World-famous restuarant El Bulli is to become a non-profit foundation from 2014 after a two-year closure, announced chef and owner Ferran Adria on Monday at the Santiago Gastronomic Forum. The Catalan restaurant, with three Michelin stars and winner of the S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurant four years running, is set to become a “foundation for all avant-garde gastronomy lovers… a breeding ground for new ideas and for new talents.” Adria will offer scholarships for chefs and... ...Read more »
The latest ABS retail trade figures show that sales in December fell 0.7%, seasonally adjusted, although restaurant and takeaway outlets were big winners. Sales declined in every category except Cafés, Restaurants & Takeaway Food Services - where sales surged 2.5%, continuing on recent positive sales trends for the sector. Restaurants and cafés had a difficult end to 2008 and start to 2009 but an economic resurgence has helped many return to more prosperous times. High levels of consumer confidence... ...Read more »
The award-winning Transport Hotel, home to one of Melbourne’s best restaurants - Taxi, is set to be sold by owners the Sovereign Hotel Group. The Group announced their intention to sell today, with the Transport Hotel - including Taxi Dining Room and Transit Cocktail Lounge - and Feddish Bar and Restaurant all set to have new owners. “The decision to capitalise on this investment will strategically position Sovereign Hotel Group to develop further growth opportunities with other assets... ...Read more »
Consumers, cafés and restaurants need to be aware of the potential health risks associated with eating poorly handled raw egg products, NSW Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan has warned.The advice was issued following confirmation of a Salmonella outbreak associated with a food retailer in Albury that saw over 130 people reporting to local health authorities with food poisoning symptoms after eating at the outlet. Some of the victims required hospitalisation. “Investigations by NSW Food... ...Read more »
El Bulli, consistently voted as the world’s best restaurant over recent years, will close for two years as chef Ferran Adria looks to lighten his 15-hour a day workload. The Spanish chef, widely regarded as the father of molecular gastronomy, will close his famous restaurant in 2012 and 2013 but is likely to return. “No meals will be served at El Bulli in 2012 and 2013,” he told a shocked audience at culinary conference Madrid Fusion. “With a format like the current one it... ...Read more »
Emerging global cuisines are opening up a whole new world of culinary experiences to consumers of all ages due to the nearly infinite range of ingredients, forms and flavours they offer, according to Emerging Global Cuisines: Culinary Trend Mapping Report from the American-based Center for Culinary Development (CCD) and Packaged Facts. According to CCD, leading emerging global cuisines include Peruvian, Moroccan, Korean, and Japanese. Driven by a host of forces, such as immigration, international... ...Read more »
Pro-Visual Publishing is encouraging members of the restaurant and catering industry who did not receive their copy of the 2009/10 edition of Restaurant and Catering Australia’s Guide to Food Safety and Hygiene to get in touch with them to receive the free chart. This year’s Guide, which was sent out to coincide with November’s Australian Food Safety Week, explores correct and appropriate procedures that assist in good workplace hygiene and food safety. It also delves into the topic... ...Read more »
As the New Year begins, talk has turned to trends for the coming year and there are some interesting on-trend food products entering the mainstream in the US that could yet make an impact in Australia. The Center for Culinary Development (CCD) and Packaged Facts, trend trackers in America for the last six years, have made five predictions of specific food product trends that will be a topic of conversation for food professionals in the year ahead. Using their 5-stage Trend Mapping technique - Stage... ...Read more »
Sushi, gourmet burgers and superfruits have been listed among the top food trends of the last decade, according to editorial staff at the American-based Food Channel (foodchannel.com). Below are their opinions on the decade that was 2000-2009, with a perspective on top trends, top flavours and the leading news stories. Top Ten Trends Sushi Bacon Cupcakes Sliders Gourmet Burgers made with Kobe or Angus Beef Superfruits such as Acai, Pomegranate and Blueberry Oils, such as olive oils and truffle... ...Read more »
Retail sales rose a further 1.4 per cent in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported today, with ‘food retail’ (+1.6%) and ‘cafes, restaurants & takeaway food services’ (+1.1%) both performing similarly to the broader retail market. The strong figures surprised analysts, who were expecting a figure closer to 0.4% or o.5%. “The strong November retail figures shows spending may be starting to realign with consumer confidence,” Margy Osmond, CEO... ...Read more »