Recently in contract wins Category

Recent coverage in Caterer about the renewed interest amongst contract caterers in providing facilities management services bought things full-circle for one reader.

While conceding there was certainly a demand for facilities management from some clients - and adding that the market had developed significantly since, with many professional managers now in the field - our source couldn't help but think back to a time when FM, in most people's minds, was simply a radio frequency.

"Some 24 years ago Compass challenged existing operations managers and their bosses to go out and 'sell' - cleaning & security contracts - with great kudos afforded to any that managed this feat.

"Lifelong caterers received an hour or so of 'training' to prepare us with resource to provide arms-length consultant expertise. The negative energy this created was something to behold. The result was loss of focus on the existing business and loss of key accounts and managers."

Still, with the recent win of National Grid and an extension to their Shell contract, as well as ComputaCentre, it's fair to say Compass's new FM strategy appears to be paying off this time.

Compass creates one-stop shop with Eurest Services>>

Caterers tune into FM for revenue growth>>

Kitchen Rat fears contract caterer Harbour & Jones may be making the most of an unfair, other-worldly, advantage over rivals when it comes to picking up new business.

A recent visit to London landmark St Paul's Cathedral to meet some of the new Harbour & Jones team, suggested something more than a strong offer and charisma might have come into play when the caterer was competing for the contract.

Apparently when H&J was invited to pitch for the deal last year they arrived at St Paul's only to be told that one of their rivals was running late.

The knock-on effect was that the caterer was asked to present in a chamber away from the main dining area of the Crypt.

This, H&J co-founder Patrick Harbour conceded, suited his team down to the ground as they had a "Best of British" selection of produce with them to showcase, which they were then able to arrange fetchingly on a stone shelf inside.

This was all good, but better still, as the cathedral's top brass walked in to hear the pitch, a shaft of golden sunlight, as if on demand, shone through from the window above, illuminating the produce and creating a bucolic harvest scene. Divine intervention?

It's hard to say, but H&J co-founder Nathan Jones was apparently sighted later in the cathedral lighting a candle, which one imagines was in reverence but could have been in gratitude.

Well, in these tough times it pays to keep the supreme being on side, after all.

Harbour & Jones wins £5m St Paul's Cathedral deal>> 

H&J scoops advertising agency deal>> 

Start-up caterer-cum-retailer Gold & Brown has started the year with reason for cheer (sorry), netting new business worth more than £1.5m.

Having revealed the inspiration for the company name to Kitchen Rat in November, the caterer is to launch at three new sites in 2009, taking its locations to a grand total of five since being established by Simon Elliot and Andrea Walwyn in April 2008. Not bad going given all the doom and gloom abound at the moment.

Gold & Brown is being somewhat coy about where the new sites are but did reveal that one of them is at an arts centre in the North-east, the 2nd is at a Horticultural venue on the south side of Harrogate (!) and the 3rd is a business and industry site in Rutland.

Taking on these new sites and the company's exisiting oulets at The Academy Health Club and Spa in Harrogate and Holden Wood in Lancashire is Helen Tesseyman.

Tesseyman joins as executive business manager from the Michelin-starred Devonshire Arms hotel at Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire.

Gold & Brown one of the winners at Caterersearch web awards>>

Gold & Brown online store>>

Contract catering round-up>>

However, it's not quite as black and white for caterers, as although clients' collective belt-tightening is putting a squeeze on them, outsourcing to manage costs has never been so popular.

Contract caterer Bartlett Mitchell seems to be one such beneficiary as it's picked up £2m of new business and seven new clients in the last four months alone (and is on the cusp of signing it's 100th contract).

And Wendy Bartlett, managing director of Bartlett Mitchell, is certainly glass half-full about the year ahead.

"The year ahead is going to be challenging for every company but proactivity in budget control, and food innovation that keeps customers coming in pays off with contract gains and business retention," Bartlett told Kitchen Rat.

