This Veganuary, I’m trusting people to eat what they want January 10, 2020 Welcome to January, the month of new year’s resolutions. Dietary transformation has always been central to the post-Christmas madness — eating “better” is probably the most cliched resolution there is. But whereas this used to be framed primarily in terms of weight loss, with fads like intermittent fasting and protein shakes taking centre stage, in [...]
Weekly Grill: Chris Leach, chef founder of Manteca, on rediscovering bananas and being interrupted by Ross from Friends January 9, 2020 Who are you and what do you do? My name is Chris Leach, and I’m chef founder of Manteca, a new restaurant on Great Marlborough Street, which I’m opening alongside David Carter of Smokestak. We’ve just finished a residency at 10 Heddon Street, so Manteca will be an evolvement of that. Tell us about Manteca Manteca [...]
Chilango CVA: Creditors back rescue plan for struggling burrito chain January 6, 2020 Chilango’s creditors and shareholders have backed a rescue package to keep the struggling Mexican restaurant chain afloat, paving the way for the company to slash rents and exit some leases. Chilango launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in early December, which was first reported by City A.M., in a bid to avoid administration. Read more: [...]
Survive a Tier 4 January with these 34 amazing lockdown delivery kits January 1, 2020 With more lockdowns annoucned up and down the country, January is set to be a rather miserable time, especially for those of us who are gastronomically-inclined. Thankfully, you can kill two birds with one stone – supporting your favourite chefs and getting your fix of restaurant-quality food – by ordering some of these amazing home [...]
Chilango CVA: investors back burrito bond bailout measures December 31, 2019 Investors who ploughed £5.8m into Chilango’s burrito bonds are set to have their investments converted into shares as the struggling Mexican chain fights to stay afloat. Under company voluntary agreement proposals (CVA) launched earlier this month, shareholders were offered the choice between cashing out bondholders’ investments at a rate of 10p per pound or transferring [...]
Amazon’s Deliveroo investment could cause higher prices, says CMA December 27, 2019 Amazon and Deliveroo are the subject of an in-depth probe by competition authorities into the e-commerce giant’s investment in the food delivery firm. Neither company offered undertakings in response to concerns aired by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Read more: CMA puts brakes on Amazon’s Deliveroo investment The CMA said earlier this month that [...]
Japan – with kids? Believe it or not, it works December 18, 2019 The looks of incomprehension became commonplace, from colleagues, friends, neighbours and, most severely, my mother-in-law. “You’re taking her… to Japan?” they asked, through a variety of similar rhetorical questions. A trip to Japan should surprise no one, these days. The island state is undergoing an eye-watering boom in tourism, with visitor numbers soaring from 13m [...]
String of London restaurants go paperless with City fintech startup Flux December 18, 2019 A number of London hot spots have taken a step towards going paperless, in a tie-up with digital receipts startup Flux. Flux has today signed partnership agreements with Japan Centre, Sakagura and Boparan Restaurant Group, which owns Giraffe, Ed’s Easy Diner and Slim Chickens. The deal means visitors who bank with Monzo or Starling, as [...]
Franco Manca expansion slices owner’s profits in half December 16, 2019 Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore today revealed that profits halved in the six months ending in September despite higher revenue as it continues to expand. The restaurant chain owner saw profit before tax sliced in half from £1.5m last year to just £743,000 in its latest half-year as it poured money into opening six new [...]
Which wines to drink with Christmas lunch December 16, 2019 City A.M.’s wine expert spends a fantasy Christmas budget And so, dear reader, the season of goodwill and merriment is upon us once again. Offices are full of elves distributing secret Santa details to colleagues, and restaurants are rammed with office workers guzzling warm chardonnay and leaden reds from obscure parts of the planet. The [...]