Articles by Date : December 01 2007 - December 31 2007

Predictions for 2008 from the industry
This year looks set to be a tougher one for hospitality and tourism operators. We round up the predictions of the main trade bodies here. more
(31 December 2007 07:00)

Management masterclass from Sir Gerry Robinson
Troubleshooter Sir Gerry Robinson reckons all businesses can achieve success with a few simple golden rules. Nic Paton caught up with him at a recent.... more
(29 December 2007 00:00)

Bank warns of difficult 2008 for pubs
An investment bank has warned that a triple whammy of a dip in consumer confidence, growing supermarket alcohol discounting and over-capacity in.... more
(28 December 2007 07:00)

The Bench: London weekly hotel performance to 23 December, 2007
London hotels saw revenue per available room (revpar) grow by 30.9% in the week ending 23 December, according to figures from hotel benchmarking.... more
(27 December 2007 09:01)

The Bench: Scottish hotel performance in August 2007
Hotels in Scotland saw revenue per available room (revpar) grow by 6.3% during the month of August. more
(27 December 2007 09:00)

BHA to showcase local suppliers initiative
The British Hospitality Association (BHA) is hosting a conference next month to showcase Salsa, an initiative set up to help local suppliers sell.... more
(27 December 2007 09:00)

SFT to release school meal guidance early 2008
The School Food Trust (SFT) has issued a response to concerns from caterers over next summer’s changes to school dinners, insisting that guidance due.... more
(27 December 2007 09:00)

Sodexho loses school meals contract it held for 27 years
Sodexho has lost a school meals contract it has held for 27 years, Caterersearch has learnt. more
(27 December 2007 07:00)

Glorious Group goes under
London-based restaurant company the Glorious Group has collapsed, Caterer has learnt. more
(24 December 2007 07:00)

Tragus delay IPO decision
Café Rouge owner Tragus, the private-equity backed restaurant group, has delayed its decision on whether to conduct an initial public offering for.... more
(21 December 2007 16:46)

Over 30s more likely to drink over the limit
Drinkers in their 30s and 40s are more likely to drink above their daily recommended limit than drinkers in their 20s, a survey has found. more
(21 December 2007 15:44)

Breakfast Branches Out – US Food Trends
Operators wake up to the fact that breakfast foods can entice diners morning, noon and night. more
(21 December 2007 15:08)

Soup: Pot Luck - US Food Trends
Whether classic or innovative, soups gain traction on menus as nutritious, nostalgic and convenient options. more
(21 December 2007 15:02)

Four Stars: Proof’s in the Pudding – US Food Trends
Day-old bread gets its due in these playful approaches to bread pudding, a homey favorite now enjoying a comeback as a dessert-menu regular. more
(21 December 2007 14:45)

80-pub bar crawl celebrates Liverpool Capital of Culture
Liverpool is to highlight its pub heritage during its year as European Capital of Culture in 2008 by creating an "around the city in 80 pubs" bar.... more
(21 December 2007 14:11)

Savoy auction makes over £1.8m
The Savoy auction, which finished last night, saw the public fork out more than £1.8m during the battle to secure one of the 3,000 items of.... more
(21 December 2007 12:26)

Cote brasserie to open second site
Andy Bassadone and Chris Benians, the former management team of Strada, are to open the second site of their French brasserie concept Cote. more
(21 December 2007 08:00)

Under pressure pub industry needs support in 2008
The pub industry is under serious pressure and will need the support of the Government in 2008 more than ever, according to the British Beer & Pub.... more
(21 December 2007 07:00)

Roast fillet of East Anglian pork - by Alan McGilveray
By Alan McGilveray, development chef for Fairfax Meadow Catering Butchers more
(20 December 2007 16:43)

A show of Yorkshire pork - by Phil Bowen
By Phil Bowen, development chef for Underwood Meat Co more
(20 December 2007 16:40)

Pork Wellington - by Patrick Roubequet
By Patrick Roubequet, development chef for the British Pig Executive (BPEX) more
(20 December 2007 16:37)

Enterprise Inns buys Norfolk restaurant and bar
Enterprise Inns has bought the freehold on the Red Lion restaurant and bar in the Norfolk village of Needham. more
(20 December 2007 16:11)

Leeds couple buy four-star Harrogate guesthouse
A couple who ran a paper shop in Leeds have bought the four-star Ash Grove Guest House in the Victorian spa town of Harrogate. more
(20 December 2007 16:07)

New owners for Lake District riverside inn
Wayne Curtis and Angela McGowan from Knottingly have bought the Stanley Arms hotel in the Cumbrian village of Calderbridge, near Whitehaven. more
(20 December 2007 16:04)

Southsea café changes hands
A local businessman has bought Lou Lou’s Café in the seaside resort of Southsea, which lies within the waterfront city of Portsmouth in Hampshire. more
(20 December 2007 16:01)

