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Wishing all our clients and chefs a very happy and prosperous new year and we hope the next year is just as amazing as 2023!
The summer is upon us once again and if the last few weeks are anything to go by this one is shaping up to be another scorcher!
Thoughts inevitably turn to entertaining and outdoor eating and what better way than having a few friends around for a barbeque.
There are so many options now but we think its always best to keep it simple and wood fired barbeques are the hot trend.
The simple theme continues with the food, whether its chicken, beef or fish on the menu, a good marinade and fresh salads are the winning combination!
We can hardly believe it but today we celebrate 10 years of providing outstanding service.
It has been an amazing journey and not without challenges , Covid 19 and the cost of living crisis to name just 2 but like the hospitality industry, we have bounced back and are stronger than ever.
Since we started, we have delivered highly skilled professionals to all manner of clients ranging from care homes and schools to pubs, restaurants, hotels and prestigious sporting events. But we’re only as good as the hard working team that have been there for the journey and we owe them a huge thank you!
We would also like to thanks our loyal clients for their support as we look forward to the next 10 years!
Despite employers furloughing staff for over a year it appears that chefs in particular have either left the industry or have found positions elsewhere. The situation is made worse when the effects of Brexit are taken into account as staff from Eastern European countries in particular are now faced with red tape and visa restrictions in order to work in the UK again.
Whist we may have to face the reality that many skilled chefs have left the profession for good, the Government can help by ending the furlough scheme before September and relaxing the visa rules even if on a temporary basis.
Salaries across the sector have and will continue to rise to help attract more chefs back to the kitchens again and we remain hopeful that with Government help we will overcome the problem.
August was our busiest month since the start of lock down due to the Chancellors ‘eat out to help out scheme’
Some clients even reported having their busiest trading month on record! This comes as a much needed and welcome boost for our industry.
With the scheme now at an end, the hope now is that people have again become used to the idea of eating out and will continue to visit local food outlets whilst observing the social distance guidelines.
The future remains uncertain but we remain optimistic and ready to face the challenges as we move forward.
After almost 4 months of being forced to close, the hospitality industry came out of lockdown today. However, many in the industry believed that the 2 metre social distancing rule would be unworkable and the Government has now reduced this to 1 metre.
Whilst it is very welcome that our industry has opened up again, we are also aware that coronavirus is still with us and will likely be for some time.
In addition, many economists are predicting difficult times ahead with many business closures and job losses.
Despite this, we remain hopeful for the future and stand ready to support clients old and new when the need arises.
The outbreak of deadly coronavirus earlier this year in China has now sadly spread to every corner of the globe. It’s no exaggeration to say that the challenges we are now facing are comparable with the 2nd world war. Our NHS is under extreme pressure to cope with the demands of patients who’ve contracted the disease and everybody is extremely anxious for family and friends who may be at risk.
In addition, due to the lock down enforced across the country, the economy is likely to be badly affected. Many people fear for their jobs with businesses looking at some extremely tough times ahead. The hospitality industry is vulnerable whenever there is a downturn as quite simply people chose not to spend money in uncertain times.
Despite this,we can assure our clients and staff that it will be business as usual (albeit much quieter) throughout this crisis.
We look forward to happier times and urge everyone to stay safe and keep positive in the meantime.
We were all sad to hear the news that Michelle Roux Snr had passed away today after a long illness. Together with his older brother Albert, the Roux brothers became the godfathers of modern cuisine in the UK taking British food from the dark days of the 60’s and 70’s to the fine dining heights we see today.
There story began in the 1967 when the brothers opened Le Gavroche Restaurant on Lower Sloan Street in London’s West End.
The restaurant opened to high acclaim and a 2nd restaurant, The Waterside in Bray followed in 1974.
Both restaurants were awarded coveted Michelin stars with both gaining 3 stars confirming there reputation as the best in the world.
With Michelle Snr at the helm, The Waterside became the only restaurant outside France to have held 3 Michelin stars consistently over 25 years.
Among his other achievements, Michelle Roux Snr also set up The Roux Scholarship in 1984, and winners over the years have included many of today’s top chefs who themselves have been awarded Michelin stars.
Appearances on t.v followed along with a series of books which went on to become best sellers inspiring many amateur cooks to improve their skills and build confidence.
The loss of Michelle will be felt by countless chefs across the country today but his legacy is sure to continue thanks to the scholarship.
Michelle trained as a pastry chef and he always said this was his greatest passion. As a tribute, we will feature Michelle’s shortbread recipe on here. For me this tried and tested recipe sums up the great man and never fails to impress.
With its ancient city walls and narrow medieval streets, York has always attracted visitors from around the world. The list of attractions in the city is endless and includes many museums, galleries and sites steeped in history. The famous Minster is another landmark attraction that everyone should visit.
With so many tourists flocking to York, there are of course many pubs, restaurants and hotels to cater for every taste and budget.
In 2017 TripAdvisor voted the Black Swan at Olstead, on the outskirts of the city as ” The best restaurant in the world”
However, chef/owner Tommy Banks is not a man to rest on his laurels and has since opened a further award winning restaurant in the city.
It seems we need a good reason not to visit York these days!