May has passed us by in a heady mix of product launches, video campaigns, strategy sessions and of course, sunshine. It may have been a busy one but that hasn’t stopped us getting up to all sorts of high jinks, both during, and outside of, office hours. Some of our favourite finds from the last month include…
I’ve been lucky enough to explore most of Italy over the years but Puglia, right down in the heel of Italy, had evaded me. That changed in May this year, when, thanks to a friend’s wedding, we had the perfect excuse to visit and turn the weekend into a holiday. With a week to explore and a car rental sorted, I appointed myself chief navigator* and we made our way from Brindisi to Ostuni to Monopoli by way of Polignano a Mare. Puglia is olive grove country – the region is Italy’s largest producer of olive oil – and the scenery makes for beautiful road trips. Olive oil is the base for many of the regional dishes and it will come as little surprise that everything we ate was outstanding, made with super-fresh ingredients for some delicious meals.
Just recently, British Baker released its annual Bakery Market Report, 2025.[i] Â Taking a deep dive into the trends across bakery and coffee shops, as well as the top 75 businesses in the market, this report is a great analytical review that can help operators tap into consumer demands and improve performance.
On the 21st May 2025, Courtney and I headed into Clapham for the hottest ticket in town – the CLASS Bar Awards!
What better way to spend a sunny Wednesday afternoon than glamming up for a night out in London and celebrating the achievements of those lucky enough to win a coveted CLASS Bar Award.
If there’s one thing I’m especially good at, it’s spending money. And well, I can’t think of anything I’d rather spend it on, on a Friday night, than dinner out, and a few drinks.
Now, I’ll be honest, I do have a soft spot for The Plough Inn in Cobham. Not just because they ask for my ID every time I go, but because I used to work there. Many years have gone by since the days of Eat Out to Help Out (in a 40-degree summer no less) and of course menus have changed and staff have moved on, though it’s still got its charm, and a beautiful garden terrace. I do credit The Plough Inn (owned by Rarebreed Dining) for properly introducing me to the world of steak. Prior to my twenties, I was the horrid sort of child who used to order a steak… well done.
I recently sat in on a Mintel webinar looking at the financial mindset and spending trends of British consumers over the last few years.
Set against the rather bleak context of a struggling economy, inflation remains stubborn, not quite dropping to the Bank of England’s 2% target. Whereas most consumers were once confident with their financial status – partly due to Covid-19 as opportunities to spend declined, today’s environment sees the majority of Brits either ‘getting by’ or feeling the pinch. It’s not all doom and gloom though, as these results are an improvement on 2024, but consumers are exercising caution.
As a leading foodservice agency, we never miss the Arena Savoy Lecture, which is a highlight of the foodservice calendar. This year was no exception as Kate Nicholls, OBE, CEO of UK Hospitality and Karl Atkins, CEO of Foodbuy Group and Alex Demetriou, CEO Foodbuy UK&I (the UK’s leading food procurement company) headlined the night as they shared their take on the market to the gathered foodservice professionals.
It’s the on-trend flavour of 2025 and it’s been embraced at all levels from the high-end indies to supermarket shelves. A beloved ice-cream flavour, we’ve seen it gain new levels of popularity over the last few months. Native to Central Asia, the U.S, Iran and Turkey are the leading producers of the nut that everyone is going crazy for – pistachios.
April has been and gone and, in its stead, spring has most definitely sprung. Sunny weekends and a late Easter has meant talk of alfresco eating has started in earnest and there’s a definite sense of summer on the horizon.
Last night, the Hilton London Metropole played host to one of the most inspiring evenings in the foodservice calendar – the 2025 Public Sector Catering Awards! A packed room of industry professionals came together to celebrate the unsung heroes who keep our vital services running with passion, purpose, and phenomenal food. From care homes to hospitals, schools to prisons, and even our armed services these catering professionals are relied upon to keep our country running.
Calling all food lovers! If you, like us, enjoy top-notch street food, celebrity chef demos and live music, food festivals are a must-visit.
The UK has endless opportunities for food lovers to get out and about and experience a diverse range of cuisines, with everything from gourmet dining to sizzling street food on offer across the country. Whether you’re into Michelin-starred cuisine, BBQ feasts or artisan delicacies, there’s a festival for every palate. Here are a few you might like to sample in the coming months…
When social media is driving flavour trends and the economic landscape is ever-changing, it can be tricky keeping up with what’s hot. The main question is, how can operators meet demand, bring something new to the table, and tempt customers through the door. With the help of Lumina Intelligence and an insightful snapshot led by Tim Price, we’ve summarised what’s leading out-of-home at the moment, and what to keep an eye on in the coming months.
 HFSS has been hitting the news a lot recently. Journalists, government advisors, food and drink brands, as well as health officials have all joined in the conversation, but with so much chatter, are you clear on what is going on?
Below, we’ve prepared a small* summary on what HFSS is, what laws are coming in and who they might affect.
Highly anticipated, Arena’s sold out Spring Event, was its first of 2025 and it did not disappoint. Arena provides foodservice industry professionals with a fascinating day of learning, networking and thought provoking discussion on the issues that matter.
Taking place at the Sofitel London St. James, myself and fellow bean, Senior Account Executive Alvi Tysall –Â along with 200 attendees – gathered for the morning session to find out how the hospitality industry was shaping up.
Presented by Jill Livesey – MD at Lumina Intelligence we were first given a frank take on an industry still in recovery, the sectors performing, food trends to watch out for and predictions for the future.
As part of our never-ending mission to stay up to date with food trends and developments in the market, we recently embarked on a food safari through Elephant and Castle organised by Lumina Intelligence. We spent the afternoon discovering a diverse mix of flavours, cultures, and culinary gems. Each stop offered something unique, showcasing the rich food scene in this vibrant part of London.
For those who find themselves in the Gen X category, or even some of you Boomers, I am sure you will recall Hotelympia. Well, it may not be called that anymore, but that hasn’t stopped HRC (it’s current moniker) celebrating an incredible 90 years! Over that time, it’s true that much has changed across the hospitality industry, but the one thing that hasn’t is the fact that at its heart it’s a people business. However much technological advances can help drive guest experience and operational efficiencies, people will always be at the core of hospitality. Which is why it was so good to head up to the ExCel with fellow bean Clare Freeman to check out in person not one, but the four co-located shows: IFE, IFE Manufacturing, The Pub Show and HRC.
