Catering

The Lowdown: Wings & Rings

28-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

Popeyes UK has launched a wedding catering service for those looking to add a little Cajun spice to their nuptials.

Social Pantry appoints James Spragg as non-executive chairman

15-May-2023 By James McAllister

London-based restaurant group and catering company Social Pantry has announced the appointment of former Casual Dining Group CEO James Spragg as its new non-executive chairman.

How I Got Here: Alex Head

19-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

The owner of restaurant group and catering company Social Pantry on combining her love of food and entrepreneurship, challenging outdated attitudes in the industry, and her secret signature dish.

10 Greek Street launches nationwide catering business

03-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Soho restaurant 10 Greek Street is making a play into the catering business with a new nationwide food service.

Chez Roux moves beyond sports event catering

29-Sep-2022 By Restaurant

Emily and Michel Roux have expanded their hospitality catering arm Chez Roux so that it is now available to experience at home.

Events caterer Amadeus introduces carbon labelling

20-Sep-2022 By Restaurant

Live events caterer Amadeus is trialling carbon labelling at its NEC Group venues.

Hospitality and catering courses added to Lifetime Skills Guarantee

29-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality and catering courses have been added to the Government's Lifetime Skills Guarantee, having previously been excluded from the offer.

UK events industry faces over 400,000 job losses without further Government support

07-Oct-2020 By James McAllister

Over 400,000 jobs in the UK events industry could be lost by the end of the year according to a survey carried out by online event planning platform Feast It.

United We Stand

Government called on for more support for 'forgotten' events catering sector

07-May-2020 By Restaurant

The Government is being called on to provide more support to the £43bn events catering sector to help safeguard its 570,000 jobs.

united we stand

Podcast: Zoe Adjonyoh on turning her catering company into a community kitchen

23-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Chef and author Zoe Adjonyoh believes more support is needed for small enterprises such as her own that are looking to pivot and refocus their business as a result of the Coronavirus crisis.

Beales Gourmet enters administration 'as a direct result' of Coronavirus crisis

15-Apr-2020 By James McAllister

Dorset-based catering company Beales Gourmet has fallen into administration 'as a direct result' of the Coronavirus crisis.

Nigel Smith-backed catering company enters administration

31-Mar-2020 By James McAllister

Cookeze, the Lancashire‐based event catering business that specialised in ‘artisan patisserie’ and was partly owned by chef Nigel Smith, has fallen into administration with a loss of 72 jobs.

Green & Fortune secures Central Hall Westminster catering contract

20-Jan-2020 By James McAllister

London-based hospitality company Green & Fortune is to oversee all hospitality and retail catering services at Central Hall Westminster as part of a £15m contract.

How I Got Here: Tom Gore

30-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

Tom Gore is food director at London-based event catering and fine dining concept The Brewery.

The training restaurant that teaches mindset as well as skills

09-Aug-2019 By James McAllister

With London restaurants struggling to find chefs, the capital’s catering colleges are once again feeling the heat. Could student restaurant OKN1 in Hackney, which focuses on preparing chefs for the psychological rigours of the workplace, hold the answer?

Social Pantry set to expand following investment

02-Jul-2019 By James McAllister

London-based catering company Social Pantry is to put a series of expansion plans into action after receiving a £1.1m investment from investment firm Edition Capital.

The Lowdown: Feast It

09-May-2019 By James McAllister

The event catering agency Feast It has partnered with some of London’s top Michelin-star restaurants to launch a ‘unique’ catering experience.

How I got here: Arjun Varma

27-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Arjun Varma founded the Indian restaurant Vama in Chelsea, as well as the V8 Gourmet restaurant group. His newest project, Indian restaurant Chakra in Kensington, is set to launch a major expansion drive.

Bristol's Old Vic to launch new all-day restaurant next week

19-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

All-day restaurant 1766 Bar & Kitchen will launch at the Old Vic in Bristol, as part of the historic theatre’s redevelopment.

SMALL TALK

Holly Eggleton on working with family and making front-of-house fun

18-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Holly Eggleton runs the Pony & Trap in Chew Magna with her brother Josh Eggleton where she is responsible for front and back-of-house operations. She is also involved with the Salt and Malt café; the company's outside catering business and new...

The Clink Restaurants reduce prisoner re-offending by 41%

14-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The Clink Charity – the hospitality and restaurant training scheme for prisoners operating across the UK – reduces re-offending rates among male ex-offenders by a “statistically significant” 41 per cent, a new report has shown.

Front-of-house staff encouraged to enter Gold Service Scholarship 2017

01-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Front-of-house staff are being encouraged to enter the Gold Service Scholarship as the 2017 competition opens for entries.

Pod launches first site in four years as part of wider expansion

01-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Pod, the ‘healthy’ grab-and-go group, has opened its first new shop in almost four years, on London’s Kingsway, near Holborn.

Wilson Vale wins Conference Aston catering contract

18-Jul-2016 By Emma Eversham

Independent contract caterer Wilson Vale has won a three-year contract to provide catering services for Conference Aston in Birmingham. 

Sustainable Restaurant Association MD Mark Linehan to step down

25-Feb-2016 By Emma Eversham

The Sustainable Restaurant Association's (SRA) Mark Linehan has announced he is stepping down from his role as managing director. 

Hotelympia 2016 identifies industry trends

24-Feb-2016 By Emma Eversham

The growth of free-from food, de-formalised dining and the kitchen as theatre are some of latest trends in the hospitality sector that will be explored in more detail at Hotelympia 2016. 

