The Caterer Blog

Dear Caterer Blog readers,

The Caterer team are no longer posting on this blog.

But don't despair, Caterer is returning with three new blogs dedicated to food, restaurants and products.

If you can't wait until then, don't forget you can still get news and gossip from our other blogs, Kitchen Rat and the Editor's Blog!

And if you don't want to miss anything, then why not bookmark us, so that you have up-to-date news and views from the industry and so that you know when our new blogs launch.

Many thanks!

After a distinctly disappointing, grey summer in the UK the launch of Sun Meadow at K West hotel and spa in London seems like a bright idea.

For stressed or depressed commuters everywhere, and of course hotel guests, the Sun Meadow is claimed to make use of the latest in light therapy technology to relax and rejuvenate you.

According to the press release "as you lie in the cool contemporary room, whilst gentle sounds fill your ears, you can feel the mild heat of the ultraviolet sun beams caress your body from head to toe", which has to be a better alternative to slapping on a load of cheap fake-tan from Boots and mixing yourself a Margareta.

Also, if you get a bit down during these grey old days the treatment is supposed to be perfect for combating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and safer than a bottle of whiskey (oh, is that just me).  

So don't be SAD this winter be happy. 

Special K>>

Secrets of the modern minibar>>

Gangsta's Paradise rapper Coolio fancies himself as a chef, according to the Daily Record, and reckons he could even take on Gordon Ramsay.

In an interview with the Scottish news website, he claims to be a gourmet chef and says he has his own YouTube channel for cooking. "I do a lot of healthy fusion food - I do Black Italian - Blitalian, Black Asian - Blasian, Black English - Blenglish and I'm about to try Black Scottish - Blottish." Can't wait.

Asked what he thought of Gordon's cooking, he says: "I ate in one of his restaurants and I was not impressed. I would take all his dishes and make them better."

With money tight hotel marketing consortium the Leading Hotels of the World has come up with a timely way to mark its 80th birthday.

Today at 1pm UK time it will be offering hotel rooms at a credit crunch friendly $19.28 (£10.39 in real money) to mark its foundation as a business, you've guessed it, in 1928.

The offer, subject to availability and open for 80 minutes only, means 61 European hotels are on offer including the Baglioni and Langham in London as well as Gleaneagles. So as they say, don't delay.

Visit www.lhw.com/1928 for more.

Langham sets sights on rapid international expansion>>

Have you ever fancied having a a hotel all to yourself? Or does the prospect of spending time all alone in a big hotel remind you too much of The Shining and Jack Nicholson coming at you with an axe screaming "Here's Johnny!!"?

Today I came across some rather unique hotels, I say hotels rather loosely, because these are one-room hotels from across the world.

You can stay in at Kokopelli's Cave, a 65-million-year-old sandstone cave in New Mexico or in fishing hut (which looks like a shed on water) floating on Lake Malaren in Sweden.

Brings an entirely new meaning to spending time alone...

Sometimes people's timing is so awful and events simply perverse that you have to smile at their misfortune (yes, I am evil).

Take Gordon Brown for example. Struggles to get the top job from Tony "Cheshire Cat" Blair and then steps into his shoes just as capitalism hits the buffers. Tough break that.

Also the fella that moved to the UK from France the weekend that the Channel Tunnel went up in smoke only to arrive for his new job at Lehman Brothers on the day it went under, is probably rightly thinking his bad luck for the next decade is out of the way.

So hats off to the staff at City Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway in Charles Street, Milford Haven, who tried to sell knock-off DVDs to a Trading Standards Officer (TSO), there to collect a meal.

Following an investigation the takeway's owners were fined and after the TSO mentioned the case to a buddy at the UK Borders Agency, they raided the place and six illegal workers are now awaiting deportation to China. No doubt the fine for that one is in the post. Top marks for effort.

Economic turmoil to slow hotel industry growth>>

Lehman Brothers Collapse is bad news for Compass Group>>

Last week the Royal Lancaster hotel hosted its third annual "Green Day".

Rather than a tribute to the alternative American rock band of the same name the day instead involved a series of events to increase awareness of the luxury hotel's green polices amongst staff and suppliers.

Funnily enough, this October see's the return of Caterer's own annual Green Month full of useful tips and features on how to cut your energy use and save money while helping the environment.

It all starts on 2 October with top environmental hotelier Vanessa Scott checking out three properties and providing advice.

There's also exlcusive Caterer research on the progress the hospitality industry has made to date. And don't forget you can keep up-to-date as the month progresses and read previous articles in our Green Zone.

A to Z of going green>>

Premier Inn to launch its first Green hotel>>

Compass Group gains Marine Stewardship Certification>>

You know you're living in tough times when you can't even go on holiday without having to fear that half way through your trip your travel company may collapse and you could end up stranded on some sunny island in Greece.

What's worse, of course, is when your travel company goes bust before you've even left for your week off and you're stuck somewhere rainy, grey and cold, with the dream of sunshine and a tan snatched away from you.

Sound familiar? Then you may be one of the thousands of travellers who had their holiday ruined by the collapse of XL Leisure Group last week. But don't despair, there's hope yet as the Real Greek restaurant chain is putting a smile back on people's faces by offering all those poor sods who had their holidays ruined a little treat.

Yes stranded holidaymakers, there's a light at the end of the tunnel: if you can prove your trip to Greece was cancelled make your way to one of the Real Greek restaurants in London and claim your free meal to the value of up to £15 before 30 September.

It may not be quite the same as a week of lying on a sandy beach sipping pina coladas but hey - every little helps, right?!?

Since its opening in July 2007, Caterer has followed the progress of Restaurant Alimentum in Cambridge as part of the magazine's Adopted Business series.

It seems the hard work of owner John Hudgell and his team has paid off and the restaurant has this month been awarded a 3 Rosette quality accreditation by the AA.

Commenting on the award, a proud John Hudgell said "We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award, which is testament to the hard work of Head Chef David Williams and his team.  To receive such an important award in our first 14 months is truly amazing."

But before Hudgell sets his sights on attaining his first Michelin Star he could be in line for a further award to recognise his concern for animal welfare at the restaurant.

The RSPCA Good Business Awards takes place at London's National History Museum on the 9th October and Alimentum is on the short list.

The newspapers are full of the demise of investment bank Lehman Brothers, which went into administration in the UK on Monday after its US parent applied for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The knock-on effect is expected to be widespread, with share prices already tumbling and the effects of the credit crunch set to intensify.

The news is also a blow for Restaurant Associates, the fine dining arm of Compass Group, which ran the catering at Lehman's European HQ in London's Canary Wharf.

As well as feeding many of the 5,000 staff, RA provided events and fine dining catering at the rather swanky office block.

RA this morning confirmed to Caterer that it is in discussions with Lehman about the contract.