April 2009 Archives

A serial thief who has been stripping the lead off roofs across schools, churches and museums in the southeast of England has been jailed for one year. According to the Daily Mail, Tom Berge stole £100,000 worth of lead to fuel his "champagne lifestyle".

You could be forgiven for thinking Berge has been jetting around the world first class, supping bubbly in jacuzzis with page three girls and tumbling out of fancy clubs at dawn. In fact, his excesses were somewhat less glitzy.

According to the newspaper, "on one occasion he spent five nights at the Holiday Inn in nearby Sutton". Hardly in the George Best league ...

Despite a concerted effort from the pub industry - including warnings that the Treasury is actually losing out on tax revenue because of recent rises in beer tax - the chancellor has once again hit publicans with a 2% rise.

While there were accusations last year that the pub industry's lobbying ahead of the 2008 Budget was ineffective and not joined up, that is not something that can be thrown at the sector this time around.

The "Axe the Beer Tax, Save the Pub" campaign was thorough - including research of MPs, consumers as well as publicans - and high-profile, including a demonstration outside Parliament.

It just seems that alcohol is too easy a target for a chancellor already on the ropes over public debt, wrong estimates and various other recession related issues.

The BBPA is this afternoon warning that the latest tax rise signs a "death warrant" for the British pub, while the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers said the Budget proves the chancellor "doesn't give a XXXX" for British pubs.

It is just a shame that Darling hasn't managed to grasp the seriousness of the situation.

Let us know your thoughts.

It seems to Kitchen Rat that Hell's Kitchen this year is much more about celebrity squabbling than the cooking.

Last year we were impressed by the creative menu tackled by the celebrities but when dining there last night the meal left the Rat feeling uninspired although the individual elements were well executed.

It was Danielle's turn on the pass as our check was called and she either had a magic wand or a great deal of prep had been done in advance as our starters - asparagus and Hollandaise, potted shrimps, and two paté de foie gras - arrived almost before we ordered them.

The main courses followed swiftly and while the Rat's generous portion of lamb was nicely caramelised on the outside and pink on the inside, both it and the companions' veal came with just a large dollop of mash as an accompaniment - no greens in sight. Oh to have saved some of the asparagus from the first course.

KR was also shocked to find lamb sprinkled with cockles. One has heard of surf 'n' turf but that's taking it a bit far.  

We may be in recessionary times but people are still keen to sniff out a good business opportunity - even those that aren't really there.

On April Fool's Day, property agent Davis Coffer Lyons (DCL) "announced" that it had been instructed to roll out 1,000 new sites for a new edible insect group called 'Love Bug' that had been very successful in the States.

If alarm bells were not ringing about the name (or the number of sites), then the quote should really have given things away.

Brandon Elmon, head of agency acquisitions, said: "We definitely think this concept has legs and will fly. In five years' time, there will be swarms of them."

While a number of clients contacted DCL to commend the joke, a "substantial" number fell for it and were e-mailing for further details, such as size requirements and locations.

One property developer even suggested that the concept would be a perfect fit for a new complex it was building. A DCL agent quietly pointed out there was no such concept after all.

And, Kitchen Rat''s mole at DCL tells us, people are still ringing up and asking about it, despite this announcement on the company website.

Which begs the question - should someone actually create the concept?

If you're going to have a Lean & Green campaign, as in the case of caterer Harbour & Jones (H&J), it goes without saying that you have to walk-the-walk and not just talk (a lot).

To this end Kevin Harrison, H&J's ever so slightly scarily-named compliance director, has e-mailed all staff to inform them they will be receiving their very own pedometers.

H&J staff are being challenged to record each mode of transport they use in their working week, and to see if they can get anywhere near a recommended 10,000 steps a day, which should make them both healthier and "greener", albeit in quite a few steps.

Although there's a quarterly prize to be won, Kitchen Rat has not yet confirmed if it is indeed a night out with H&J co-founder Nathan Jones, or whether the runner-up gets two nights out with Jones for their troubles.

However, Harrison does warn in his e-mail that anyone caught cheating by shaking their pedometers, getting creative with cab reciepts or doctoring other people's scores, will, without doubt, win three nights out with Jones. Consider yourself warned.

