef patron at Hibiscus, will be exchanging his London restaurant for a new international destination as part of a chef swap. 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts launches 10th hotel brand

17-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has launched the Tribute Portfolio, the company’s 10th brand and its second collection of independent hotels. 

Shortlist for 2015 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards announced

17-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

The shortlist has been unveiled for the 2015 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards. 

SMALL TALK

Mark Sargeant on The Strand Dining Rooms and why you won't see his name above any restaurant door

17-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Mark Sargeant, co-owner of Folkestone restaurants Rocksalt and The Smokehouse and the newly-opened Duke William pub, talks about his new role as chef director of The Strand Dining Rooms and why you won't see his name above the door of any of his...

Hospitality industry shamed over gender pay gap

16-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Women working in the hospitality and catering sector were on average paid 18 per cent less than their male co-workers in 2014, according to research from reed.co.uk

Triptease launches widget to help hoteliers boost direct bookings

16-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Travel start-up Triptease says the launch of its new Price Check widget is helping hotels battle the power of OTAs because it can boost the number of direct bookings they receive. 

Hospitality employers and staff encouraged to enter VQ Day vocational awards

16-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality businesses are being encouraged to enter The VQ Employer of the Year Award 2015, which recognises the promotion of the value of vocational qualifications in the workplace.

Melba at The Savoy opens as gourmet takeaway counter on The Strand

16-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Melba at The Savoy has opened as the ninth foodservice outlet at London’s The Savoy hotel.

Strong Easter sales help bolster flat March across pub and restaurant groups

16-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Like-for-like sales rose 5.1 per cent over the Easter weekend at pub and restaurant groups, helping to overcome a flat March according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker figures. 

Longshot Country Inns to open seventh Bel & The Dragon

16-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Longshot Country Inns will open its seventh site under its Bel & The Dragon brand, in Kingsclere, Hampshire, next month. 

BUSINESS PREVIEW

Entente Cordiale: Le Chabanais opening in Mayfair

15-Apr-2015 By Stefan Chomka

The team behind Paris neo-bistrot Le Chateaubriand opens Le Chabanais in Mayfair this month, bringing new-wave French food to the capital.

Eleven foodservice sites open at Broadgate Circle

15-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Eleven new foodservice outlets including Yauatcha and Jose' Pizarro Tapas Bar & Restaurant have opened today (15 April) as part of the £20m Broadgate Circle development in The City.

BUSINESS PREVIEW

Mark Sargeant: Duke William pub to be 'accessible to all'

15-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Mark Sargeant is planning for his first pub - The Duke William - to be an accessible and welcoming environment where customers will be able to order 'simple pub food done well' alongside local ales, drinks and bar snacks. 

Budget brands to dominate UK hotel development over the next three years

15-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Budget brands will make up 47 per cent of new hotel developments over the next three years, according to BDO’s latest Hotel Britain report.

We grill challenges 'monotonous' London lunch market

14-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

A new fast-casual grilled skewers restaurant is hoping to break up what its owner calls the ‘monotonous’ salads and sandwich-centric London lunch market.

Sienna's Russell Brown to focus on consultancy following restaurant sale

14-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Chef Russell Brown has said he will focus on running his consultancy Creative about Cuisine following the sale of his Michelin-starred restaurant Sienna at the end of this month.  

Zerodegrees founder: 'now's the time to expand'

14-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Bar, restaurant and microbrewery business Zerodegrees has set plans into place for expansion this year with locations along the M4 corridor its focus for new sites.  

Costa trials zero-energy 'eco-pod' restaurant

14-Apr-2015 By Sophie Witts

Costa has opened a zero-energy ‘eco-pod’ coffee shop at Wrekin Retail Park in Telford.