Fifteen more speakers and panellists will present at the British Hospitality and Tourism Summit on 11 June 2013, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) announced today. The biggest event of the Hospitality and Tourism industry calendar will focus on prospects for the future growth of the industry. The newly announced speakers and panellists now include: Alastair Storey, … [Read more...]
Heathrow presents new challenge for John Torode and Gregg Wallace
Masterchef’s John Torode and Gregg Wallace have been tasked with eating their way around the UK’s only hub airport in 80 plates, and to set Heathrow a six-month challenge to improve the airport dining experience. The duo – famous for their straight-talking approach to all things culinary – were given access to all areas of the airport to sip, sample and savour dishes from … [Read more...]
Soaring food costs: restaurants to respond to the challenge
In the last six months, food prices have overtaken rent and rates in the list of major overheads facing UK restaurants, and now come second only to staff wages, finds the fourth Livebookings European Dining Index. The Index, based on interviews with 200 UK restaurants and supported by industry data, reveals that three quarters (74%) of restaurants cite food costs as the … [Read more...]
Luke Johnson’s next growth investment?
The Sunday Times reports that Luke Johnson’s Risk Capital investment organisation is in talks to take a share in Red Hot World Buffet. Johnson is the former chairman of Pizza Express who recently sold his stake in Giraffe for a substantial profit when Tesco acquired the restaurant chain. Red Hot World Buffet was founded in 2004 by Helen and Parmjit Dhaliwal, and now has 7 … [Read more...]
First ever gluten-free range from PizzaExpress
PizzaExpress is launching its first gluten-free menu, welcoming back customers who struggle to eat out with first-rate, gluten-free pizza bases, starters, desserts, options for children and a refreshing, gluten-free beer. For the 1 in 100 people across the UK with coeliac disease, and those with gluten-intolerances, the range will carry Coeliac UK’s NGCI accreditation from 30 … [Read more...]