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to move into event catering

24-Aug-2015 By Richard Groves

Richard Groves, group new business development director at Smart Group, gives tips on how chefs and restaurateurs can successfully move into event catering. 

Valentina Fine Foods to open flagship site at Tower Bridge

07-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Valentina Fine Foods has confirmed it will open its eighth restaurant and delicatessen at Tower Bridge next month. 

Harbour & Jones chef calls on event catering chefs to back his 'Real Food' campaign

11-Jul-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Leo Rodley, executive chef at 76 Portland Place, has launched a campaign - Real Food - in order to encourage event catering chefs to showcase their use of quality, seasonal produce and change the negative stereotypes surrounding meeting and event food. 

Rhubarb to open three restaurant and bar concepts at 20 Fenchurch Street

06-Jun-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Event contract caterer and restaurant operator Rhubarb has announced it will create two new restaurants and a canapé & champagne bar as part of the Sky Garden events space in the 20 Fenchurch Street skyscraper development.

Creativevents aims for greater share of heritage and attractions catering market with new appointment

29-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Events catering company Creativevents has taken on a business development manager for its heritage and visitor attractions division Creative Taste to help grow its share within the market. 

Cooks & Co launches Mediterranean ingredients range into foodservice

08-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Fine food and ingredients specialist Cooks & Co has launched its Mediterranean ingredients range into foodservice. 

Huhtamaki adds square plates to single-use range

01-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Disposables manufacturer Huhtamaki has added two newly-designed square plates to its Chinet range of single-use tableware.

Amadeus launches new ‘retail brand’ The Oak Kitchen

08-Feb-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The NEC Group’s event catering company Amadeus has revealed plans to rebrand 21 of its retail outlets across the UK as ‘The Oak Kitchen’ in a £1m, three-year rollout programme.

Dudson adds wooden plinths to Modus range

25-Jan-2013 By Emma Eversham

Tableware specialist Dudson has worked with Craster to add three wooden plinths to its Modus range to improve flexibility for a range of occasions such as event catering and buffets. 

Robert Thompson launches Isle of Wight event catering business

25-Jan-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Michelin-starred chef and Isle of Wight ambassador Robert Thompson has today announced the launch of a new business, Robert Thompson Event Catering, which will provide catering for homes, offices and venues across the island.

Planning for Christmas 2012: How to host the perfect event

26-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

As we’ve seen, preparing for the festive season early on is vital if you want it to go smoothly for your business, impress your customers and ultimately keep tills ringing. 

Raymond Blanc and Spirit Pub Company among Footprint Awards 2012 nominees

20-Apr-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Raymond Blanc, Spirit Pub Company, The Clink and Sark Island Hotels are among hospitality professionals and businesses nominated for the Footprint Awards 2012 which celebrates sustainable and environmental excellence in the foodservice supply chain.

Amadeus wins Stoneleigh Abbey catering contract

07-Feb-2012 By Emma Eversham

Event caterer Amadeus has won a three year rolling contract to be the sole provider of catering for weddings and events at the Grade I Listed Stoneleigh Abbey in Warwickshire.

The Real Greek and Prestige London appointments

30-Sep-2011 By Luke Nicholls

Kefi Ltd has appointed Christos Karatzenis as the new Head of Operations for The Real Greek, the London-based restaurant group.

Christmas products: Food

27-Sep-2011 By Luke Nicholls

BigHospitality takes a look at some festive-themed food including Redwood’s turkey-style vegetarian Celebration Roast and Brakes tapas range and game casserole. All of these food products are sure to make your business stand out from the crowd during...

Restaurants, pubs and hotels recognised for animal welfare policies

26-Aug-2011 By Becky Paskin

Due South in Brighton and Strattons Hotel in Swaffham, Norfolk, are among the nominated finalists for the RSPCA’s Good Business Awards 2011.

Pearls of Wisdom: Marlon Abela

12-Aug-2011 By Joe Lutrario

The man behind Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation (MARC) oversees eight top-end restaurants, split between London and New York, as well as the US-based FPB bakery brand.

Larchwood Foods produces rapeseed oil for professional kitchens

03-Aug-2011 By Emma Eversham

Norfolk-based Larchwood Foods has produced two rapeseed oil products under the Mr Hugh's brand especially designed for use in professional kitchens.

Heston Blumenthal moves into event catering with Rhubarb

18-Jul-2011 By Emma Eversham

Heston Blumenthal is to work in events catering for the first time in a link-up with Rhubarb food design.

Venue caterers urged to study consumer food trends to benefit from sector growth

11-Jul-2011 By Emma Eversham

Event and venue caterers are being urged to check that their food and drink offerings are in line with consumer trends so they can take advantage of predicted growth across the sector in the next four years.

Giorgio Locatelli and Vic Laws become ambassadors of The Clink

28-Jun-2011 By Emma Eversham

Chef Giorgio Locatelli and catering consultant Vic Laws have been appointed ambassadors of commercial prison restaurant, The Clink.

Tanaka and Jankel take Street Kitchen food truck to the City

14-Jun-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Pearl chef Jun Tanaka and Mark Jankel, chef and founder of The Food Initiative, will take their mobile Street Kitchen unit to Finsbury Avenue Square for three months to bring “gourmet grub” to the City’s business population.

Learning from abroad: Restaurants

09-Jun-2011 By Becky Paskin

The British restaurant industry can often be short-sighted; concentrating too much on what’s happening in their local neighbourhood rather than focusing on the bigger picture.

EU rules zero VAT on take-away food

23-Mar-2011 By Lorraine Heller

A European ruling could mean that restaurants and pubs pay no VAT on take-away food and drink, and they could reclaim some of the tax paid over the past four years.