Fine Dining

Yorkshire town on the hunt for ""top class"" chef to open new restaurant

01-Oct-2010 By Rachel Johnson

The Yorkshire town of Malton is looking for a "top class" chef or patron to open a new restaurant in the town, and it's offering £10,000 to the right person to do so

Pearls of Wisdom: Henry Harris

01-Oct-2010 By Joe Lutrario

Henry Harris was chef at the Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichols for 10 years before opening Racine – also in Knightsbridge – to widespread critical acclaim

Third of restaurant-goers say ‘no’ to calories labelling

01-Oct-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Over a third of British restaurant goers would not want calorie labelling on restaurant menus, with 44 per cent of these saying it would ‘ruin’ their restaurant experience, a new poll has revealed

Corporate Responsibility: Ten top tips

01-Oct-2010 By Becky Paskin & Rachel Johnson

Trouble beginning your journey toward becoming a more responsible business? We've asked the experts for their top tips to help get you started.

Sol Melià brings new ME city hotel brand to London

30-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Spanish hotel chain Sol Melià is to bring its latest hotel brand, ME, to London, as it announces plans to open a site in Holborn in 2012

Simon Rogan “chuffed to bits” with fifth AA Rosette

30-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Chef Simon Rogan, owner of L’Enclume, has said he is “chuffed to bits” with his restaurant’s fifth AA rosette.

Derek Bulmer stands down as Michelin Guide editor

30-Sep-2010 By Joe Lutrario

Derek Bulmer, editor of the Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Guide, has retired from his position after 30 years working for the group.

Businesses splashing the cash as corporate entertaining makes a comeback

29-Sep-2010 By Stefan Chomka

Corporate entertaining, the saviour of many fine dining restaurants pre-recession, is making a welcome comeback with businesses beginning to splurge on expensive meals for clients, exclusive figures from American Express indicate

What does local sourcing really mean?

29-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Local sourcing is a term the whole nation is aware of, but what does it really mean?

Roussillon names Dan Gill as new head chef

29-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Former Midsummer House sous chef Dan Gill has been appointed head chef of Pimlico-based Michelin starred restaurant Roussillon, at the age of 23

Corporate Responsibility: South Sands Hotel

29-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Hotelier Jeff Gillard, who has recently reopened South Sands Hotel in Salcombe, Devon, believes there is no excuse for shying away from your commitment to the local community, no matter what size of business you have.

August a ""healthy"" month for British hotels

28-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

British hoteliers have enjoyed a healthy trade in August according to preliminary monthly figures released today.

Martin Wishart named AA Chef of the Year

28-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Scottish chef Martin Wishart, the owner of Edinburgh’s first Michelin starred restaurant, has been awarded the AA Chef’s Chef of the Year 2010 award by his culinary peers

Corporate Responsibility: Sam's Brasserie

28-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Being a responsible business isn’t just an extra, it’s an essential, says restaurateur Sam Harrison, owner of Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick and Harrison’s in Balham.

Tampopo expands into South East England

28-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Pan Asian chain Tampopo has opened its sixth outlet in the Oracle shopping centre in Reading, the company's first venture into South East England

Corporate Responsibility: How to get started

27-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

With the hospitality industry still reeling from the effects of the recession, concentrating on how responsible your business is may not be at the top of your ‘to do’ list.

Hotels missing out on “free and instant opportunity” to cut costs

27-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Hotels are missing a ‘free and instant opportunity’ to cut energy costs and reduce their carbon reduction liabilities, according to an eco-tourism certification body

Roussillon Dessert Trophy UK finalists named

27-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Four finalists have been named for the UK leg of the Wines of Roussillon Dessert Trophy 2010, the dessert and Roussillon Vin Doux Naturel (VDN) wine pairing competition

Harvest Swap Shop at St. Paul's and Young Guns at South Lodge Hotel

24-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Restaurants hotels and pubs, including The Restaurant at St. Paul's and South Lodge Hotel tell us about the extra activities their planning to attract customers

Alan Murchison to buy The New Angel in Dartmouth

24-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Alan Murchison’s 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group is to acquire The New Angel restaurant with rooms in Dartmouth, with a view to reopening the “destination restaurant” in January

UK hotels still to catch up with pre-recession performance

24-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Hotels operating in Britain’s tourist destinations saw a successful August, although performance still languished behind pre-recession levels

After hours with... Riddian Davies

24-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

The area general manager for Guoman's Charing Cross and Grosvenor hotels talks about leaving South Africa, becoming 'the best' and multi-tasking

Tom Aikens abandons Paramount restaurant purchase

23-Sep-2010 By Mark Stretton

Tom Aikens, the high-end chef, has walked away from a deal to buy six sites from Paramount Restaurants

