I can’t believe it’s December already. This is of course somewhat embarrassing as at my age you’d think I’d have sussed that the preceding November is a giveaway that the twelfth month of the year is just around the corner.
Of course December means many things to many people: a month or so already of Christmas advertising from merciless retailers, lots of parties, and of course, the big day itself. So as we countdown to Christmas Caterersearch has got together with a lot of our generous chums to offer you dear reader a mind-blowing collection of goodies courtesy of our online advent calendar.
Simply click on the corresponding day’s date to reveal the fab. competition prizes behind the door, and that’s every day in the run in to Christmas, so make sure you take a look at the prizes on offer this weekend. These include a chance to win a stay at a Malmaison or Hotel du Vin property, and lunch for two at the newly opened The Pass restaurant at South Lodge Hotel, West Sussex combined with lunch or dinner for two at the Bybrook restaurant at Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe, Wiltshire.
Unfortunately the Scrooge mentality appears to be gaining the upper hand in these increasingly tough times with events caterers facing a wave of Christmas party cancellations. Bah humbug!
Both Folio Hotels and property investment firm AAIM felt the full force of the chill wind blowing through the hospitality industry and collapsed into administration.
But that’s not to say deals aren’t still being done. Cater Link extended its school meals contract with the London Borough of Camden and Foster Events Catering retained its deal at Oxford Town Hall. Pub group JD Wetherspoon revealed plans to launch five new pubs next week and City contract caterer Vacherin is to open its first public restaurant next year.
Bean there, done it might be true of Coffee Republic, which has lead an exciting life to date, but the chain this week got the nod from shareholders to effectively become debt free via a share issue. In these credit crunch affected times that can’t be a bad thing.
A Belfast chef was named as the 2008 Gordon Ramsay Scholar and Matt Jaynes became Lexington Catering’s LexChef 2008.
Is there a doctor in the house? Well King’s College Hospital in London has put its £17m catering and soft services out to tender.
In need of resuscitation was guide book publisher the AA’s human resources policy after former inspector Jayne Wyatt won her unfair dismissal case, while Joël Robuchon proved he was most certainly part of the A-Team winning four more Michelin stars in Hong Kong and Macau. I love it when a plan comes together.
While London’s luxury hotels cut rates to entice celebrities and garner publicity, the list of London’s most influential people in food, was hard for some, to swallow.
Don’t you know who I am? No! Oh well, same time next week?
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Taste of Christmas with Gordon Ramsay tickets up for grabs >>
Quote of the Week
“This is the worst example of policy on the hoof. There is no beneficial effect anywhere as far as I can see.”
Bar Group chief executive Paul Wigham after operators were given six days to change all their VAT systems.