Trowbridge operators buy Wiltshire dining inn
Experienced operators from Trowbridge have bought the leasehold on the Pelican Inn, a destination dining venue with rooms that backs on to the River.... more
(20 December 2007 15:58)

New owners to rename long-running Sheffield restaurant
Kerry and Mandy Pinning, the new owners of the long-established Viva Latino restaurant in Sheffield, plan to rename the business The Italian Place. more
(20 December 2007 15:55)

Revpar grows by nearly 12% at London hotels
London hotels saw revenue per available room (revpar) grow by 11.8% in the week ending 16 December, according to figures from hotel benchmarking.... more
(20 December 2007 15:30)

Christmas eating out spend down, claims new report
Prospects for a bumper Christmas have taken a hit after a 20% dip in sales during the second weekend in December, according to a new survey. more
(20 December 2007 15:00)

Michelin-starred Greenhouse restaurant to close for refurbishment
The Greenhouse restaurant in London is to shut next month for a major refurbishment. more
(20 December 2007 14:30)

Taj Hotels owner calls for public apology from Orient Express
A row has broken out between Orient Express and the Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) after a proposed joint venture between the luxury chains went sour. more
(20 December 2007 14:00)

Belfast restaurant fined for turning away blind diners
A Chinese restaurant in Belfast has been ordered to pay two blind friends £2,000 in compensation after turning them away because they had a guide.... more
(20 December 2007 13:17)

Accor to sell 57 hotels for £373m
Accor is to sell 57 hotels for €518m (£373m) in a deal that provides expansion opportunities for the group in France and Switzerland. more
(20 December 2007 12:50)

Real Hotel Company launches budget brand
The Real Hotel Company has launched a new budget brand into the UK marketplace to compete with sector leaders Premier Inn and Travelodge. more
(20 December 2007 12:06)

The Restaurant TV show contenders take over pub
Nicola and Tom Nickerson, the mother and son team who were among the contenders in Raymond Blanc's reality programme The Restaurant, have signed a.... more
(20 December 2007 12:00)

The Bench: London weekly hotel performance to 16 December, 2007
London hotels saw revenue per available room (revpar) grow by 11.8% in the week ending 16 December, according to figures from hotel benchmarking.... more
(20 December 2007 10:57)

The Bench: West Midland hotel performance in July 2007
Hotels in the West Midlands saw revenue per available room (revpar) grow by 12.5% during the month of July. more
(20 December 2007 10:53)

Industry warning over temps' rights
Growing Parlimentary support for additional rights for temporary workers could create an "administrative nightmare" for hotel companies hiring agency.... more
(20 December 2007 10:00)

Classic Country Pubs seeks second Farm
Catey Pub and Bar Award winner Paul Salisbury is looking for a second site for the Farm, his latest offering from Classic Country Pubs, after the.... more
(20 December 2007 09:00)

Win a counter-top induction hob from Valera
This month’s winner will get everything they need to offer customers a top-class Chinese meal, prepared theatre-style, including a selection of Amoy.... more
(20 December 2007 08:00)

Claw Island lobster from Lyons seafood
Lyons Seafoods has launched a sustainably sourced whole cooked Claw Island lobster to the food service sector. more
(20 December 2007 07:56)

Knorr Soup2Go from Unilever
Unilever Foodsolutions and Huhtamaki have teamed up to create the Knorr Soup2Go serving concept. more
(20 December 2007 07:55)

Soup Bowls from Baxters
Baxters Soup Bowls are microwaveable for on-the-go lunchtime convenience and "at desk" dining. more
(20 December 2007 07:54)

20 new chilled seafood lines from 3G
Whole langoustines, octopi and Dutch rock oysters are among more than 20 new chilled seafood products from 3G Foodservice & Seafood Solutions. more
(20 December 2007 07:53)

Four pies from Brakes
Brakes has launched four new varieties of pies, comprising cottage; steak and Merlot; salmon and smoked haddock; and Stilton, peppered mushroom and.... more
(20 December 2007 07:52)

Add-ons to Knorr Americas sauce range from Unilever
Knorr Fajita Sauce is the latest addition to the Knorr Americas sauces range. The four other reformulated prepared sauces include Sweet Hickory BBQ,.... more
(20 December 2007 07:51)

LT Co teas from Peros
The LT Co range of teas from Peros is supplied in biodegradable pouches and comes in six varieties. more
(20 December 2007 07:49)

Rocombe ice-creams and a sorbet from 3G
Four new ice-creams and one sorbet, all from Rocombe Farm Organic Ice Creams and Sorbets, have joined the 3G ice-cream range. more
(20 December 2007 07:49)

Margetts dessert sauces from Kerry
Margetts' classic dessert sauces have been reformulated and are now free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. more
(20 December 2007 07:48)

Redfish from M&J Seafood
Add a splash of colour to your fish and seafood menu with fresh redfish fillets now available from M&J Seafood. more
(20 December 2007 07:47)