Hallmark acquires sixth hotel in the Cotswolds

23-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Boutique brand Hallmark Hotels has acquired a new hotel in the Cotswolds, and is set to begin a £3 million refurbishment later this month, BigHospitality understands

Coworth Park prepares to open its doors

22-Sep-2010 By Joe Lutrario, Rachel Johnson

Hotel group Dorchester Collection is opening the doors to its latest country house hotel, Coworth Park on Monday (27 September)

BCA Caterer of the Year 2010 nominees announced

21-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Curry restaurant industry body Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA) has announced the contenders for its coveted Caterer of the Year award

Pizza Express bids for breakfast market with ‘new generation’ restaurant

21-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Pizza Express is set to serve breakfast for the first time as it opens the first of its “new generation” restaurants in Richmond next month

Whitbread plans 200 new hotels by 2015

21-Sep-2010 By Martyn Leek

Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn and Beefeater, intends to open 200 new hotels in the next four to five years, BigHospitality understands

Intercontinental Hotels to open 18 new European hotels

21-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), owner of Holiday Inn, has announced plans to open 18 new hotels in Europe, including eight in the UK

Traditional dishes back in fashion as Brits call for regional food in restaurants

21-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

British consumers are calling for more traditional British cuisine in restaurants, new research has revealed

National Restaurant Awards 2010 to be announced next month

20-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Next month we will reveal the 100 best restaurants in the UK as part of this year’s annual National Restaurant Awards

London Olympics to hit UK hotel recovery

20-Sep-2010 By Martyn Leek

The 2012 Olympic Games could harm the strength of the UK hotel recovery, especially in host city London, according to new research

Negative diner reviews more damaging than critics

20-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Over half of diners will avoid a restaurant after seeing a bad review, with a third trusting the view of their peers over the professional critics

Pearls of Wisdom: Lewis Hamblet

17-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

After running the Camellia at Exclusive Hotels’ South Lodge Hotel for over 10 years, executive chef Lewis Hamblet decided to downgrade and give protégé Matt Gillan centre stage with the hotels second restaurant, The Pass

Gondola buys Pizza Express international arm

17-Sep-2010 By Martyn Leek

Gondola Holdings, the casual dining restaurant group, has acquired the international franchise arm of Pizza Express

Mitchells & Butlers acquires Ha Ha Bar & Grill

17-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Mitchells & Butlers has acquired the 22-strong Ha Ha Bar & Grill from Bay Restaurant Group for £19.5m

Japanese eateries vie for Best Restaurant gong at World Food Awards

16-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

The nominees for the second annual World Food Awards have been announced, with two of London’s most high profile Japanese restaurants set to go head for head for the title of Restaurant of the Year

National Chef of the Year 2010 finalists named

16-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

The Craft Guild of Chefs has announced the 10 finalists through to the 2010 National Chef of the Year competition

English hotels continue to benefit from British holidaymakers

16-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

The hospitality industry in England is enjoying sustained success this summer, with the majority of hoteliers and self-catering outlets happy with summer trading, VisitEngland have said

Restaurant cloths showing poor hygiene, says HPA

16-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Over half the cleaning cloths used in restaurant and take-away kitchens are showing signs of poor hygiene and cross contamination, according to a report published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today

Best Western adds six new hotels to estate

15-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

Mid-market hotel brand Best Western has added six new hotels to its portfolio, taking its UK estate up to 280 properties

Jamie's Italian loses managing director

15-Sep-2010 By Martyn Leek

Kevin Bacon, the managing director of Jamie’s Italian International, has left the group as it streamlines its management team.

Luke Johnson buys majority stake in Ego Restaurants

15-Sep-2010 By Mark Stretton

Luke Johnson, the serial restaurant investor, has acquired a majority stake in Ego Restaurants, the 10-strong Mediterranean casual dining concept run by James Horler, for an undisclosed sum

London restaurants delivering better value for money

15-Sep-2010 By Becky Paskin

London restaurants have adapted their prices since the recession to meet the expectations of diners, who are finding better value for money now than ever before

Summer sales boost for restaurant and pubs

14-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Restaurant and pub chains are enjoying a sales boost this summer, according to figures released today, although experts warn that autumn revenue may take a tumble if bad weather continues

Devon heritage hotel up for sale

14-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

Boringdon Hall Hotel, a Grade I-listed hotel in Devon has been put up for sale, following its owner’s decision to retire.

D&D London profits up 32%

14-Sep-2010 By Rachel Johnson

D&D London, the high end restaurant chain, has posted yearly profits of £3.7m, up 32 per cent on the previous year, as Richoux and Individual Restaurant Company reported mixed results