The Editor's Hospitality Blog

I met pioneering restaurant critic Egon Ronay last week, who was typically full of opinions on what British chefs and restaurateurs are doing well and not so well.

Egon told me one story, in particular, that demonstrated the way the quality of service has improved in foodservice since he came to the UK from Hungary shortly after the Second World War.

Arriving at London's Victoria Station in need of something hot and wet, he made for a buffet on the concourse and ordered a cuppa. When his tea arrived, Egon asked (impeccably politely, no doubt) for sugar, and was pointed towards a table across the room. There was the sugar bowl - but where were the spoons? The server pointed again, and this time Egon noticed a single, wet spoon, tied to a piece of string and swinging over the table ...

Imagine the money Starbucks and their high street competitors could save on wooden stirrers, if they opted for the spoon-on-a-string option.

Guests have been evacuated from The De Vere Grand Hotel in Brighton this evening, following a fire on an upper floor.

According to the BBC news website, the fire brigade was called around 8pm, after smoke was spotted billowing above the hotel. Guests have been evacuated to Brighton's Hilton Metropole Hotel.

The Grand was the target of an IRA bomb attack during the 1984 Conservative Party Conference. The blast killed five people.

No guests were hurt in the fire that broke out last night at Brighton's Grand Hotel, spurring the local police chief to praise the hotel's staff for their calmness.According to the BBC's online news service, Sussex's police Chief Inspector said, "The hotel staff have well-practised drills. They carried out a very quick evacuation."

This will be considerable consolation to general manager, Jeremy Rata, as he assesses the damage done to the property and begins the clean-up operation.

Political spin supremo Alistair Campbell last night urged the hospitality industry to speak with a single voice when lobbying government.

Speaking at the Arena Lecture at London's Intercontinental Hotel, the former director of communications and strategy to Tony Blair admitted he had been surprised to discover the size and scale of the industry while researching his speech. Given the range of social and economic issues facing hospitality operators, he said, hospitality has an opportunity to make an impact on government.

"You've got a right to make your voice heard", he added.

Campbell told guests that effective political lobbying depends upon understanding government's bigger picture and presenting clearly on the "big points where you've got to be heard".

The event saw 3663's Andy Kemp step down as Chairman of Arena. He is succeeded by Mat Baker of P&G Professional.