Table Talk

office cafeteria

aiju — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:35:37 GMT

Hi everyone i am new to this forum as i have just joined it. I have done Hotel Mgt and am about to take charge of office cafeteria in my organisation. The office cafeteria i am taking over is running in an old style without any professional touch and i have been brought in with expectations that i would make things better out there. So in this regard i request you all to send me your valuable suggestions in this regard so that i can make my office cafeteria worth by bring in improvements which would be visible to the management. So please contribute and suggest ways for improvement......

Hope to hear from you all

Regards

Creating a splash online

Mcmarketing — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:00:40 GMT

I am a new kid on the block, working for a small catering equipment business. What can I do online to make a noise online. I am just looking for some ideas. My main aim is to increase traffic to the website which is Marshallcatering.co.uk btw. A little plug there! We are on the start of establishing an online presence and creating a new website any help regarding the above topics would be fantastic. I know you industry insiders have a lot of knowledge so help a newbie

next big thing?

concepts — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:47:17 GMT

I came across this Product while in Europe seems very big on the mainland and is a genius product for those Outdoor Summer Events

http://www.youtube.com/user/StackCup

Interested to here peoples views on whether its as good as I think

Asian Catering Services

Nicholas Cage — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 07:48:32 GMT

Hey do you any Asian cater in UK(London). If yes then please provide me with the details.

Football Stadium Hotels

BirdJG — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:05:36 GMT

Hi,

I am currently working on a study regarding Hotels within Football Stadiums, with emphasis on the viability of hotels within these structures and the influences on the success of these hotel e.g. location, team success, target market group.

I am analysing six current stadiums which have hotels: Chelsea, West Ham, Bolton, Reading, Coventry, MK Dons. I am also looking to recommend new locations for football stadium hotels within England.

I would like to invite you to express your opinion on any of the matters suggested above, or provide any information you have on this topic.

Thanks for your time

Has fine dining had its chips?

neil_g — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:15:53 GMT

I have had two separate conversations on two different days with two different people - one a restaurant operator and one a menu development consultant. And both of them said the same thing: fine dining is on its way out.

That's not to say that it will die out completely, but they think that there will be fewer and fewer restaurants offering what you would traditionally consider the formal fine dining experience to be. Customers, they both told me, want a much more informal experience, even at the high end of the market. Hotels in particular, said one, are guilty of not "getting" this point, and many still attempt to offer a stiff and anachronistic restaurant experience that doesn't fit with the expectations of customers today.

Do they have a point? Or has the death of fine dining been exaggerated?

How do you attract women to your business?

neil_g — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:07:25 GMT

This week on pages 26, 27 and 28 (Caterer & Hotelkeeper 7-13 May 2010), Caterer looked at how to attract more women to your pub. As part of that, we offered a top 10 female-friendly tips, which are:

1 A warm greeting and send-off goes a long way
2 Cleanliness is key, particularly in the loos
3 Soft drinks aren’t just for children, stock some high-end products such as fresh juice
4 Good value (not cheap) food and drink will get women in daily
5 Keep the scheme evolving and fresh
– ie, change the cushions or rotate artwork
6 Local provenance will encourage more purchases
7 Flexible furniture for groups of ladies or mums with prams
8 Staff should be smart, even if it’s just matching branded polo shirts
9 Soft furnishings such as cushions and curtains to soften the scheme and relax into
10 Ensure your bar looks different at each stage of the trading day – eg, a Bloody Mary tray alongside cereal and pastries on the bar in the morning
Design tips were provided by Melony
Spencer from design firm Spencer Swinden www.spencerswinden.com

But did we miss anything? Has anything worked for you that isn't on this list? Perhaps you tried something you didn't think would work but turned out to be a real hit, or vice versa.

TripAdvisor top 10 pub hotels

neil_g — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:37:39 GMT

TripAdvisor are at it again - they've released a list of the 'top 10' real ale pubs with rooms around Britain. Worthwhile exercise, or too prone to false ratings to be plausible?

http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2009/10/09/330333/TripAdvisor-influences-163500m-of-corporate-hotel.htm

renting a pub kitchen

cook1 — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:11:45 GMT

Hi,Can anyone inform me of how much it would cost to rent a pub kitchen,thank you.

