Battle of the M&B board rages on – For more hospitality stories, see what the weekend papers say
Battle of the M&B board rages on
Sunday Telegraph, the Sunday Times, and the Observer >>
Hospitality staff at high risk of divorce Hospitality staff make a strong showing in a new piece of research that correlates jobs with divorce and separation rates. The paper, which will be published in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, found people in extrovert or stressful jobs were highly likely to divorce. The risk was highest among bartenders (in second place with a 38.43% risk of separation), followed in sixth place by baggage porters and concierges, who faced at 28.43% risk. Waiters and waitresses came eighth with a 27.12% risk, while chefs and head cooks were in 10th position with a 20.10% likelihood of family breakdown. "It won't amaze anyone that relationships frequently break down under the pressure of jobs involving long hours and unpredictable working patterns," said chartered occupational psychologist Dai Williams. "Or that if you work in an extrovert environment, you will have more chance to meet other people and develop competing relationships. The research found that shift work, overtime and weekend work did not affect marital stability. - 6 December, Read the full article in the Observer >>
Chef Gino D'Acampo faces charges after killing and eating ratReady Steady Cook chef Gino D'Acampo faces animal cruelty charges after he killed and ate a rat on the I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! reality show, which he won. D'Acampo and co-accused, actor Stuart Manning, caught and cooked the rat when they were reduced to rations of rice and beans. D'Acampo said in the show's video diary room, ""I saw one of these rats running around. I got a knife, I got its throat, I picked it up." The RSPCA in New South Wales said it was unacceptable to kill an animal for a TV performance. A show insider told the News of the World it was likely the rat was a tame animal used for the programme's Bushtucker Trials. D'Acampo and Manning have been summoned to attend Murwillumbah local court on 3 February. - December, Read the full articles in the Sunday Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday >>
Sale or refinancing on the cards for Chicago Rock Café
The future of the Chicago Rock Café chain of bars could be decided this week, with a sale possible before Christmas. The corporate finance arm of restructuring specialist Zolfo Cooper has been working on a sale of 3D Entertainment, which owns around 55 Chicago Rock Cafés and 15 other sites including Jumpin Jaks and Mortimers pubs. "It is not a question of the business being in trouble, it is simply a question of getting into the right shape for the future. We are in a process with Zolfo Cooper. We will either end up refinancing or doing an outright sale. It has been going on for a couple of months," said David Crabtree, chief executive of 3D Entertainment. Bar operator Novus Leisure and private equity firms R Capital and Sun Capital have been named as potential buyers. Nightclub operator Luminar holds a 49% stake in 3D Entertainment. - 5 December, Read the full article in the Independent >> Starbucks launches 'flat white' coffees in UK alone
Starbucks is to launch its first new type of coffee to British customers since it entered the market more than ten years ago. The new beverage, 'flat white', follows requests from central London customers for a less milky drink. It is smaller, stronger and less milky than other Starbucks drinks, comprising two shots of espresso in an 8oz serving whereas a small latte uses one shot of espresso in a 12oz container. Flat white will cost £2.25, compared with £1.99 for a small latte and £2.35 for a medium latte. Starbucks coffee ambassador, Alan Hartney, said the quality of the milk gave the flat white a sweeter taste and velvety texture, bringing out the caramel taste of the espresso. Starbucks will start selling flat white in central London from tomorrow before rolling it out nationwide next year. It is not being offered in the US. The drink is believed to have first been served in the UK by Eric Hiakita, manager of Soho coffee shop Flat White. - 5 December, Read the full article in the Daily Telegraph >>
Lord Mandelson warns Kraft over Cadbury bid
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has warned that the British Government would oppose any foreign takeover of Cadbury that looked like short-term profiteering or asset-stripping. "If you think you can come here and make a fast buck you] will find that you face huge opposition from the local population… and the British Government," Lord Mandelson said on Friday, adding that the Government would seek reassurances on UK jobs and the Bournville site. His comments came just hours after US group Kraft Foods bypassed the Cadbury board to take its bid direct to its shareholders. Kraft's 713p-a-share offer, which values Cadbury at £10.1b, is little changed on the offer it made last month. Cadbury's share price dropped by 5p to 795p on Friday, and many shareholders said they would only consider an offer at 800p-a-share. It is believed Hershey is considering an offer in concert with either Nestlé or Ferrero Roche. - 5 and 6 December, Read the full articles in the Independent , the Sunday Express - and the Daily Mail >>
By Angela Frewin
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