Articles by Date : November 01 2008 - November 30 2008

Menu at Bel Canto dubbed ‘diabolical’ by food critic
Bel Canto, the restaurant in the City of London where opera singing staff serenade to the diners, serves a menu that is “simply diabolical”,.... more
(07 November 2008 10:55)

What’s on the Menu? - A round-up of the latest restaurant reviews
A round-up of the latest restaurant reviews including: Soseki; Rosa's; Bel Canto; and Rotunda Bar & Restaurant more
(07 November 2008 10:45)

Ex-Compass man joins Artizian as operations manager
Contract caterer Artizian has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new operations manager. more
(07 November 2008 08:00)

Rezidor names managers for first Missoni hotels
Hotel group Rezidor has announced the appointment of general managers for its first two fashion designer branded hotels, in Edinburgh and Kuwait City. more
(07 November 2008 07:30)

Lincolnshire hotel gets token compensation after fraud
A Lincolnshire hotel that lost out when a customer defaulted on a bill of almost £30,000 is to receive compensation - of just £1. more
(07 November 2008 07:00)

Receive a free copy of Michelin-starred Tom Aikens's new book, Fish, now!
Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens’s new book, Fish, illustrates his passion for the subject. Having spent time with fishermen around the globe, this.... more
(06 November 2008 16:57)

Interview with Michelin-starred Heston Blumenthal on The Big Fat Duck Cookbook
He's produced a book that looks distinctly El Bulli - large, expensive and with elaborate recipes - but it's meant as the definitive last word on the.... more
(06 November 2008 16:29)

Tom Wright to quit VisitBritain to join charity
VisitBritain’s chief executive, Tom Wright, is stepping down from the role after seven years to join a new charity, it was announced today. more
(06 November 2008 15:36)

Jamie Oliver calls for a Minister for Food to tackle obesity
Jamie Oliver, the celebrity chef campaigner, today called on the Government to appoint a dedicated minister for food to prevent an obesity “horror.... more
(06 November 2008 15:20)

Restaurants overcharge for bottled water, say consumers
The majority of the public think that restaurants overcharge for bottled water, according to research from consumer watchdog Which? more
(06 November 2008 14:23)

Video: Heston Blumenthal considers follow-up book for the home cook 
Heston Blumenthal’s recently launched Big Fat Duck Cookbook may not be a one-off, the chef-proprietor of Bray’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant has.... more
(06 November 2008 12:55)

Hotel marketing consortia 2008 - Industry data
The UK's 10 biggest hotel marketing consortia by bedroom numbers in 2008. more
(06 November 2008 11:45)

Revpar falls by nearly 18% at London hotels
London hotels saw revenue per available room (revpar) drop by 18% in the week ending 2 November, according to figures from hospitality research.... more
(06 November 2008 10:00)

Olympic fair pricing charter garners support
Over 40 London businesses have signed up to the 2012 UK Event Industry Fair Pricing & Practice Charter since its launch two weeks ago. more
(06 November 2008 08:00)

Malmaison looks east for international expansion
Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) is stepping up its efforts to take boutique hotel chain Malmaison international, while it continues to roll out its.... more
(06 November 2008 07:30)

Corrigan to close Lindsay House and move to Mayfair
Iconic London restaurant Lindsay House is set to close next summer after 25 years, Caterer has learnt. more
(06 November 2008 07:00)

Best Places to Work in Hospitality 2009: No rest for the double winner
Malmaison and Hotel du Vin may have won back-to-back Caterer and Hotelkeeper Best Places to Work in Hospitality awards, but the group isn't about to.... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

Shamwari Townhouse, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
The Mantis Collection's latest opening on the east coast of South Africa is a boutique property flanked by sandy beaches and acres of nature reserves.... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

Downturn can strengthen businesses
The downturn need not be all doom and gloom for hospitality operators, insists Peter Wood, general manager of Grayshott Spa in Guildford, Surrey, and.... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

Mandarin Oriental, Boston, USA
Located on Boston's Back Bay, this hotel offers 136 guestrooms and 12 suites individually designed with Asian interiors. The Asana restaurant offers.... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

Anantara Phuket, Thailand
This resort is located on Mai Khao Beach and comprises 83 private villas sleeping between one and four. It features five dining outlets including a.... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

Doubletree by Hilton Milan, Italy
Hilton's first Doubletree property in Europe is located in Italy's fashion capital of Milan in close proximity to the city's main exhibition centres..... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

Brussels sprouts, Duck, Plaice
An early cold snap might well finish off the more tender northern European crops, but it can only help the flavour of hardy... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

Saf, London - Menuwatch
Saf restaurant's 100% vegan menu may not be the ideal choice for the avid meat lover, but it offers an exciting dining experience to be found nowhere.... more
(06 November 2008 00:00)

MEPs vote to block 48-hour opt-out for staff
MEPs have voted to ban employees in Britain from choosing to work more than 48 hours per week in a decision that has been described as a “bitter pill.... more
(05 November 2008 17:55)

