Welcome to Rise & Shine
If you have any news about your business you’d like to see here, including trading updates and appointments please contact our News Editor, Carolyn Moss, at news@breadandbutter.media or call her on 01305 897172. Follow us on Twitter @BreadButterNews for updates.
Robin Alway
Group Editor
INDUSTRY NEWS
Dorset box-scheme retailer pioneers meat traceability software
Dorset-based online food delivery company, Goldhill Organics, has become the first meat box-scheme retailer to offer customers detailed information on their meat through a new food tracing software application.
Goldhill and its supplier Blackmore Vale Butchery are the first meat retailer and independent butcher to use the Followthisfood traceability software in the UK. Shoppers can now check the exact provenance and sustainability of their meat by going online or using their smartphone to scan the Followthisfood label on the pack. This will show them precisely where the meat comes from, when it was produced, who produced it and how it was processed along the way.
Nick Somper, co-founder of Goldhill Organics says: “Providing high-quality, local produce from small producers in a highly transparent way is the very essence of what Goldhill does and Followthisfood really reinforces that very strong commitment. Buying locally sourced, quality meat from small, local farms that use traditional animal husbandry and welfare methods is hugely important to our customers and Followthisfood gives them fantastic engagement with our producer farms. We have all read about misleading labelling and the use of fictional farm brands so Followthisfood provides our customers with the trust and confidence that the food they are buying is exactly what it claims to be.”
The software application has been developed by Agrantec, the Bristol-based food supply chain management systems specialist, in association with Blackmore Vale Butchery, Goldhill’s grass-fed meat provider.
For more information go to www.goldhillorganics.co.uk
Bristol welcomes Department of Coffee…
The first Department of Coffee and Social Affairs café outside of London is opening in Bristol’s Cabot Circus. The emerging coffee shop chain is set to open a 65 sqm site in the Quakers Friars piazza joining Côte, Hugo Boss and Michael Kors.
Sarah Fox, Head of Restaurants and Leisure at retail centre owners Hammerson commented: “It really is a fantastic result that The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs has chosen to make its all-important first step outside of London with Hammerson at Cabot Circus. Bringing a completely unique offer to Bristol, the new coffee shop will no doubt prove very popular with our customers and clearly demonstrates the strength of the centre’s appeal as the region’s leading retail, dining and leisure hub.”
Department of Coffee and Social Affairs CEO, Ashley Lopez, added: “Bristol is a city on the rise. Welcoming more people in the coming years and consistently performing highly on the intake of tourists and commuters from other parts of the United Kingdom, making it an ideal location for our new Department of Coffee and Social Affairs coffee shop.”
John Burton Race opening restaurant at The Grosvenor Torquay
Torquay icon The Grosvenor Hotel is set to reopen on 3rd February with a new look and the Michelin-starred chef John Burton Race headlining the restaurant.
The celebrity chef will be involved in every aspect of the restaurant from the kitchen design to menu planning to preparing dishes. “We’re so fortunate with the produce that’s on offer locally,” said John. “The animal husbandry, the pastureland and the seafood of the county allows my menus to have a real seasonal focus.”
Keith Richardson, of owners Richardson Hotel Group said: “We’re very excited to be working with John. His background is in world-class dining, and that’s something we want to promote in The Grosvenor’s Brasserie and Terrace. He’s lived in Devon for many years, so he knows how to really harness the best of what Devon has to offer. We aim to make the hotel a real destination, not only for tourists, but for locals too. We want to serve the very best food possible, and John is certainly the man to do it.”
Staycations boost Cornish self-catering bookings.
The demand for staycations has seen a 40% year-on-year increase in bookings according to the latest figures from Cornish self-catering specialists Beach Retreats.
This follows Visit Cornwall’s prediction of a boost to domestic tourism in 2017 after a reported 10% rise in 2016 visits for Cornish businesses.
Beach Retreats claim many summer holiday weeks are already more than 50% booked. They are expanding their portfolio with larger properties catering for group bookings in in Portwrinkle, Watergate Bay and Mawgan Oorth.
