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Robin Alway
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
Salisbury pub to reopen after Novichok decontamination
Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has confirmed The Mill pub in Salisbury is safe to be reopened after extensive decontamination work following the nerve agent incidents in March and June.
A Defra spokesperson said: “The thorough work to decontaminate The Mill pub in Salisbury has been successfully completed and we have handed the site back to Wiltshire Council, who have in turn passed it back to the owners to begin refurbishment.
“As with other sites in the South Wiltshire area affected by the incidents in March and June, government scientists have carefully examined the clean-up work and are satisfied that the pub is safe to return to public use.
“This is the sixth site to be handed back as part of the ongoing decontamination operation in the area, and it is great news that The Mill will be enjoyed by both Salisbury residents and visitors once again.”
Alistair Cunningham, chair of the South Wiltshire Recovery Coordinating Group, said: “We’re delighted that The Mill has been handed back following the clean-up by specialist teams, and that it is now safe to be returned to its owners and refurbished ready for normal use.
“We look forward to the reopening of this popular city centre pub and seeing local people and visitors to the city enjoying what it has to offer; particularly its wonderful riverside setting.
“This is a positive step forward and will help the city in its recovery. Salisbury is getting back to normal even though it continues to be in an unprecedented situation. Local residents and visitors have not been deterred and they have shown remarkable resilience over the past few months.”
Andrea Greenwood, operations manager for the Mill pub, said: “It’s good to get the pub back and we look forward to it being business as usual again at the heart of the Salisbury community.
“This has been a difficult few months for all of us in the area but we are pleased by this news and will now assess the extent of refurbishment work to be undertaken to get the pub back to its best.
“This is about more than just one pub and our thoughts are very much with everyone affected by events since March. It’s too soon to give a reopening date but we are looking to the future and hope to be able to welcome the community back through our doors before Christmas.”
Blackdown Hills eggs enter administration
Egg packer Blackdown Hills Enterprises, based in Chard, Somerset, ceased trading at the end of July and has gone into administration.
The company posted a turnover of £11.1m in its latest financial results, employed 18 people and was supplied by 19 egg producers.
Accounting and consulting group Mazars have been appointed as administrators. In a statement they said: “A recent proposed sale of the company fell through and, as a result of the extremely warm summer weather, demand for eggs dropped dramatically, which has had a severe knock-on effect on the price of eggs the company could demand, resulting in cash flow difficulties and significant losses being incurred as a result.
“In the absence of further funding being readily available, the directors decided that the company had to be placed into administration. The business ceased to trade on July 31, 2018, and all 18 remaining staff were made redundant.”
Mike Field of Mazars said: “It is sad to see a business like Blackdown Hills Enterprises Limited fail as it is a family business that has successfully traded for many years and become a known brand in its market.
“External factors have impacted this business which has, in recent years, developed a state of the art egg grading, packing and distribution centre in the heart of Somerset.
“Unfortunately, given a very significant drop off in trade in recent months, the company has run out of cash and the directors had to make the difficult decision to enter administration to prevent the position for creditors worsening.
“The administrators are currently seeking a buyer for the business and assets and would welcome offers from any interested parties at this time”.
South West Chef of the Year semi-finalists announced
The semi-finalists and finalists for the South West Chef of the Year 2018 have been announced. The panel of judges, headed by Michael Caines, have selected finalists across five categories: Professional, Young Professional, Home Cook, Junior Chef and Student / Apprentice.
The Professional, Young Professional and Student/Apprentice Chef categories will now enter the semi-final stage taking place at Exeter College on Saturday 29th September while those selected in the Home Cook category will go directly to a final at Ashburton Cookery School on Saturday 6th October. Here they will be joined by the Junior Chef finalists, who have already won the junior title in their own counties. The grand finals for the Professional, Young Professional and Student/Apprentice Chefs will take place on Wednesday 24th October at Exeter College.
Co-founder and head judge Michael Caines MBE said: “Another solid year of entries with good interest across all categories of the competition. The standard of entries this year has been very high and we’re expecting an amazing competition for this, our 15th year! We wish all competitors the very best of luck!”
For a full list go to www.southwestchef.co.uk.