So here's to a tough but potentially rewarding 2009.

Bartlett Mitchell recruits new operations director>>

Orchid closes 14 pubs and cuts 150 jobs ahead of Christmas>>

Half of Folio's head office staff made redundant>>

It seems Compass Group has had a bit of seasonal cheer of its own, with rumours abound that the catering giant has sewn-up a seven-year deal at Goodwood in East Sussex.

Compass, which in 2007 signed a one-year extention at the estate, is believed to have landed the £7m-a-year turnover hospitality contract at the site, which features a racecourse and Goodwood House, under a deal that will see it invest £1m in the facilities there.

Compass has been invovled with Goodwood, which is home of motor-racing events the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, since 1987 and has been running its exisiting contract under its Payne & Gunter brand.

Both Compass and Goodwood declined to comment.

Mike Stapleton to leave Compass after nearly a decade>>

Compass signed up at Cardiff City FC?>>

Belt tightening puts squeeze on contractors>>

With the January transfer window fast approaching the football rumour-mill is in full flow, but this year it seems a member of the catering premier league is included as well.

Word reaches Kitchen Rat that the UK's largest contract caterer Compass Group has won a £4m annual turnover catering deal at Championship team Cardiff City FC.

Cardiff, managed by Dave Jones and beaten FA Cup finalists earlier this year, move into a new state-of-the-art stadium next August, which is when the Compass contract will likely start.

Compass already provides catering services at Chelsea and Southampton football clubs under its FMC brand, so should be well versed in meeting football fans' expectations.

Compass Group retains contract with Wellcome Trust>>

Sodexo nets £38m catering deal with Newcastle United>>

Contract caterer Artizian has been quietly adding high profile clients to its books in recent months.

Known in the marketplace for its commitment to good health through good food, Artizian has demonstrated that it's far from a one-trick pony by winning business at two prestigious London clients.

The company, set up in 1997 by Alison Frith, now counts law firm DLA Piper (staff restaurant) and investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort as clients.

Both contracts were previously run by Restaurant Associates, which is part of industry giant Compass Group.

Most recently Artizian has snapped up camera-to-printer-manufacturer Canon and is providing services at its UK headquarters in Surrey and at a training facility in Sussex.

The previous incumbent here was Sodexo, so another notable scalp for the independent, which is now just shy of the 20 contract mark.

Contract catering news page>>

Contract caterer Charlton House has won the deal to feed staff at London law firm Mayer Brown.

Under a three-year deal the caterer will manage hospitality services, previously run by Elior's Avenance, at Mayer Brown's Pilgrim Street office until February 2009.

After this time the law firm is relocating to a new site in the Broadgate development in the City at 201 Bishopsgate.

Services at the new site will include a staff restaurant for the first time, as well as hospitality, fine-dining, vending and a coffee shop for the firm's 750 staff and partners.

Kitchen Rat hears Charlton House pipped rivals BaxterStorey, Lexington and Harbour & Jones to the gig.

Charlton House regains 'Ready Steady Cook' crown>>

Charlton House wins Allianz Insurance deal>>

FSA reports on healthier workplace meal drive>>

Crown Group's Kudos wins Honourable Artillery Company deal>>

Contract catering round-up>>

Crown Group's Kudos Hospitality has wrestled away the deal to run hospitality and banqueting services at the City's Honourable Artillery Company, Kitchen Rat has learnt.

Kudos takes over from longterm incumbent Chester Boyd from January.

Interestingly Kudos parent company Crown appointed a new commercial director in March, none other than David Morris who was managing director of Chester Boyd. Coincidence no doubt.

It's also been said that that Kudos managing director John Wright has left the company, although, alas, Kitchen Rat doubts the two caterers are doing the equvialent of a student exchange, which would be fun.

Anyone know John's whereabouts?

Crown Group sets up own Dragons' Den>>

Chester Boyd wins deal to run public cafe at Buckingham Place>>