Andrew Easton, Beach Retreats’ business manager says: “It’s exciting to see Cornwall remain a top staycation destination for British holiday makers. We’ve seen a growing demand in our larger properties for group getaways, to mark a special occasion or celebration.”
Gloucester wholesaler under new ownership
Cotswold Food and Drinks Wholesale Limited supply juices, soft drinks and snacks and have been acquired by Scott and Mandy Garfield.
Based next to the M5 near Tewkesbury, the business supplies coffee shops, pubs, restaurants and clubs as well as canteen facilities and vending machines.
Scott Garfield said to Punchline Gloucester: “Having gained a vast amount of experience developing sales of wines and spirits throughout Gloucestershire over the last 20 years, I felt that the time was right for Mandy and I to acquire and fully establish a business of our own in an allied trade, where our experience and knowledge of the customers and their expectations in a related industry could be fully utilised.”
South West restaurant gets highest rating
Gidleigh Park in Devon has been awarded a prestigious rating of five AA rosettes. Run by chef Michael Wignall, who succeded Michael Caines in January 2016, it’s the only restaurant to achieve that status in the current round of awards.
The AA awards its rosettes bi-annually in January and September but Alistair Sandall, commercial manager at AA Hotel Services explained to Insider Media: “We all felt that we could not delay this award until then.” He added: “Michael Wignall has transferred his exquisite skills and style to Gidleigh Park and has made this undoubtedly worthy of this accolade.”
Four South West restaurants achieved three-rosette status; Boringdon Hall Hotel (Gallery Restaurant) in Plymouth, Bovey Castle in Moretonhampstead, The Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa in Taunton and The Olive Room in Ilfracombe.
Miles rated second most popular UK tea brand
The Somerset-based tea and coffee merchant Miles has been ranked the second most popular tea brand for independent retailers to stock in the UK, according to Best Brands magazine. This was the fourth year in a row they have been among the top tea brands.
John Halls, Operations Director said: “this is a brilliant recognition for Food and Drink producers in Somerset and the West Country. This is just the kind of positive news we need to kick start another season. We have also had a good year with stores such as Tesco seeing an increase of 20% in the sales of Miles Tea and Hot Chocolate. We hope next time we might make the top spot in Best Brands.”
New holiday park fish and chip shop comes to Fruition
The Ladram Bay holiday Park in Budleigh Salterton have commissioned design agency Fruition to create their new fish and chip shop. It will be one of the final elements of the courtyard in a prominent area of the holiday park.
A spokesperson for Torquay-based Fruition said: “The look and feel of the space and exterior will reflect the new emerging look of Ladram Bay and is designed to improve the customer offering, particularly for the families who come to stay. The new design is not only comfortable and easy to maintain with bright tiled wall finishes and coastal elements such as weathered wood and stone, but also eye-catching with a fresh look and feel for customers. Digital signage adds a modern touch to the menu display and coastal themed artwork gives a homely touch.”
EQUIPMENT NEWS
Blending up a storm with FEM
The new Sirman Storm Stick blender is both “heavy-duty and light-weight” according to suppliers FEM (Foodservice Equipment Marketing).
It can blend up to 15 litres with a detachable stainless steel 160mm shaft that reaches into deep pots and pans. The 0.27 Hp motor drives the cutlery steel knives at 12,500 rpm with a cooling system to prevent burn out when back-to-back blending.
The list price for FEM’s Sirman Storm Stick blender is £265 plus VAT. Visit www.fem.co.uk for more details.
PROPERTY NEWS
Bridport’s Bridge House Hotel on sale for £900k
The Grade-II listed boutique hotel dates from 1768 and is currently a three-star hotel with 10 fully refurbished bedrooms, a restaurant and cellar wine bar.
It has a net turnover in excess of £200,000 with a gross profit in excess of 80% from accommodation sales only.
