All news

Scottish Student Chef of the Year competition launches

09-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

A chef competition exclusively for Scottish students has been launched in partnership with chefs Gary Maclean and Adam Handling.

Jennifer Collins appointed head chef at The Pem

09-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Jennifer Collins has been named as the new head chef at Sally Abé’s Westminster restaurant The Pem.

The Coconut Tree targets London market as it launches crowdfund

09-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Sri Lankan restaurant group The Coconut Tree is planning its first openings in London having launched an equity-based crowdfund that’s aiming to raise £1m.

Latest opening: Alley Cats Pizza

09-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Marylebone has welcomed a compact, high-quality pizzeria that pays homage to the by-the-slice joints of New York.

Barburrito closes one of its Glasgow sites

09-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has closed one of its two Glasgow Barburrito restaurants as the Mexican brand continues to shrink.

Liquid assets: January 2024

09-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

As dry January grips the nation, here's a round up the latest low and non alcoholic drinks launches to hit the market.

Business set to ‘feel the heat’ on food prices ‘for some time to come’

09-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Analysts have warned that businesses across the food supply chain will be ‘feeling the heat on prices for some time to come’ as inflation continues to fall slowly.

Cornwall’s Driftwood Hotel hits the market

09-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

High-profile Cornwall hotel and restaurant Driftwood is on the market as owners Paul and Fiona Robinson look to retire after 22 years.

Scott Hallsworth gets his Freak on in Balham

08-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Scott Hallsworth is opening a second of his Freak Scene restaurants in south London, with a new site in Balham.

Ollie Reynolds to close Pizza Loco to embark on new projects

08-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Chef Ollie Reynolds is to close his Leeds-based pizzeria Pizza Loco to focus on a number of new projects, including a new food concept.

Wahaca returns to expansion trail with first opening in six years

08-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Wahaca is returning to the expansion trail with its first new opening in six years.

Fallow trio confirm huge Canary Wharf restaurant

08-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

James Robson, Will Murray and Jack Croft have confirmed that a follow up to their hit West End restaurant Fallow will soon launch in Canary Wharf.

RMT suspends tube strikes suspended after ‘positive’ talks with TfL

08-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has suspended industrial action that would have wiped out tube services in London this week.

Romulo Café goes on the market - updated

08-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Filipino restaurant Romulo Café in Kensington has gone on the market.

“Unfinished business”: Peter Sanchez-Iglesias looks to reopen Casamia

08-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Peter Sanchez-Iglesias says he wants to bring his flagship Casamia back following its closure in 2022.

Pergola Paddington to close

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Pergola Paddington has announced it will be permanently closing its doors later this month.

The Lowdown: Restaurant January sales

05-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

The January sales are not just for the retail sector, with restaurants getting in on the act as the battle for customers intensifies.

Friday five: the week's top restaurant stories

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The first week of 2024 was tough for the sector with several high-profile restaurants closing their doors amid insurmountable cost pressures, and data showing a decline in consumer spend.

“We cannot maintain any longer” – Phill and Deb Lewis announce closure of Kindle

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Cardiff-based restaurateurs Phill and Deb Lewis are to close their sustainability-focused outdoor restaurant Kindle, describing the decision as ‘a reflection of the current industry struggles’.

Tube strikes set to cost hospitality £50m

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that next week's tube strikes in London could cost the sector up to £50m in lost sales.

‘Challenging’ trading environment pushes Revolution Bars to close eight sites

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Revolution Bars Group has announced it will shutter eight of its ‘least profitable bars’ in order to reduce future losses.

Sandy Jarvis: “We are looking forward to opening a restaurant and seeing how good we can really make it”

05-Jan-2024 By Stefan Chomka

Sandy Jarvis, former head chef and managing director at The Culpeper Family Hospitality Group and his husband Clément Cousin will open neighbourhood bistro Bavette in Horsforth, Leeds, next month.

Latest opening: INÉ

05-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Takuya Watanabe and the Leong family’s follow up to their Michelin-starred Mayfair omakase joint Taku has a more casual vibe but is still decidedly high-end.

Raby Hunt to close as James Close joins Rockliffe Hall as culinary director

04-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Highly-rated County Durham restaurant Raby Hunt will close later this month as its chef patron James Close joins the nearby Rockliffe Hall as culinary director.

STACK receives investment to accelerate growth

04-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Leisure venue operator STACK has received investment from Kings Park Capital (KPC) to accelerate its growth of entertainment venues.

Spaghetti House returns to profit

04-Jan-2024 By Shwetali Sapte

Spaghetti House has reported financial results for the year to 26 March 2023, with turnover rising from the previous year’s £5.3m to £9.8m.

