The saying goes that London’s streets are paved with gold, but it seems the soil in England’s Southern counties have the golden touch too. Southern England is fast becoming the home of sparkling success, following another record year at the International Wine Challenge 2014. Five sparkling wines from vineyards in Sussex, Kent and Cornwall received Gold medals at the … [Read more...]
Wetherspoon like-for-likes up 6.2% in Q3
J D Wetherspoon has released its Interim Management Statement for the period up to 6 May 2014, incorporating the 13-week period to 27 April 2014, expressing caution about the exact outcome of the final quarter, but anticipating a reasonable outcome for the year. The Statement reads: Current trading For the 13 weeks to 27 April 2014, like-for-like sales increased by 6.2%, … [Read more...]
Pizza Express serves halal chicken in all UK restaurants
Today’s edition (7 May) of The Sun newspaper devotes its front page to the ‘exposure’ of Pizza Express serving only halal chicken in its UK restaurants – but without publicising the fact to its customers. Apparently Pizza Express decided to serve chicken that is killed in line with Islamic law after feedback from Muslim customers, and no doubt the practicalities and cost of … [Read more...]
Cyrus Todiwala is Food Personality of the Year
BBC Radio 4 has announced the winners of the Food and Farming Awards 2014, announced in two special programmes on Radio 4: The Food Programme, Sunday 4 May at 12.30pm, and The BBC Food And Farming Awards 2014 on Monday 5 May at 3pm. Food Personality of the Year: Cyrus Todiwala Celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala was named Food Personality of the Year. The judges said: “Cyrus is … [Read more...]
JUST EAT: wet weather and technology drive growth
JUST EAT which launched recently on the stock market and operates the world’s largest online marketplace for takeaway delivery, has issued its first Interim Management Statement since the float. JUST EAT states that its strong financial performance has continued since 31 December 2013, with trading slightly ahead of management expectations in part as a result of the … [Read more...]