Kevin Conibear at agents Fleurets said: “The Bridge House Hotel is a fine example of Georgian architecture being easily accessible to the main town centre with its weekly market and festivals and the property has the added benefit of extensive car parking. A beautiful walled garden is used for functions and events, in addition to ten high quality letting bedrooms and owner’s apartment. This area of Dorset is extremely popular, given its association with Broadchurch, the Jurassic Coast and spectacular scenery, which is regularly used in period dramas.”
SHOW SPOTLIGHT
Drink it all in at Expowest Cornwall
Expowest Cornwall is the region’s foremost hospitality and catering trade show and it will be bringing you even more drinks producers in 2017! Taking place in Wadebridge from Tuesday 7th -–Thursday 9th March, there will be a greater range of local, national and international drinks exhibitors at the show than ever before, covering hot, cold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Alongside regular well-known exhibitors such as Burdett Wines, Voyager Coffee, Camel Valley Wine, Just Water, Keltek Brewery, Folkingtons and Skinners Brewing Company, you’ll meet many first timers like the Wooden Hand Brewery, Polar Krush & Pernod Ricard.
To create a real buzz at the show, there will also be a new drinks feature area, sponsored by LWC Drinks, Bar Equipment Direct, and Cornwall College Business. The drinks feature area will have a bar, supplied by Beaumont, where you can watch professionals’ cocktail competitions, learn how to make mocktails and cocktails and enjoy wine and champagne talks and tastings. You can also see which equipment and skills to use to enhance your drinks serving and maximise profitability with flair masterclasses from the World Flair Association. There will also be two cocktail competitions at the show for professionals. On Tuesday 7th March they will be challenged to create a Signature Cocktail with set ingredients. On Wednesday 8th March they will face the Market Challenge, when their creations will feature Old J Rum and ingredients collected from exhibitors. LWC Drinks are providing prizes – a hamper of spirits & cases of beer on the first day, and an all expenses paid day trip, including a brewery visit, on the second, so competition should be fierce!
For over 30 years Expowest Cornwall has been an absolute must for those eager to see, touch and taste the latest products, to get a feel for the trends shaping the market, and to weigh up a range of competing offerings all under one roof. With around 150 exhibitors, you’ll see a huge range of different companies showcasing everything from foodservice to fresh produce, bakery to business services, drinks to catering equipment, and speciality foods to sundry supplies, plus much more besides. Familiar faces such as Barton Reed & Co, Hunts Foodservice, Prima Bakeries, Rodda’s, and Total Produce will be back, alongside first time exhibitors such as Blenders, Pat Gorman Pies, Sargies Cornish Kitchen and Truly Treats.
If you’re looking for business advice and expertise, the Cornwall Business Forum will be holding a ‘Knowledge Hub’, staffed by their executive members who will be able to help you with their wide range of skills; from marketing, cyber security and website design to sales training and commercial photography. With such a broad and comprehensive range of exhibitors and features, the show attracts buyers from hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes, supermarkets, grocers, delis, farm shops, independent stores, holiday parks and tourist attractions, schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, all keen to benefit from some exclusive offers at the show, in a friendly face-to-face atmosphere.
Expowest Cornwall is a cornerstone of the Cornish business calendar for all those involved in this vibrant but tight-knit market – the place where suppliers large and small showcase their latest products and services for Cornwall’s busy trade buyers. Although a trade show, Expowest Cornwall is also an eagerly anticipated social event where the whole Cornish business community gets together to enjoy the company of colleagues, suppliers and customers. There’s nowhere better for forging those all important business relationships that count for so much in this popular & thriving region. Hospitality and catering are the main drivers of the Cornish economy – and if you want to tap into the very heart of these industries, at the start of the summer season, this show is an absolute must.
