Hotel Operations

🍴 The Waterside Inn, a three Michelin-starred restaurant in Berkshire, reported a pre-tax loss of £181,000 for the year ended 31 December 2023, a downturn from the previous year's £814,000 pre-tax profit. Turnover slightly increased from £9.016 million to £9.064 million compared to 2022. Rising staffing, energy, and food costs were cited as the reasons for diminished profitability. The restaurant runs another establishment, Roux at Skindles in Maidenhead, and has implemented a tronc system and improved pay structure to retain staff. Future risks include UK income growth, consumer confidence, staff shortages, operational costs, political events, and currency fluctuations.

🔥 New barbecue fusion food truck, Sí Baby-Q, opened in Austin on May 4, featuring a 125-seat patio. Chefs Simone Tong, Matt Hyland, and pitmaster Jonathan Lagos collaborate, offering dishes like mala-spiced pulled lamb shoulder, brisket with Indonesian long pepper, and SXSE smoked chicken using post oak for a milder smoke to complement South Asian spices. Menu also includes sandwiches and creative sides such as queso y pepe and smoked kimchi, alongside beers, seltzers, and sakes.

📈 All-day café and restaurant group Loungers reported a 24.7% increase in revenue to £353.5m and a 25.9% rise in adjusted EBITDA to £59.6m for the 53 weeks ending 21 April 2024. Profit before tax surged by 56% to £11.4m, while operating profit grew by 37.7% to £20.3m. In January 2024, Loungers opened its 250th site in Rochdale and launched 36 new venues throughout the year. The company created 1,200 jobs and invested approximately £39m across the UK, aiming to reach 665 sites. CEO Nick Collins cited consistent sales growth and improving margins for the record profits.

🌀 NOAA predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes—averages are 14, 7, and 3, respectively. Hurricane Beryl, downgraded to a tropical storm, hit the Texas Gulf Coast causing power outages for over 2.5 million customers. The Texas Restaurant Association advises operators on disaster preparedness and recovery, offering resources from Ready.gov, Floodsmart.gov, and outlining pre-storm to post-storm strategies for business continuity.

🍴 Located at Henrietta Experimental hotel in London’s Covent Garden, the Parisian-inspired restaurant Henri is a collaboration between Experimental Group and chef Jackson Boxer. Opening follows Cowley Manor Experimental's success. Menu features Parisian bistro cooking with snacks and entrees starting at £4 and larger dishes from £15 to £30. Cocktails named after French icons and a French-focused wine list. Interior combines Art Nouveau and British pub elements, paying homage to the historic market. Henri contributes to London's trend of rustic, accessible French bistros.

📖 Chef Paul Ainsworth, after his dessert featured on the Great British Menu banquet in 2011, is releasing his first cookbook "For the Love of Food," reflecting his culinary journey and his move to Cornwall. Ainsworth, proud of the diverse offerings at his three eateries—The Mariners Public House, Caffè Rojano, and the Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No6—aims to showcase this diversity in his book. Despite economic challenges, Ainsworth's establishments are thriving, focusing on both fine dining and casual culinary experiences. "For the Love of Food" is published by Pavilion Books with an RRP of £26.

📖 Chef Paul Ainsworth released his first cookbook "For the Love of Food" after his "A Taste of The Fairground" dessert featured on the "Great British Menu" banquet in 2011. The book reflects his culinary journey and includes recipes from his career, inspired by his move to Cornwall. Ainsworth owns three different eateries: The Mariners Public House, the Italian Mediterranean Caffè Rojano, and the Michelin-starred flagship Paul Ainsworth at No6. Despite the challenging financial climate, his businesses are thriving in Cornwall. "For the Love of Food" is published by Pavilion Books with a retail price of £26.

🍝 Chef Director Ben Tish releases his fifth cookbook, "Mediterra," covering the entire Mediterranean basin. The book highlights regional cuisine from Spain, France, Slovenia, Croatia, and more, aimed at home cooks. It includes unique twists on classics and lesser-known dishes like Croatian fritules and Palestinian knafeh. "Mediterra" spans 304 pages, with must-try recipes like Baked crab with Oloroso and marjoram, published by Bloomsbury for £26.

🍝 Chef Ben Tish releases his fifth cookbook, "Mediterra," offering a comprehensive guide to the Mediterranean basin's cuisine. The book, retailing at £26 by publisher Bloomsbury, spans 304 pages and is divided into Northern Shores, Eastern Shores, Southern Shores, and Islands, with recipes from less known dishes like Croatian fritules to twists on classics like gnocchi with bottarga. Notably, Tish directs the kitchen of Cubitt House and has a history with Norma, Salt Yard Group, and Al Duca. Recommended: Baked crab with Oloroso and marjoram.