Max and Noel Venning to bring their Three Sheets bar to Soho

04-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Brothers Max and Noel Venning will open a second iteration of their acclaimed East London cocktail bar Three Sheets later this year.

Jollibee eyes UK growth despite growing losses

04-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Jollibee has set out plans to ‘significantly increase’ its UK presence by 2028, despite seeing its losses widen in its latest financial results.

Mission Mars tees up new openings as it toasts ‘record’ festive period

04-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Restaurant and bar group Mission Mars is planning to open a further 12 Rudy’s Pizza sites this year after reporting ‘record’ sales across its estate over the festive period.

Uncorked: Julio David Tauste Sierra

04-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at Marylebone’s Orrery on South Africa, Chenin Blanc and Champagne Krug Clos Du Mesnil 1996.

Sud Pasta team unveils new concept

04-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Manchester-based restaurant group Sud Pasta will relaunch this month under a new brand called Rigatoni’s, which is billed as aiming ‘to bring quality pasta to the masses’.

Michael Sager to launch another Hackney wine bar

04-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Sager + Wilde founder Michael Sager will open a wine bar and wine shop in Hackney’s Victoria Park Village later this month.

Whitbread sells stake in Pure

03-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Whitbread has sold its stake in health-focused grab and go brand Pure.

Bellazul to open in Marylebone

03-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

New neighbourhood Mediterranean restaurant and bar Bellazul is coming to Marylebone next month.

Dinings SW3 highlights sustainable seafood with ‘gill-to-tail’ dinner series

03-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Dinings SW3 executive chef Masaki Sugisaki is partnering with four other high-profile chefs for a series of dinners that are designed to throw the spotlight on sustainable seafood.

Flash-grilled: Wesley Smalley

03-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The chef owner of Seasonality restaurant in Maidenhead on memories of his mother's cooking, starting in kitchens at 16, and his signature dish.

KERB ‘returns to original ambition’ at Seven Dials Market as it announces new traders

03-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

KERB is to welcome four new traders to Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden as it looks to place greater emphasis on incubating fresh talent at its flagship food hall.

Manchester’s Cottonopolis closes to make way for new concept

03-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Asian-inspired Manchester restaurant and bar Cottonopolis has closed to make way for a new as-yet unnamed concept.

Restaurants see spending decline in 2023 as consumers cut back

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Restaurants saw a spending decline of 6.7% in 2023, according to data from Barclays, as Brits spent less on eating out to offset rising household bills.

“It’s a heart breaking day": Simon Rimmer announces shock closure of Greens

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Simon Rimmer has closed his Didsbury restaurant Greens with immediate effect after 33 years.

Patty & Bun to launch first international outpost in Dubai

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Burger slinger Patty & Bun is to become the latest UK-based restaurant operator to open an outpost in Dubai.

‘Continued financial difficulties’ force Tony Rodd to close Copper & Ink

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Tony Rodd has announced the immediate closure of his Copper & Ink restaurant in Blackheath, south east London, saying that ‘continued financial difficulties’ have made the business ‘untenable’.

Chefs Joshua Ralphs and Jack O’Connor to launch Big Night

02-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Larry’s alumni Joshua Ralphs and Jack O’Connor will open a restaurant within the Hackney Central site that was once home to Nest later this month.

Breal Capital buys Purity Brewing Company out of administration

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

The company behind recent deals for D&D London and Vinoteca has purchased Warwickshire-based brewery Purity Brewing Company out of administration.

Lower VAT rate for hospitality leads UKHospitality's 2024 three-point plan

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

UK Hospitality has unveiled its three-point plan for the coming year that will focus on growth, investment, and jobs.

“I’ve never been so battered in this business” – James Allcock closes The Pig and Whistle

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Chef James Allcock has permanently closed his Yorkshire bistro The Pig and Whistle in Beverly, describing it as ‘the most gut-wrenching decision’ of his life.

Simon Rogan and Adam Handling recognised in 2024 New Year’s Honours list

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

High-profile chefs Simon Rogan, Adam Handling and Jeremy Lee are among the hospitality professionals to have been recognised in the 2024 New Year’s Honours list.

Gareth Bartram to leave Winteringham Fields after nine years

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Winteringham Fields head chef Gareth Bartram has announced that he is leaving the Lincolnshire restaurant in February after almost a decade.

Sessions confirms cancellation of Manchester project as it ‘moves away’ from food halls

02-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Sessions has pulled out of a deal to open a huge food hall in Manchester and closed its Islington food hall Neighbourhood as the business ‘consciously moves away from large capex projects with high operational intensity’.

Bill Granger dies at the age of 54

27-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Australian restaurateur and food writer Bill Granger has died at the age of 54.