For more information about the show, to book a stand, or register to attend, please call 01934 733433, visit www.expowestcornwall.co.uk. or follow @Expowest_UK
EVENTS
January
Sirha – The World Hospitality & Food Service Event
21st – 25th January, 2017
Eurexpo, Lyon, France
“With 11 sectors dedicated to food products, equipment and services for professionals, Sirha embodies the global market for the catering, hospitality and food service trades. Taking part in the Sirha trade exhibition places you at the heart of the largest observatory for worldwide Food Service.”
http://www.sirha.com/en
The Great Hospitality Show
23rd – 25th January, 2017
NEC, Birmingham
“The UK’s largest exhibition for foodservice and hospitality in 2017 – celebrate everything Great in British hospitality. Back and bigger than ever for 2017, the world-class culinary competition, Salon Culinaire, returns to the Great Hospitality Show this January with a jam-packed programme of competitions designed to showcase the wide range of talent within our hospitality industry.”
http://www.hospitalityshow.co.uk/
Business South Local Produce Show 2017 – Producers & Suppliers
24th January 2017
Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, West End, Southampton
“Business South, Cavendish Ships Stores and Hampshire Fare invite producers and suppliers from the South to exhibit at the Local Produce Show 2017. The event is a great platform for producers and suppliers to showcase their fantastic range of local food, beverages and products to a wide and influential selection of catering & hospitality trade buyers from the region.”
https://www.businesssouth.org/events/local-produce-show-2017/
The South West Tourism Alliance Conference
27th January 2017
“The Challenges Facing Rural and Coastal Tourism”
The Tiverton Hotel, Tiverton. Devon
“Keynote speakers will be Neil Parish MP, who is Chair of the Rural Tourism Enquiry and Sally Balcombe, Chief Executive of Visit Britain and Visit England. We will have speakers from The National Coastal Tourism Academy as well as presentations about how SW businesses can get involved in Discover England funded marketing promotions. The Conference will be gathering the evidence from the day to submit to the Rural Tourism Enquiry, so this really is a chance for you to come and influence priorities.”
http://www.swtourismalliance.org.uk/alliance-events
February
South West Tourism Excellence Awards
2nd February 2017
Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
“The culmination of a 10 month programme, the finalists include winners from the Dorset, Bristol, Bath & Somerset, Cornwall and Devon Tourism Awards, all of which have been celebrated at county events during the autumn. They also include direct entries from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.”
http://www.southwesttourismawards.org.uk/
Winchester Cocktail Week
6th – 12th February 2017
Winchester, Hampshire
“The city of Winchester will light up with a dazzling array of workshops, master-classes and parties in over two dozen of the city’s top retailers and hospitality businesses. Throughout the week, wristband holders will be able to access exclusive discounts as they imbibe and dine their way around Winchester.”
www.winchestercocktailweek.co.uk
The Food to Go Conference
7th February 2017
Ham Yard Hotel, Soho, London
“MCA’s successful Food To Go Conference returns in 2017, with a further focus on THE most dynamic and fast moving sector in the UK’s eating out industry. Leading operators and specialist will shine a light on growth plans as well as operational, marketing and supply challenges and opportunities, which will define the sector’s future landscape.”
https://www.foodtogoconference.co.uk/
Pub17
7th – 8th February 2017
Olympia, London
The only UK trade show dedicated to the UK pub industry. 200 innovative suppliers, 20 talks/workshops and multiple networking opportunities.
www.thepubshow.co.uk
The Source Trade Show
8th – 9th February 2017
Westpoint, Exeter
“The Source is the South West’s biggest and best trade show for anyone with a serious interest in speciality foods, quality drinks, profitable catering and inspired hospitality. A complete one-stop shop for everything a food business needs – covering not just speciality food and drink but everything from raw ingredients to high quality food service products, furniture to EPoS, kitchen design to business services.”
http://thesourcetradeshow.co.uk/
2017 West Country Tourism Conference
8th – 9th February 2017
Westpoint, Exeter
“Running alongside the ‘Source Trade Show’ – the 8th February will focus on tourism ideas, news and excellence in customer service and the 9th February will be ‘Marketing and Digital day’ including ‘working with Tripadvisor’ by Justin Reid of Tripadvisor.”
