Chester Boyd, which supplies City dining for many of London’s world-famous Livery Halls, has been awarded a five year contract to supply a full range of catering services to Stationers’ Hall, starting in September 2012. It is the tenth London Livery Hall to join the Chester Boyd portfolio, joining Brewers’, Butchers’ Coopers’ and Goldsmiths’ Halls, among others, in choosing … [Read more...]
London Restaurant Festival 2012 – open for bookings!
The Festival (1 – 15 October) has announced that festival menus are open for bookings. Hundreds of restaurants are already signed up to offer Festival Menus across the capital during the two-week citywide celebration of food and drink. The Gourmet Odyssey Festival favourite The Gourmet Odyssey returns with a fresh new spin for 2012. Themed to the style of restaurants this … [Read more...]
Lunch sales set to outperform the sector, says Horizons
The UK’s lunch market looks set to grow over the next 12 months as consumers increasingly eat out wherever they are, expect a wide choice of eating out options, but often want something quick, cheap and easy-to-eat. Emma Read, director of marketing and business development with foodservice analyst Horizons, predicts that the lunch market, already worth £14.9bn, will occupy a … [Read more...]
Record Number of Graduates in Craft Guild’s Ultimate Skills Test
A record number of chefs have passed the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards in the 10th year since the scheme designed to test the practical skills of young working chefs was launched. Five out of 12 candidates scored the 85 percent needed to make the grade, with this year’s Highest Graduate Achiever receiving the top ever score in the awards’ history from a tough judging … [Read more...]
Whitbread delivers 14.8% sales growth
Whitbread PLC, the UK's largest hotel and restaurant group, has reported its trading performance to 16 August 2012 is showing good sales growth with total sales up 14.8% in the second quarter with brands outperforming the tough economic climate, with like for like sales growth of 4.2% and continued expansion at Costa and Premier Inn. Highlights from Andy Harrison, … [Read more...]