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Struggling sector: Hospitality tackles a perfect storm (Credit: Getty/Art Event ET)

Spiralling food costs pack pressure on hospitality

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Ongoing hikes in food and drinks prices are piling the pressure on hospitality operators, as supply chain fragility continues to hit the industry hard, a new report from Fourth has revealed.

Menu planning: Lynx Purchasing's Market Insight offers insight into food prices

Quality British food ‘key’ to menu success

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

High quality produce with a focus on the best of British is a key chance for hospitality businesses to thrive beyond the cost-of-living crisis, according to hospitality buying specialist Lynx Purchasing.

On the scene: Simon King (left) and Matt Larcombe (right) took the Victoria on in 2021

The secrets behind the Victoria, Oxshott

By Nikkie Thatcher

Described as a quintessential British experience, the Victoria Oxshott is a neighbourhood gastropub, set in the heart of its Surrey community, with a stellar food and drink offer.

Forecasted growth: Lumina data shows the UK eating and drinking out market could grow 4.6% this year (Credit:Getty/sturti)

Eating out market to grow 4.6% in 2023

By Rebecca Weller

The eating out market has been predicted to grow by 4.6% during 2023, reaching a total value of £95.2bn, figures from Lumina Intelligence have revealed.

Eating and Drinking Out Panel: consumers visiting pubs less and seeking inexpensive meal options (Credit: Getty/Henrik Sorensen)

Pub visits in year-on-year decline

By Rebecca Weller

Pub and bar occasions showed a 1.2 percentage point year-on-year decrease in the four-weeks to Sunday 16 April, the latest data from Lumina Intelligence has revealed.

Making a meal of it: Pubs torn on the ethics of adults ordering kid's food (credit: Getty/Rawpixel)

Should adults be able to order from the kids' menu?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Operators and customers have debated whether adults should be able to order from the children’s menu: some slam the behaviour as unacceptable, with others viewing it as no big deal.

Foodie debate: Many said pubs had every right to charge for added items (credit: Getty/ The Good Brigade)

40% of pubs charge for added items

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Chefs are torn on whether pubs should charge for added items: gravy on a roast dinner, or butter on a cheeseboard, for some it's a ‘no brainer’, but others price accordingly to cover the added cost.

Sharp drop: delivery and takeaway sales in decline as consumers switch back to in-venue visits (Credit: Getty/Dimensions)

Delivery and takeaway sales in decline

By Rebecca Weller

In-venue sales show “modest” increases as more consumers swap at-home ordering for going out, the latest Home Tacker from CGA by NIQ has revealed.

Freebies or fair game? Chef hits out at guest complaint (credit: Getty/ libin jose)

Do you charge for extra items?

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

MasterChef star Simon Wood has sparked a debate after sharing a diner’s complaint that they were charged for extra butter on a cheeseboard.

Don't cry over spilt milk: Suppliers drop prices (Getty/ Monty Rakusen)

Wholesale suppliers drop milk prices

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Some wholesale suppliers have slashed milk prices by 10% after milk production was better than expected, according to Prestige Purchasing.

Rising costs: the oils and fats category is seeing 37% inflation year on year (image: Getty/Zero Creatives)

‘No end in sight for sustained inflation’

By Nikkie Thatcher

Inflation for food marginally eased in February this year but is still above 20%, signalling the need for urgent intervention to save businesses, it has been warned.

Shoot for the stars: Sector celebrated in Michelin Guide

21 pubs now have Michelin stars

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

A grand total of 21 pubs now have Michelin Stars, it was revealed in the 2023 Michelin Guide at a ceremony on Monday (27 March).

BigHospitality rebranded as Restaurant

BigHospitality rebrands as Restaurant

By Restaurant

Daily news website BigHospitality has today (Tuesday 28 March) unveiled its new identity as Restaurant, which is more than a nod to the hugely popular Restaurant magazine adored by chefs and restaurateurs across the UK.

Celebrating the sector: Four pubs bag top accolades (credit: Michelin Guide)

Four pubs score Bib Gourmands

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Four gastropubs were among the 20 eateries awarded Bib Gourmands by the Michelin Guide today (Wednesday 22 March).

Batter be good: Pubs capitalise on Shrove Tuesday (Getty/Eleganza)

Pubs sweeten the deal for Pancake Day

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Quizzes, eating challenges and charity events are just a few ways pubs are celebrating Pancake Day today (Tuesday 21 February).

Unanimous verdict: Mat Follas (pictured) was crowned winner of the 2023 Great Sausage Roll Off

Great Sausage Roll Off 2023 winner revealed

By Rebecca Weller

Previous Masterchef winner Mat Follas, from Bramble Restaurant in Sherborne, Dorset, has been crowned the winner of the 2023 Great Sausage Roll Off.

Food costs: 69% of businesses raised menu prices last year (Getty/ georgeclerk)

69% firms have hiked menu prices

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Rising food and supply costs are causing major issues for operators, but staffing shortages causing fewer problems than expected, new research has revealed.

Hard work and passion: Stosie Madi (pictured) shares secret to gastropub success

Secrets behind #1 Gastropubs success

By Rebecca Weller

Aspiring chefs need to cook for themselves and never for their ego, according to chef-patron of the 2023 number one Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Stosie Madi.

Injection of support: keeping hospitality prices low important to reduce inflation (Credit: Getty/Henrik Sorensen)

Gov support 'important' to reduce inflation

By Rebecca Weller

Current levels of food inflation “underline the importance” of Government investment in the hospitality sector, trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has stated.

Award winning: Brook House in Fulham was presented with the Front of House Team of the Year accolade at this year’s prestigious event

Top 50 Gastropubs

Brook House wins top service award

By Nikkie Thatcher

Brook House in Fulham, west London was presented with the Front of House Team of the Year Award at the 2023 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs.

Business recognition: the Oarsman impressed the judges with its attention to detail

Top 50 Gastropubs

The Oarsman named Newcomer of the Year

By Nikkie Thatcher

Marlow-based bistropub and wine bar the Oarsman was awarded the title of Newcomer of the Year at the 2023 Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs.

Prices hikes for customers inevitable: food inflation is almost a quarter higher than a year ago (credit: Getty/Sigrid Gombert)

Food inflation hits record high 24% at year end

By Gary Lloyd

The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) ended 2022 at record highs, with the food basket almost one quarter higher than December 2021 but including drinks, it ended slightly lower at 22.9%.

Top spot: this year's number one Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub is the Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire

Top 50 Gastropubs

New number one Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub

By Nikkie Thatcher

The 2023 number one Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub is the Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire, a prestigious ceremony revealed on Monday 23 January.

Celebrating the sector: 10 pubs crowned in list of top UK restaurants

1 in 10 of UK’s top restaurants are pubs

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Ten gastropubs have been credited in SquareMeal’s list of the UK’s best 100 restaurants, heralding from Kent, to Norfolk to Northern Ireland.

Former champion: 2020 Great Sausage Roll Off winner Alan Chilton

Judging panel for Great Sausage Roll Off revealed

By Nikkie Thatcher

The judges for this year’s Great Sausage Roll Off have been unveiled for the competition, which is taking place on Wednesday 8 February at the Red Lion in Barnes, south London.

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