Thatchers is official Pirates’ cider
Thatchers Cider has become the official cider at the Cornish Pirates rugby team’s Mennaye Field Stadium in Penzance, Cornwall.
The new three-year partnership will see Thatchers Gold and Haze as the exclusive ciders sold at the Pirates’ stadium including the ITEC hospitality marquee as well as Thatchers branding being placed around the ground.
Thatchers Gold is the fastest selling draught apple cider in the UK. The company have previously had sponsorships with Bristol Sport, Bath Rugby, Yeovil Town FC, Somerset County Cricket and Gloucestershire County Cricket.
Start-ups to pitch to Seed Fund panel
Bristol-based “philanthropic project” The Seed Fund are hearing pitches from food start-ups at this year’s Speciality & Fine Food Fair from 2nd – 4th September.
A panel on the Food For Thought Stage will hear ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentations from nine entrepreneurs starting up food and drink businesses including Rathlee Distilling Company, Norty Puds and Made for Drink.
The panel will feature “food and drink heavyweights” including Renée Elliott, founder of Planet Organic, Paul Hargreaves from Cotswold Fayre and Rude Health’s Camilla Barnard.
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Wild Beer launch Sleeping Limes
Somerset-based brewers The Wild Beer Co. have launched Sleeping Limes, a new beer created using fresh lime and lager yeast.
Taking inspiration from their bestselling Sleeping Lemons, Wild Beer describe it as: “Clean and crisp with refreshing tangy limes and a moreish briny finish, this is our perfect summer beer. It originally took inspiration from Sleeping Lemons and the beautiful preserved lemons we use, but the idea developed into a cleaner beer, taking the Corona and lime wedge and stepping it up a notch.”
They reckon the 4.7% ABV beer would pair well with Mexican food and also South East Asian cuisine. Launched in 330ml cans, Sleeping Limes is available from wholesalers such as Nectar Imports and Cave Direct and nationally through Matthew Clark. for more details go to http://www.wildbeerco.com/beers/sleeping-limes/.
Duck fat in tubs for spuds
Premium bar snack producers Made for Drink are launching the Free Range Spud Tub, a 212ml jar of duck fat for cooking roast potatoes.
The producers state: “Duck fat is revered for its high smoking point making it the perfect oven companion for your prized tatties without leaving a heavy or fatty aftertaste.”
The Spud Tub is available for RSP £3.99 from Diverse Foods. Email dan@madefordrink.com for details.
Lillypuds launch new puddings for Christmas
Lillypuds has created a new range of desserts for Christmas including a Fairtrade pudding, a plum pudding with damson gin, a vegan Christmas pudding and two sticky toffee puddings.
The new Fairtrade pudding is available in 2 x 120g and 454g (£8.75, £12.95) and made in the traditional way. The plum pudding is a “deliciously-rich combination of fruit, stout, prunes, walnut and apple with an added kick from the damson gin (454g – £12.75).” The vegan pudding “is rich in fruit, contains less sugar, has no mixed peel and is blended with brandy and Clockwork Orange Gluten Free Beer. It is also gluten-free and comes in a 454g size.
The new Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding recognises the “need to offer something different to those who don’t eat traditional Christmas pud…[and] is made using sultanas, cider, cinnamon and apples with a delicious toffee sauce.” An all-time favourite, the sticky toffee pudding will also be available along with a salted caramel sauce and brandy butter.
For more information visit www.lillypuds.co.uk.
EQUIPMENT NEWS
Hubbard launch compact dishwasher
Hubbard Systems has launched the HF45 undercounter dishwasher, made by Comenda.
Measuring 600mm x 600mm x 820mm, it has a filtering system to minimise water consumption, and cycles that range from a 90-second fast wash to a 240-second eco programme.
Made from stainless steel, optional extras include an energy-saving heat recovery and steam condensing unit and a built-in water softener.
The Comenda HF45 is available through Hubbard Systems’ network of dealers. List prices start from £3758 +VAT.
Burco mull over Christmas drinks
Burco are introducing a range of manual-fill boilers and urns designed to serve mulled cider and wine over the festive season.