Would you support a minimum price? Does the Government’s “below cost” ban go far enough?

neil_g — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:39:18 GMT

The minimum price issue doesn't ever seem to go away, with doctors calling for a 50p per unit minimum price this week.

They also took the time to rubbish the Government's proposals to "ban" the sale of alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT saying it was "inconsequential" - a view seemingly confirmed by a recent Guardian investigation.

There look to be certain benefits to the on-trade of a setting a minimum price for alcohol, so long as the price set accurately reflects the cost of production and duty. But do you support the idea? What price would you want to see set?

Or maybe you think the Government should just leave well alone? I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

Booze nonsense

boggler — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:42:55 GMT

I'm agog at this stuff about Professor Nutt saying alcohol is more harmful than hard drugs like heroin. Even more annoyed that national newspapers are reproducing his rubbish illustrated with photos of real ale. Tell you what, next time I go down the pub I'll have a pint of Doom Bar and my mate can bring his crack pipe. We'll see pretty soon who does themselves and others the most harm.

Ridiculous.

SMOKING BAN: It's SNOW time to be breaking the law, is it?

Janie — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:47:35 GMT

I just spotted a tweet by @thepubgeek that said there's a pub in St Leonard's and a bar in Hastings that have been allowing smoking inside over the last couple of days. While I completely sympathise with smokers not wanting to get their hands cold while they feed their habit, Is it really wise for businesses to risk breaking the law to be hospitable?

Hotels In Mumbai

vickyjon69 — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:53:42 GMT

Ramee Guestline Hotel - Juhu is a delightful boutique hotel conveniently located in the heart of Mumbai's famous Juhu beach area, a short drive from both the airports and the railway station. Just 100 meters from Juhu beach and within easy reach of Mumbai's new commercial and entertainment centre.

Will the latest inquiry into pubcos change anything?

neil_g — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:30:51 GMT

With the formal re-opening of the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Committee inquiry into pubco power earlier this month, the spotlight is back on the tied model.

And once again, the Committee appears to be threatening statutory codes of practice for pubcos, among other measures, if they do not get their houses in order.

Of course, this isn't the first such inquiry we've had. There were was a report in 2004-05, another in 2008-09, a follow-up in 2009-10 and a further follow-up, also in 2009-10.

Will this one be any different? Will it achieve anything? Does it even need to achieve anything?

Watch out for James Wilmore's analysis and report from the All Parliamentary Save the Pub Group debate on the tie, which included submissions from Enterprise's chief operating officer Simon Townsend, and Punch's leased division managing director Roger Whiteside in next week's Caterer & Hotelkeeper (17 June 2011)

Cigarette machine ban - good or bad?

thegeorge — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:36:14 GMT

So, cigarette machines will be removed from pubs by October after a proposed Government ban was upheld by the court of appeal.

I've seen differing opinions on this one. Some have suggested that it is the nanny state going too far.

Other seems to believe that the ban, whether it restricts freedoms or not, is a good thing especially seeing as the machines could allow children to buy cigarettes under age.

I can see both sides but I have to say I don't think the ban is a bad thing. I don't think it is realistic that children could buy from the machines without being spotted, but there is still a small risk. Enough of a risk that I have always refused to install one. I also think those machines put temptation in the way of ex-smokers who, because they've had a drink or two, may not be at their most rational.

What's the view out there on Table Talk?

What makes a good local pub?

Janie — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:00:08 GMT

What makes a good local pub?

I ask because I went to the Gowlett in Dulwich last night, with friends who have been many times before.

They declared it to be an excellent 'local', one of the best you can get.

What do you look for in a a good local?

Adding a Spa Facility will increase your profits...

Gentle Touch — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 16:01:03 GMT

If you do not have a Spa annexed to your hotel you are missing a vital income stream.

