The Chaophraya group of restaurants has been slowly growing across the North of England since 2004, leading the way in Thai fine dining in the UK, and diversifying into a family of brands including ChaoBaby, Palm Sugar and Yee Rah. Chaophraya focuses on Thai fine dining, ChaoBaby is a Thai banquet concept replicating the feel of a Bangkok street market, Yee Rah`s concept … [Read more...]
The Orchid secrets to festive success
Only 69 days to go but Orchid’s Managers are already celebrating Christmas, with bookings up 10% on last year. How have they achieved this, and what can others learn from Orchid? The increase is driven by a combination of factors, starting with business-wide advanced planning that sees Christmas begin in May with menu ‘cook offs’, training and tasting for staff, and a … [Read more...]
High taxes ineffective in reducing alcohol consumption
A new paper from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Drinking in the Shadow Economy, demonstrates how illicit alcohol consumption is becoming a permanent and growing problem due to excessive taxation – losing the Treasury as much as £1.2 billion a year in tax revenue. Even more significantly, the paper suggests that making alcohol more expensive is not an effective way … [Read more...]
Gold Service Scholarship launched for front of house service
A unique scholarship has been launched to encourage young people to make a professional career in front of house hospitality. The Gold Service Scholarship is sponsored by BaxterStorey – the UK’s largest independent food service provider – and has been designed to help develop the skills of aspiring individuals in the restaurant service industry. The competition to … [Read more...]
Plans for Smithfield Quarter to include multiple restaurant units
Henderson Global Investors has unveiled proposals for Smithfield Quarter in London, regenerating the former General Market, Fish Market and Red House buildings, as well as the original engine house. Henderson has been working closely with English Heritage and the planners at the City of London Corporation on the potential options for the buildings since 2010 and the … [Read more...]