Harbour & Jones adds to management team>>

Is God on Harbour and Jones's side?>>

Harbour & Jones scoops advertising agency deal>> 

It was a bold gambit but today marked the "retirement" of the Purple Hotels brand.

The Real Hotel Group had dared to dream big with Purple and had plans to challenge the likes of Premier Inn to the budget hotel crown. Ultimately it was not to be, and the deployment of "comedian" Lenny Henry proved too much to contend with.

Still as purple-favouring popstar Prince might summise, it could simply of been a sign o' the times, but either way the sale of its three remaining leases today to Travelodge marks the end of this particular economy adventure.

Purple owner the Real Hotel Group (Real Hotel Company) collapsed into administration at the start of this year and appears to be being sold off piecemeal by the administrators with little chance of rescue.

Still, the parting shot that can be found on Purple Hotels's website - borrowed from US author Mark Twain - serves as a fitting epitaph and cautionary tale for us all.

It reads: "A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain."

Farewell Purple Hotels, farewell.

Focus Hotels safeguards 500 Real Hotel Group jobs>>

Black holes and revelations with RHG's Michael Prager>>

Budget hotel spoiler?>>

Are you currently looking to move to a new pub or restaurant and struggling to find something that ticks all those boxes?

Relocation, Relocation could be the answer. The producers of Channel 4's property programme, are seeking people actively searching for a pub or restaurant.

Professional property hunters Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer are taking on the challenge in helping the success candidates to find their dream pub or restaurant.

So, if you want to feature on the programme you can apply via the website. 

Marco Pierre White returns to our screens next Monday for the latest instalment of ITV1's Hell's Kitchen.

The participants were revealed today and, as per usual, it is a mixed bunch.

The full line-up: TV presenter Anthea Turner and her husband Grant Bovey; model Danielle Bux (better known as Gary Lineker's fiance); singer Ms Dynamite; actor and comedian Adrian Edmondson; former Liverpool goalie Bruce Grobbelaar; Jody Latham from Shameless and former Dynasty actress Linda Evans.

A few Kitchen Rat predictions: Anthea will be the first to cry, Ms Dynamite will be the first to have a shouting match with MPW, the cameras will take a shine to Bux and Jody will be the best chef (well, one hopes so - he's launching his own restaurant soon).

Elior development chef Mark Crowe has admitted to having nightmares after seeing the contestants on The Apprentice attempt last week's catering challenge.

Certainly it turned into a bad dream for boys' team leader and hospitality worker Rocky Andrews owner of Fatso's Filling Station, who was fired as a result of his team's efforts.

Crowe told Kitchen Rat: "As a development chef for Avenance, we have many prestigious City companies as our clients and the challenges facing the The Apprentice contestants in last night's episode were very familiar.

"Our City clients demand and rightly expect the very best standards of food and service when entertaining their guests. Last week's programme highlighted just why this should be left to the professionals. I am still having nightmares about the second-rate canapés the teams served, and I certainly won't be using any of them on my new summer hospitality menus!"

Nor will Sir Alan Sugar, one suspects.

The Apprentice Catering challenge>>

Hospitality hopefulls escape the boardroom in the first Apprentice>>

You can imagine the board room conversation between Alan Parker, the current chief executive of Whitbread, and his right hand man Patrick Dempsey: Parker:

"What are we going to do tonight then Paddy?"

Paddy: "Same thing we do every night Parker, try to take over the world!" At least that's what Dempsey revealed at the Arena event at London's Dorchester hotel today.

Dempsey made no bones about the fact that his main ambition was to one day be at the helm of the "largest budget hotel operator in the world".

He added that the group are looking to the Middle East, where there are currently four to five hotels under development, and India, where there are two.

However, he also said that the company would be opening just four pubs next year, and not 13 as was originally planned, a reflection of the tough conditions the pub industry is facing. Will Premier Inn work all over the world? Thoughts please...

So the heads of state attending the high-profile G20 summit in London's Docklands are to get down to the not inconsiderable task of saving the world economy today.

Well good luck with that one. But it appears the G20 circus has been both feast and famine for the world leaders and those in the hospitality industry.