Offering variable temperature control and “simple plug-and-play operation and portability”, the units have a thermal cut-out system to stop them boiling dry. A removable lid means they can be refilled easily through the day and emptied and cleaned at the end of a shift.
Jon Usher, Head of Catering at Burco, said: “Mulled cider and wine is a great alternative for operators and can tempt customers in from the cold, particularly during the run-up to Christmas. As the market continues to see a rapid increase in sales, operators should plan to deliver a standout offering, featuring a quality product and using equipment that is both cost effective to purchase and simple to operate.
“Burco is a brand traditionally renowned for manufacturing quality commercial water boiling equipment; however our iconic urns and manual-fill boilers deliver a prime serve on a range of festive mulled drinks.”
For further information please visit http://www.burco.co.uk or call 0344 879 3587.
PROPERTY NEWS
Hampshire rural pub on market
The Yew Tree in the Hampshire village of Lower Wield, five miles from the town of Alton, has been brought to the market for £145,000 for the leasehold interest.
The 17th-century pub has period features, an open plan bar and a restaurant for 42 covers served by a commercial kitchen. Outside, the pub boasts a garden with around 50 covers and two car parks.
Richard Wood, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co, is handling the sale and comments, “The Yew Tree presents a fabulous opportunity to acquire a pretty village pub in an unspoilt rural location with a strong local following. The business is currently closed on Mondays giving a new operator the chance to build upon current trade by extending the opening hours. Subject to planning, there could also be an opportunity for a new owner to expand the site.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
September
Speciality & Fine Food Fair
2nd – 4th September 2018
Olympia, London
“Explore the UK’s leading industry showcase of fine food and drink.”
http://www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk/
Great Taste Golden Fork Dinner
2nd September 2018
InterContinental Park Lane Hotel, London
“The Great Taste regional awards, the Great Taste 2018 Supreme Champion and the Seed Fund Academy Champion will be announced at this prestigious event.”
https://gff.co.uk/
http://theseedfund.co.uk/
The 2018 Global Cheese Awards
6th September 2018
West Woodlands Showground, Frome, Somerset
“The prestigious awards take place during the afternoon, followed by an awards dinner.”
https://globalcheeseawards.com/
Taste of the West Awards Ceremony Lunch
13th September 2018
The Great Hall of Exeter University
“A fantastic networking opportunity for anyone involved in the South West’s thriving food and drink industry. The Champions of each product, hospitality and retail category, the 2018 Supreme Champion Product, the No. 1 Place to Go and the South West Producer of the Year will be announced at this event.”
https://www.tasteofthewest.co.uk/
Lunch! 2018
20th – 21st September 2018
ExCel, London
“A unique trade show that brings together the entire food-to-go industry under one roof.”
https://www.lunchshow.co.uk/
Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo
25th & 26th September 2018
ExCel, London
“The ultimate marketplace for restaurant and takeaway owners.”
http://www.takeawayexpo.co.uk/
Hotel & Spa Tech Live
25th & 26th September 2018
ExCel, London
“Connecting hotels & spas with the technology of tomorrow.”
http://www.hoteltechlive.co.uk/
Restaurant & Bar Tech Live
25th & 26th September 2018
ExCel, London
“The event for the technologies & innovations transforming the Restaurant & Bar sector.”
http://www.restauranttechlive.co.uk/
Hotel Facilities Management Expo
25th & 26th September 2018
ExCel, London
“Transform the way you manage your hotel facilities.”
http://www.hfmexpo.co.uk/
Restaurant & Bar Design Show
25th & 26th September 2018
ExCel, London
“The Restaurant & Bar Design show is the UK’s most comprehensive event dedicated to the very latest and most stylish designs for restaurants and bars.”
http://www.restaurantdesignshow.co.uk/
Coffee Shop Innovation Expo
25th & 26th September 2018
ExCel, London
“The UK’s leading event for coffee shop business owners.”
http://www.coffeeshopexpo.co.uk/
Street Food Live
25th & 26th September 2018
ExCel, London
“Street Food Live is Europe’s ONLY event dedicated to revolutionising your street food business.”
http://www.streetfoodlive.co.uk/