Friday Wrap: A round-up of the week's hospitality news

Feeling beautiful, darlings? Then perhaps a role in event catering is for you if the latest story on Kitchen Rat is anything to go by.

Back in the restaurant world Simone Falco, managing director of Rossopomodoro, reckons the sexiest food of all is pizza and has banned cutlery because “the pleasure of eating it is just as much about how it feels as how it tastes". Well quite.  

And those that fancy a bit of crumpet need look no further than Kitchen Crumpet, a website that allows you to vote for your favourite hospitality hottie. Syrup not included.

Holiday Inn Hull seems to have upset the locals with its English-to-Hull translation document, while the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce free school meals to primary schools upset the Labour opposition.

Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany continued to impress the critics while losses at Premium Bars & Restaurants, previously Ultimate Leisure, rocketed despite the company’s recent move to focus on food.

Simon Hulstone became the Knorr National Chef of the Year and experts warned the buy-to-let hotel model was under threat following the collapse of GuestInvest.

The current global financial turmoil scuppered plans for a management buyout at restaurant group Prezzo and “abnormal” fuel cost rises ate up profits at Peel Hotels.

The British Hospitality Association said the hotel industry in the UK is in the middle of a building boom despite the credit crunch. But the economic downturn is having an impact on organic food sales with operators increasingly opting for cheaper alternatives. How do you like them apples?

Editor's Pick 

• Free coaching package worth £1,500 for hospitality executives
• Acorn Scholarship deadline today
• Video: Simon Hulstone wins Knorr National Chef of the Year competition
• Nestlé signs up as sponsor of Wembley Stadium

Quote of the Week 

Of the 600 degree-level hospitality students we believe we produce every year, how many will even enter the industry in this country? We don’t know.”
- BHA chief Bob Cotton admits that too many graduates are slipping away.

By Chris Druce