Chloe Lancaster and Fu Jian Ting were named as joint winners of the Purple Umbrella Award at a high-profile ceremony held at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London last Friday evening. Apprentices Lancaster and Ting were presented with the major titles, alongside Harry Murray MBE, Chairman, Lucknam Park, who received a special award for his own contribution to the development of … [Read more...]
The Roux Scholarship 2020 regional finalists announced
As the regional finalists for the Roux Scholarship 2020 are announced, chairmen Alain Roux and Michel Roux Jr are delighted that a new generation of chefs are taking part, having submitted recipes that demonstrate a very high level of talent. In this year’s competition, ten of the 18 regional finalists are first-time applicants and the chefs come from as far south as Jersey and … [Read more...]
Marco Pierre White becomes figurehead of charitable foundation
Marco Pierre White is to become the figurehead of a new charitable foundation that will help and support good causes within the communities where restaurants operate under his name. Called the Black and White Foundation, the organisation is now searching for what it plans will be a long line of UK-based beneficiaries which will benefit from a grant to support their … [Read more...]
Five minutes with… Simon Esner
From entering the world of hospitality and catering at the tender age of 14 as a kitchen porter, to becoming a director and shareholder of one of our industry’s biggest names, Westbury Street Holdings, is quite some journey. I sat down with Simon Esner last week to gain insights into that journey and some of the lessons learned along the way. When you meet Simon one thing is … [Read more...]
Ascot pub, restaurant and hotel celebrates consistency from Rational
The Royal Foresters is a pub, restaurant and hotel in Ascot, owned by Oakman Inns, a family owned group with 25 venues. It purchased the Royal Foresters in 2016 and began a modernisation programme soon after, which saw the construction of a modern, stylish restaurant attached to the sympathetically restored Victorian bar. Ross Pike, Oakman Inn’s chef director, explains the … [Read more...]