Offering treatments to list of facilities will attract guests who may otherwise book elsewhere, it will also increase footfall from local residents, and could increase your star rating.

Can you afford not to offer this facility in 2013?

www.a-gentle-touch.co.uk

Have you bought or sold a pub this year?

neil_g — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:50:14 GMT

The latest survey on pub prices from Fleurets shows that sales of "bottom end" freeholds, offloaded by major pubcos, are still driving the property market, while sales of freehold freehouses with accounts are still few and far between.

The national average sale prices for 2010 were:

Bottom end freehold: £193,198

Freehold freehouse: £430,620

Leasehold: £40,421

Have you bought or sold a pub in the past year? How did you find the experience? Was there much on the market that suited your needs and budget?

HOTEL INDUSRTY TODAY

PESCO — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:49:22 GMT

What is the biggest challenge facing the Hospitality industry?

Where to Book a Meeting Room?

tomgeorge — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:40:05 GMT

Many hotels are offering the services of meeting venues so that their guests can stay there and can have their meeting as well. They do not need to travel to attend their meeting. These venues are commonly booked by business people for their business meetings and trips. This is the reason for which hotels are booked up on week days.

Helping pubs to survive and thrive

ChrisJ — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:39:47 GMT

The People 1st Training Company and Exemplas are running a series of business Bootcamps for owners and managers of pubs, clubs and bars who are new to the industry and are looking for insider tips and advice to help grow their business.

With nearly 100 pubs still closing on a monthly basis, the Bootcamps provide an exceptional opportunity for new entrepreneurs to the industry to benefit from trade experts to help them overcome the challenges inherent in running a licensed outlet and to develop the skills to sustain a successful business.

Supported by both the British Beer and Pub Association, and the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping), the first Bootcamp will be held from 7-9 November in Moorgate, London. The Bootcamps are sponsored by Royal Bank Scotland / NatWest and therefore the cost to attend is only £399 plus VAT, which includes first year membership to the BII.

For further information, or to register for the Bootcamps,visit: www.thebusinessbootcamp.org/exemplas.html

What makes a great cocktail?

Katherine — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:41:01 GMT

I've just seen on twitter that this week is London Cocktail Week.

What's the secret to making a great cocktail? What's your favourite cocktail and why?

My favourite has got to be the Lycee martini I was very lucky to have at the Swissotel The Stamford in Singapore and in London, I have had some pretty awesome ones at the bar at Galvin at Windows, Cool as a Cucumber springs to mind!

Yum, yum...

Front of House - share your thoughts

Katherine — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:07:01 GMT

If you have any issues affecting Front of House in your establishment, want tips and advice this is the place to be....

Hotel Catey winners in full

Katherine — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 10:49:54 GMT

Paul Gayler, executive chef de cuisine at London’s Lanesborough, was this evening presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the Hotel Industry Award at the 2012 Hotel Cateys.

Gayler joined the London hotel in 1991 as part of the opening team and some 21 years later, he still remains the driving force behind the culinary direction and success of the hotel’s food and beverage operation.

This year, in particular, has proved to be a significant one for Gayler as he was appointed MBE for services to the hospitality industry and charities at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours in June.

But it is perhaps his charitable work in recent years which has seen some of his greatest work. He is responsible along with his friends and colleagues in the industry for raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Chef for Heroes charity, which raised money for injured personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

The award was presented at the end of an evening of celebrations for the hotel industry, held at the Lancaster London hotel, which was attended by 750 guests.

Hotel Cateys 2012 Winners:

Food and Beverage Manager of the Year Award

Moses Solomon, food and beverage manager, Flemings Hotel, London

Online resources for hospitality trainees

Janie — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:19:52 GMT

I was recently forwarded an interesting link to a list of online resources for students of hospitality management.

It's a pretty comprehensive list of 50 blogs/websites broken down into sections, including hospitality leadership, ecotourism, restaurant management and hotel operations.

http://www.onlineschools.org/online-hospitality-management-schools/

Have you seen any other interesting resources that would support this list? Tell us here.