Bristol mayor gives smashing welcome to Hard Rock barThe world's first Hard Rock bar has opened on Clare Street in Bristol. The contemporary bar has a wide range of memorabilia inside, including guitars previously owned by such celebrated musicians as Chris Isaak, Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters, and the late John Entwistle of The Who.
Ticket proceeds from the opening party (£2,000), at which singers Midge Ure and Amy Wadge performed, went to local charity MusicSpace. Bill Martin, the lord mayor of Bristol, can be seen welcoming Hard Rock to the city using the somewhat unusual greeting technique of smashing a guitar into very small pieces - a rock-fan favourite pastime, credited in this instance to The Who's Pete Townshend.
Claridge's chef wins week in NY kitchens in Queen's scholarship
Claridge's chef Adam Peirson, 23, has won a £2,500 Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to help further his career development and gain inspiration in the kitchens of New York's hotels and restaurants. Peirson, who won an Academy of Culinary Arts Scholarship in 2002, will spend a week between the kitchens of Aquavit, La Bernardin and the Jean George Mercar later this year.
Queen Elizabeth Scholarships, endowed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, are designed to advance education among modern and traditional chefs and trades in the UK, and are open to men and women of all ages. Scholarships are awarded twice a year, and this spring nine awards were made.
Those interested in applying for an autumn scholarship (closing date, 16 July) should visit
www.qest.org.uk for more information.
Minister gambles on new Sector Skills Council
The secretary of state for education and skills put his cards on the table last week by licensing People 1st, a new Sector Skills Council (SSC) dedicated to the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries.
The official launch of the new SSC was held at Gala's Barracuda Casino at Baker Street, London. Pictured (from left) are: Lord Sainsbury, Parliamentary under-secretary of state; John Brackenbury, chairman of People 1st; and Richard Caborn, minister for sport and tourism. They were on hand to celebrate and have some fun at the tables.
People 1st will work to attract more funding for training courses relating to hospitality, as well as advising operators on how to become eligible for the financial support currently available within the funding system for training they already offer.
Longer-term, and in partnership with other SSCs, the council aims to explore the value of some qualifications, suggesting improvements where there are perceived weaknesses.