In April last year we sadly lost a convenience retail legend and all-round top bloke Raj Aggarwal who was taken all too soon by Covid 19. He was just 51. The following day Raj’s father also sadly died.
There’s no question that the hospitality industry has had it tough this past year. From lockdown closures to re-opening with restrictions and social distancing considerations, the hospitality industry has constantly had to re-think their business strategies in order to survive.
The last year has been a struggle for everyone. Not being able to go out and socialise with family and friends in a pub or restaurant, staying at home eating and drinking too much, trying to keep yourself sane and keep yourself from putting on the weight whilst binge watching series on TV. With all this in mind, to hear that Hospitality Action are setting a challenge for 2021 called ‘To Hell and Back’ to raise funds for the hospitality industry, I was more than excited to get involved.
That’s the first thought I had when Fiona asked us to put into words why we’re rising to the challenge of Hospitality Action’s fundraising initiative, ‘To Hell and Back’.
No-one needs reminding of the hellhole that was 2020 and whilst recovery is still very much in its infancy, it does at last feel as though we may be heading towards some form of normality.
It all kicked off this week when 12 European football teams, including the Premier League “big six” teams, decided to create a breakaway European Super League.
I’m sure like most of us you have upped your ‘step’ game during lockdown, with not much else to do other than go for a stroll as a way of socialising or for a change of scenery. You’ve possibly also joined the ‘fitbit’ gang, with most of us setting ourselves the 10,000 steps a day goal. I’m now putting this new habit to good use by supporting Hospitality Action’s 2021 initiative ‘To Hell and back’ to raise funds for the hospitality industry, alongside my fellow beans.
It has been one hell of a year for the hospitality industry (excuse the pun) so when I found out about Hospitality Action’s 2021 ‘To Hell and Back’ challenge to raise funds for the hospitality industry, I was more than happy to get involved!
The latest in Arena’s #AskArena series featured a panel discussion focussed on re-opening right when it comes to B&I contract catering. With a stellar line up including Allister Richards, COO, CH&CO; Hamish Cook, Head of Group Food Services – Global Operations, ISS; Rajat Chawla, Commercial & Business Excellence Director – Northern Europe, Aramark; Phil Sanders, Out of Home Commercial Director, Britvic Soft Drinks and JP Kloppers, Managing Director, Yoyo.
I visited Berlin a couple of months before the Covid pandemic hit, back in November 2019. Whilst I was there, the city was celebrating 30 years since the fall of the Berlin wall, a wall that divided families and loved ones for almost thirty years. I highly recommend Berlin, not just for its fascinating history, but also for its fantastic food. Below I will take you through a whistle-stop tour of the dishes I tried, tested and loved (and a couple that I didn’t have time to try but wish I had).
Anyone who knows jellybean knows that when it comes to a physical challenge – sometimes even a reckless endeavour – we love to step up to the plate. Whether it’s climbing mountains, long distance cycling, running, golf, competitive baking, or simply having five fully grown humans stand on your shoulders in the freezing cold and rain as they try to scale a treacherously wet and slippery wall (my back’s not been the same since Tough Mudder), we’ve taken it on with aplomb and raised cash for some amazing causes into the bargain.
Here’s a round-up of some of 2021’s best food and drink related April Fools campaigns. From the ridiculous new product inventions to general all-round silliness that we loved this year.
Slowly but surely the hospitality industry is restarting after the pandemic. Like everyone, especially those whose livelihoods directly depend on the sector, we hope the easing of restrictions will be permanent.
When you think of Spain and Spanish cuisine, what are the first thoughts that come to mind? Paella? Tapas? Sangria? Me too, but Spanish cuisine consists of so much more than just paella and tapas (although they can never be ignored), and in recent years people have come to celebrate the extraordinary flavours and variety of produce that the cuisine has to offer.
Having supported Hospitality Action as part of the legendary bean team for nearly twenty years, not to mention having recently become a Hospitality Action Ambassador, their latest fund raising initiative Hell & Back offered up the perfect opportunity for me to do my bit. Not to mention the fact that jellybean is proud to be an official sponsor, no less!
As I’m fairly new to the ‘bean team’ and learning about the amazing work that Hospitality Action continuously do, I’ve been eager to dive head first into their 2021 initiative ‘To Hell and Back’ to raise funds for the industry that means so much to us all. Together with 16 of my teammates, we are committed to travelling 535 miles to contribute toward HA’s immense 30,000-mile total between 10th – 18th June, through walking/running and cycling (though I think by June 18th, quite a few of us will be crawling toward that G&T at the finishing line).
Thank you to #AskArena for another fascinating virtual event, discussing the road to recovery for Wholesale. Here are some of my take outs from the session:
Pre-Covid the food to go (F2G) sector was outstripping the market. A hub for innovation and an ever-growing sector with players as diverse as McDonalds and LEON. MCA’s latest Food to Go Conference looked at how the sector has been affected by the past year and its prospects for recovering in 2021 and beyond. Here are our top takeouts from the day:
It never ceases to amaze me that the guys at jellybean are always up for a new challenge. No matter how busy they are juggling workload with a hectic home life, even if it eats into their personal time and requires them to go outside their comfort zone. Whether it’s a 100-mile bike ride, running a marathon, completing the moonwalk, taking on the 3 peaks challenge, or devoting time or expertise to a charity initiative – the beans will rise to the occasion with enthusiasm, commitment and determination. All whilst having fun as a team and enjoying the banter and camaraderie along the way.
Hosted by Public Sector Catering Magazine, as part of their PS100 Club, this webinar focused on how the public sector can ensure the government listen when it comes to key issues around public sector catering, food and farming.