There was some trouble in the City yesterday affecting Compass Group and Lexington, while later the likes of Barack Obama enjoyed a slap up meal at Downing Street prepared by Jamie Oliver.

The Ritz hotel was one of many taking no chances, electing to board up and hucker down. And thanks to Vacherin for their snap from one of their contracts yesterday that you can see at the top of this entry.

At the Excel Centre at London's Docklands where the summit proper is taking place, it's good news for Compass Group, whose Leith's brand is looking after the feeding duties. However it's not so good for Creativevents who run a number of fixed sites, a stand and on-floor catering at the exhibtion centre on a standard day and have been, essentially, kicked out for the duration.

All around caterers have had to adapt, with Elior, which has many contracts within the City, ordering in extra stock and changing some menus to temporarily make more use of dry and frozen goods in case protests affect deliveries.

Still, with most City clients facing lockdown on the premises, Simon Titchner, managing director at ISS Eaton, candidly told Kitchen Rat: "Actually the protests helped us yesterday as takings were up across the business as all customers used their internal restaurant facilities as they could not go out."

Feast and famine. Feast and famine.

G20 Sumit website>>

World leaders start G20 summit>>

Vacherin appoints head chef for first public restaurant venture>>

Recession presents "great opportunity" for contract caterers to prove worth>>

Never ones to miss an opportunity (particularly if it involves jumping on a marketing bandwagon) budget hotel chain Travelodge has written to the speaker of the House Commons to inform them of the savings MPs could make by forgoing their second homes and staying with Travelodge instead. The tongue in cheek plea, a side swipe aimed at the naughty parliament minister Mr McNulty who has claimed £60,000 since 2002 for his second house in his Harrow constituency, the same place his parents live. Tsk tsk...

But hope is here in the shape of a budget bedroom. According to Travelodge, the average cost per MP for their second home allowance is £17,693, but staying at Travelodge London Southwark Monday to Thursday nights whilst Parliament is sitting would cost a maximum of £10,065. You do the maths.

The group also suggests that MPs obtain a Business Account Card, to "secure further discounts" as well as being able to accumulate Argos Reward Points, which will allow them to "furnish their constituency homes without spending any further money".

Perhaps it should also offer budget porn in the hotel rooms for Jacqui Smith's husband? It certainly would be a Room with a View.

Made you look!

Yes, this was just one of the April fool's jokes making the rounds today. The viral email clip launched by pod-style hotel chain Yotel, appeared to show a Russian-made Mil V-12 used as the first ever flying hotelicopter (see what they did there?)

The flying five-star, alas, was a spoof advertisement posted online by an "expert" calling himself Alvin Farley (aka Yotel's head of marketing).

He claimed to have spent five years modifying the helicopter which was said to have had 18 luxurious rooms, queen sized beds, a mini bar, wireless internet, DVD player, whirlpool bath and room service.

But it later emerged that the interior shots were lifted from pod-style hotel chain Yotel's website.

Spokeswoman Jo Berrington said: "It's a little bit tongue in cheek and we are just having some April Fool's day fun but we are always looking at other options for hotel rooms."

Watch this, er, space.

It's Wednesday night and what does that mean? Yes, The Apprentice is back on our TV screens. And tonight's episode sees the young contestants faced with a particularly interesting challenge: catering.

Sir Alan Sugar will challenge both the male and female teams to set up a catering service for busy professionals in the City. They'll be pitching for lunchtime business and creating menus for a canapé reception, and as well as sourcing the ingredients, they must make, deliver and serve all the food themselves.

"A recipe for disaster," I hear you say? Oh yes!

One of the catering companies involved in the challenge was Red Snapper Events, which lent its kitchens to the male team. Managing director Damian Clarkson told Kitchen Rat "they were hopeless".

"One of their ideas was to serve a peanut butter sandwich on brown bread in a brown box. That's way too much brown and miles off what anyone wants," he said.

Kitchen Rat tried to find out who hosted the girls team, which no doubt had some equally insightful ideas, but The Apprentice PR declined to give out their details.

"Thanks for your request, but I'm afraid we do not give out this sort of information," she said.

It is MI5 stuff so if you know anything, please get in touch. We won't give you up, promise.

Hospitality hopefuls escape the boardroom in the first Apprentice