Becker plans to be big on the party scene
Award-winning chef Rainer Becker will launch an outside catering service specialising in parties later this year. The head chef of Japanese restaurants Zuma and Roka has set it as his challenge for 2005. "It's completely new territory and I can't wait to get out there with my team and give it a go," he said. Becker recently picked up two Tatler awards for Best Chef and Best London Restaurant for Zuma in Knightsbridge.

Brakes signs up for Nectar scheme
Brakes will be sweetening its clients with Nectar points, after it became a founding sponsor of the Nectar for Business reward programme. The loyalty scheme will allow small to medium-sized independent businesses to collect points from Brakes, earning two Nectar points for every £1 spent on frozen, chilled or grocery goods, catering supplies, equipment or Taste of Italy products. Points can also be collected from a range of other outlets, including Sainsbury's, BP and Debenhams, and then redeemed against a range of Nectar rewards, including Brakes vouchers. For more information call 0845 606 9090.