They really don’t make ‘em like they used to.
Exclusive research from our sister magazine Caterer and Hotelkeeper revealed this week that the dire state of equipment in school kitchens is likely to hamper plans to improve the quality of food.
But the finding that most impressed me was that 17% of schools said they had a piece of equipment more than 50 years old – mainly ovens. That’s some seriously heavy-duty kit.
On the subject of school meals, Compass (“don’t mention the Turkey Twizzlers”) unveiled utilities boss Sir Roy Gardner as the successor to chairman Sir Francis Mackay. Wonder if the job ad specified “must have knighthood”.
Also on the move was David Hayes, who stepped down as head of hotels consortium Best Western GB after 12 years.
Elsewhere in the hotels sector, there was yet another twist in the tale of Jurys Doyle, as the Doyle family itself was rumoured to be putting together an £800m bid.
It was a busy week for the pubs sector.
Pubs ‘n’ Bars joined the growing number of pub groups planning to ditch hot food to allow its punters to continue sparking up after the forthcoming ban on smoking.
Laurel meanwhile revealed that it was likely to axe several of its high-street brand names after swallowing up rivals Yates and SFI earlier this year. Bye-bye then to the Litten Tree, I would guess (or the Litter Tray as my local one is more commonly known).
Wolves & Dudley had its bid for English Country Inns [302615] declared unconditional, while Luminar revealed it was having problems getting shot of Chicago Rock Café and Jumpin’ Jaks.
On the restaurants front, rapidly expanding Loch Fyne is close to getting a new financial backer after venture capital firm Hutton Collins was granted a period of exclusivity.
And on the high street, Caffé Nero defied the retail gloom to post record profits of £70m.
Good news also for Britain’s tourist attractions as the wet summer actually helped boost their visitor numbers.
And finally, it was a good week too for lovers of beer and sausages.
A report from Mintel showed the British banger making a spectacular comeback, while Camra revealed there were more British beers around today than at any time since 1971.
Quote of the Week:
“Manufacturers today are reinventing sausages as posh nosh.” – Mintel analyst David Bird