Catering in Scotland magazine is published bi-monthly with in-depth features, views and news for the Scottish catering,
hospitality and tourism industry. On this page we have the latest news to keep you constantly updated on the market.
On the left hand side of the page you can search our archived news which is stored monthly.
The Institute of Hospitality Scotland will host a seminar entitled 'Developing Your Business & Your Team' at The Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan, on 20th October 2009.
The event, which runs from 2pm to 5pm, will include presentations from the following organisations:
Institute of Hospitality Qualifications
VisitScotland
Scottish Enterprise Tourism Team
Hospitality Assured
Johnston Carmichael Accountants & Business Advisers
The event is free of charge but pre-booking is required: Email your name, telephone number & email address to IoHScotland@hotmail.com or call Rob Moore on 0777 177 8187
For more information on the Institute of Hospitality, visit www.instituteofhospitality.org
The Mystery Dining Company (TMDC) has created a new feedback system which aims to generate high-volume reports from actual customers.
TMDC's questionnaires help to determine customers' perceptions on elements such as service levels, food & drink quality, atmosphere and cleanliness standards. The information can then be used to identify where improvements or changes may be made.
According to founding director Sally Whelan, the service provides owners and operators with a useful insight into their businesses:
'Promoted at the point of purchase, the Real Customer Scheme's online questionnaire format is designed to both accumulate feedback as well as capture valuable profile and marketing data about the people you are serving,' she says. 'In most cases it encourages customers to interact directly via a company's own website.
'This approach of collating generic customer impressions and gauging how appealing the overall experience is for them gives operators a broad understanding of customer preferences and general areas where improvements can be made to enhance customer loyalty and increase spend-per-visit.'
The scheme, which is is currently on trial in a number of restaurant and pub groups, encourages customers to complete a survey through a range of means such as a discount vouchers or prize draws.
The National Galleries of Scotland has announced a new collaboration with the owners of Centotre cafe in Edinburgh. The Scottish Caf? and Restaurant at the National Galleries is being run in conjunction with Victor and Carina Contini, the husband-and-wife partnership from Cento Tre.
The restaurant's interior is also being redesigned by Annie and Lachie Stewart of ANTA, a family-run Scottish design and architecture firm.
Fiona Burrell, former principal of Leiths cook school, plans to open a new cookery school in Edinburgh's city centre. The Edinburgh New Town Cookery School will open in early December, offering classes specialising in life skills cookery.
According to Ms Burrell, the courses will offer something for every level of ability, from chefs and homemakers to students and food enthusiasts.
Scottish caterer Ginger Snap has been awarded Best Caterer of 2009 at the Scottish Event Awards 2009.
The awards were held at the Hilton Glasgow on 11th September, and celebrated the best businesses and individuals in the Scottish events sector.
Formed in 2006, Ginger Snap is a perthshire-based firm run by founder Tania Dixon.
Caterer.com joins with Scottish Tourism Forum to help Scottish Hospitality Businesses
Aimed at employers in the Scottish hospitality industry, the Hospitality & Tourism Skills Scotland Conference seeks to raise awareness of the industry as an employer of choice. Organised by Caterer.com and the Scottish Tourism Forum, and hosted by BBC broadcaster Shereen Nanjiani, the event will take place at Prestonfield in Edinburgh on 27th October.
Subjects covered by the speakers will include:
What makes your business attractive to jobseekers?
How to develop your people without spending your budget
How to keep staff turnover down even after the recession
How to tap into Government funding for training and development of your people
To book your place at the conference, register now for ?35 at www.htss.caterer.com
A new international catering show will take place in Sunderland on October 21st and 22nd.
Organised by CooperWhite Exhibitions, the North East Catering and Fast Food Fair will feature companies from throughout the UK and overseas, and is being supported by Sunderland City Council.
Around 60 companies are expected to exhibit, including coffee producers, commercial vehicle suppliers, pie-makers, bottled water suppliers and catering insurance providers.
Visitors will include catering firms, sandwich shops, mobile caterers, restaurants, pubs and hotels.
Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: 'This is a fantastic marketing opportunity for the city's businesses in the food and drinks supply chain, and will create a platform for them to exhibit their products and services to potential customers.'
The event is due to take place on 21st and 22nd October at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, and is free to attend.
Visit www.cooperwhite.co.uk for more information.
Edinburgh restaurateur David Ramsden is to launch underdogs in Edinburgh's Hanover Street, later this year.
The Dogs restaurant achieved a Michelin Bib Gourmand less than a year after opening in March 2008, and was followed up with (a)more dogs in May of this year, also on Hanover Street. underdogs is set to open towards the end of September/early October, and accordingly to Ramsden will 'provide more space for diners at the dogs and
(a)more dogs to enjoy a drink before or after dinner'.
'We also believe it will be enjoyed as a bar in its own right,' he said.
Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, has announced he will be leaving the association in July 2010, after the general election.
Mr Cotton will continue to take an active part in the industry and will remain chairman of the Hospitality Skills Academy, president of Hospitality Action and a member of the board of Springboard UK.
'By the time of the general election, I will have been chief executive for more than ten years, so the election of the new government in 2010 is an appropriate time for me to step down and hand over the reins,' he says.
The association will begin the search for his successor later this year.