http://www.westcountrytourismconference.org.uk/
Casual Dining Show
22nd – 23rd Feb 2017
Business Design Centre, London
“The award-winning trade show for restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels and contract caterers. Casual Dining will feature over 200 food, drink, equipment and tableware exhibitors as well as a world-class keynote programme featuring leading industry names.”
www.casualdiningshow.co.uk
March
Expowest, Cornwall
7th – 9th March 2017
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
“Showcasing products that cover the whole of the hospitality and catering market; from tableware to furniture, catering equipment to business services, coffee to speciality food, this show really does have Cornwall covered!”
http://expowestcornwall.co.uk/
The Retailers’ Retailer Awards
7th March 2017
Guildhall, London
“Described as the UK’s eating and drinking-out sector’s “Oscars”, the Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards recognises the best companies, concepts and individuals in the restaurant, pub, coffee shop and late-night bar market.”
https://www.rroty.co.uk/
The Publican Awards
14th March 2017
Battersea Evolution, London
“The Publican Awards recognises the best in every aspect of the pub industry – from the best brewing pub companies to the best late-night operators. Iconic chat show presenter Jonathan Ross has been announced as the host of the biggest night of the year for the pub industry.”
https://www.publicanawards.co.uk/
The Hotel, Catering & Retail Show
14th – 15th March 2017
Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth
“The Hotel, Catering and Retail Show features new and innovative products, hundreds of delicious food and drink product tastings, the latest trends and exciting developments from industry, and a chance to network with current suppliers, peers and key industry players.”
http://www.hotelcateringretailshow.co.uk/
The International Food & Drink Event (IFE)
19th – 22nd March 2017
(including – Pro2Pac & Waste-Works)
ExCel, London
“Together the three events cover the entire supply chain; from farm to fork to fertiliser to fuel.”
IFE is “the UK’s biggest and most important food and drink trade event. The 2017 show will be bursting with food and drink inspiration.”
Pro2Pac is “the UK’s only packaging event designed exclusively for the food & drink sector.”
“Waste-Works, the only waste & sustainability event for the food & drink industry.”
http://www.ife.co.uk/
British Tourism & Travel Show
22nd – 23rd March 2017
NEC, Birmingham
“With the UK domestic tourism sector valued at £127 billion, this lucrative industry deserves a dedicated and focused exhibition. Bringing together over 3,000 top level travel buyers.”
http://www.tourismshow.co.uk/
Whiskies & Spirits Conference Europe
30th March 2017
The Waldorf Hilton, London
“The 2017 Whiskies & Spirits Conference Europe brings together the industry’s international leaders in a unique open forum to talk about the commercial opportunities and challenges that confront the global spirits industry.” Including, the ‘World Drink Awards 2017’ presentation and drinks reception.
http://www.whiskiesandspiritsconference.com/europe/london-2017/
LAST BITE
The 100 million euro Italian food theme park
Set to open its gates in October, FICO Eataly World will be nothing short of a foodie’s dream – a vast 20 acre food and drink orientated theme park near Bologna in Italy. Visitors will be able to choose from 25 restaurants and food stalls, wander around 10,000-square meters of orchards and fields and participate in 40 different workshops that show you how the classics of Italian cuisine are made. It’s the latest ambitious project from Eataly, who run vast Italian food halls across the globe.
If you make the trip, you will be able to fill the shopping basket on the front of one of the 500 adult-sized tricycles, designed for the park by Italian cycle maestros Bianchi. According to a report in Bloomberg Pursuits, there will be nine kinds of cows, five kinds of pigs, five kinds of goats, five kinds of sheep and rabbit, geese and guinea hens grazing the pasture.
To really show off Eataly’s ‘Farm to Fork’ tagline, workshops will demonstrate the whole process of making food from start to finish whether it’s prosciutto, wine or pasta. There will also be six virtual reality experiences, three bars and the chance to “see something being born” every day.
Admission will be free but Eataly are expecting the estimated 100 million euro cost to be funded by six million hungry tourists a year, two million from outside Italy. A 200-room hotel is apparently planned for 2018.