Asparagus season: How to cook it like a pro March 22, 2023 Asparagus season came nine weeks early this year, so now is a great time to get stuck into one of the great British veggies. This simple but delicious recipe from Paul Ainsworth brings out the best in the asparagus and will be a sure-fire hit if you serve it for guests. Wye Valley Asparagus, Seaweed [...]
Forget the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race: Here’s the Wine Race March 22, 2023 The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge has been a tradition since 1829 when two friends challenged each other to a race on Henley-on-Thames. But as Oxbridge’s sporting elite works up a sweat through 4.2 miles of hard rowing, I shall be enjoying the Oxford vs Cambridge of wine. Rooting for Oxford are Stephen and [...]
Rail strikes: Pubs and bars breathe sigh of relief – but walkouts are still planned March 21, 2023 London’s hospitality sector has welcomed RMT trade members’ vote to accept a pay offer from Network Rail, after the strikes and disruptions cost restaurant and pub business up to £3bn. Kate Nicholls, chief executive at UKHospitality, described the decision as “encouraging news” for hospitality businesses. She said: “There’s plenty still to be done, of course, [...]
Brexit: Hospitality sector slams Government’s decision to exclude overseas restaurant and bar workers in shortage occupancy lists March 17, 2023 Hospitality figures have described the government’s decision to not include overseas restaurant and bar workers in its shortage occupation list as “disappointing” as the sector claims that ongoing labour shortages are “crippling” businesses. “Ongoing labour shortages are crippling hospitality businesses, forcing them to reduce their hours and costing the industry billions in lost trade,” Kate [...]
No strike? Still no service! Wednesday’s Tube walkout bleeds into Thursday as rail action cripples London commuter belt March 16, 2023 London commuters vented their anger as Wednesday’s Underground strike continued to cause disruption throughout Thursday morning. People going to work faced fresh difficulties this morning following yesterday’s industrial action by RMT and Aslef union workers, with stations closed up until 7am, as the service was regulated.. As of Thursday at midday, none of the Bakerloo, [...]
Checking into Prince William and Kate’s getaway, Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives March 16, 2023 THE HOLIDAY: Over-water villas and white sand beaches? Meh, I’ve heard it all before. The Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives can feel so clichéd, it takes a seriously swish hotel to stand out from the rest. Enter Cheval Blanc Randheli, a very French take on the postcard-pristine tropical idyll, owned by luxury goods house [...]
Deliveroo shares slide as £1.9bn reported revenue fails to bolster market confidence in food delivery favourite March 16, 2023 Deliveroo shares have continued to pedal downwards this morning as investors struggle to regain confidence in the brand following its decision to slash some 350 job roles and disastrous IPO listing. It comes as the food delivery group, which has seen its share price fall consecutively over the past 12 months due to tough market [...]
Rail strikes: Hospitality says it has lost £3bn as it becomes ‘collateral damage’ in rail dispute March 16, 2023 London retail and hospitality bodies have said that the sector is “suffering” due to ongoing tube strikes as the disruptions continue to take a large bite out of the sector’s earnings. As Tube and rail strikes grind London to a halt this week, trade body UKHospitality has claimed that pub and restaurant businesses are expected [...]
London brought to a standstill as tube strike closes entire network and RMT lock horns with Sadiq Khan March 15, 2023 A strike by London Underground drivers has closed the entire network. Transport for London’s website shows no services are running on any Tube lines. The Docklands Light Railway and Elizabeth line are part-suspended because of the industrial action. Drivers in Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walked out in a dispute over [...]
Wagamama owner TRG to close 35 locations as cost of living crisis digs into profits March 8, 2023 The Wagamama owner said that it will shutter some 35 “loss making” locations taking its portfolio from 166 restaurants down to 75-85 due to a “tough macro-environment,” which has deterred customers from eating out.