Giraldin joins the board for Le Gavroche PR firm
Silvano Giraldin, who recently retired after 37 years managing front-of-house at Le Gavroche, has become non-executive director at the public.... more
(05 November 2008 17:45)

American’s love of burgers unlikely to change under Barack Obama
America’s new president elect Barack Obama may be promising change but new research suggests he will be unlikely to influence the country’s hefty.... more
(05 November 2008 17:18)

London weekly hotel performance to 2 November, 2008
London hotels saw revenue per available room (revpar) drop by 18% in the week ending 2 November, according to figures from hospitality research.... more
(05 November 2008 15:54)

Scottish weekly hotel performance to 2 November, 2008
Hotels in Scotland saw revenue per available room (revpar) grow by 6.22% in the week ending 2 November, 2008, according to figures from hospitality.... more
(05 November 2008 15:48)

Kevin Bacon to leave Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group
Kevin Bacon, managing director of leisure at Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group (TRG), is to leave the company. more
(05 November 2008 12:23)

Kew Green completes £140m refinancing
Hotel group Kew Green Hotels has completed a £140m re-financing exercise. more
(05 November 2008 11:34)

Aspire Hospitality wins multimillion-pound Towcester racecourse deal
Aspire Hospitality Group has won a multimillion-pound deal to provide catering and hospitality services at Towcester racecourse in Northamptonshire. more
(05 November 2008 10:09)

US hotel operator Dolce Hotels to expand into UK
US-based hotel operator Dolce Hotels has unveiled plans to expand within the UK in the next year. more
(05 November 2008 09:00)

Abode Hotels acquires Salisbury site
Boutique hotel group Abode Hotels has acquired a site in Salisbury’s city centre in order to develop a new hotel. more
(05 November 2008 08:00)

Search for 2009 UK Sommelier of the Year Award on
The Academy of Food & Wine has launched its search for the 2009 UK Sommelier of the Year. more
(04 November 2008 16:59)

Roast pheasant, Koffmann cabbage and pomegranate sauce by Tim Payne
For the pheasant, preheat the oven to 200°C. Season the pheasants, then heat the rapeseed oil in a frying pan and brown the breasts, for about five.... more
(04 November 2008 16:28)

Restaurants may have to tell customers where tips go
Restaurants could be forced to display on their menus how much of their service charge is given to waiting staff, under proposals being considered by.... more
(04 November 2008 14:35)

Punch Taverns spends £14m on helping licensees during slowdown
Punch Taverns, the UK’s largest pub operator, has spent £14m over the past year supporting licensees hit by the consumer slowdown and the continued.... more
(04 November 2008 13:00)

JD Wetherspoon benefits from 'Aldi effect' as sales rise
JD Wetherspoon has become the latest high-street operator to benefit from the “Aldi effect” as customers trading down helped to boost sales. more
(04 November 2008 12:13)

Glasgow officials give green light to new contract catering player
Plans to create a significant new player in the contract catering market in Scotland have been given the green-light by Glasgow officials. more
(04 November 2008 11:03)

Sodexo appoints James Greetham as head of fine-dining division
Contract caterer Sodexo has appointed James Greetham to head up its fine dining division Directors Table. more
(04 November 2008 10:45)

Belfast caterer pays chef £22,500 in discrimination settlement
A Northern Ireland catering company has agreed to pay £22,500 compensation to a chef in settlement of a discrimination case. more
(04 November 2008 08:30)

Bristol Radisson SAS opening delayed after water damage
A new landmark hotel in the centre of Bristol will open three months late after heavy rain caused severe damage during construction. more
(04 November 2008 08:00)

Developer shrugs off credit crunch impact on Canary Wharf restaurants
Restaurants in Canary Wharf will be able to succeed despite the banking crisis, a local developer has insisted. more
(04 November 2008 07:30)

Dudson to provide Virgin Trains with china
Tableware company Dudson is to supply Virgin Trains with more than a quarter of a million pieces of china this December. more
(03 November 2008 16:27)

Nine Elms site for New Covent Garden Market redevelopment given green light
The Government has given the green light to redevelopment plans for the New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) site at Nine Elms in Vauxhall, London,.... more
(03 November 2008 16:23)

Donald Trump gets green light for £1b golf resort and five-star hotel
Donald Trump, the US tycoon, has finally been given the green light to develop his £1b golf resort and five-star hotel in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. more
(03 November 2008 16:10)

Restaurant barometer to help restaurants battling recession
London restaurateurs have been urged to get involved in a monthly barometer run by Government agency Business Link in London to help them benchmark.... more
(03 November 2008 13:36)

Aubergine doesn't hit the spot with critic
Aubergine at the Compleat Angler in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, serves a menu “suffering from pretension and an excess of dairy products”, according to.... more
(03 November 2008 13:00)

Rezidor announces £15.8m in yearly cost cuts as credit crunch bites
Hotel operator Rezidor has announced plans to cut costs by €20m (£15.8m) a year after it suffered falls in occupancy and revenue in the third quarter. more
(03 November 2008 13:00)