Despite a fragile economy, American consumers continue to see alcoholic beverages as an affordable indulgence. The Nielsen Company offers its outlook on alcoholic beverage trends as the critical holiday season approaches: Restaurants and Bars Hurting With consumers staying in and entertaining at home more often, the on-premise sector - restaurants, bars and nightclubs - is facing serious challenges. Consumers are going out to eat less often, as evidenced by a recent Nielsen survey, where two-thirds... ...Read more »

Tokyo has solidified its reputation as a gastronomic capital, after again receiving more Michelin stars than any other city. The Michelin guide to Tokyo was released overnight, with the Japanese capital increasing their number of coveted stars to 227 spread across 173 restaurants - an increase of 36 stars and 23 restaurants on last year. The Michelin guide awards restaurants of high quality with either one, two or three stars, with three meaning the restaurant has “exceptional cuisine”... ...Read more »

Research identifying greater concerns for the restaurant industry, as a result of a downturn in consumer spending, compared to other food industry sectors, appears to be on the mark. The latest retail trade statistics from the ABS highlight the strain any further consumer cost cutting could put on restaurants. Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services represented the worst performed industry sector in the September quarter, with a 0.6% drop in the trend. Food retailing, meanwhile, had the largest... ...Read more »

Gordon Ramsay, one of the world’s most popular chefs, is set to provide a further boost to the culinary options at Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne. The list of fine dining options at Crown already includes Nobu, Bistro Guillaume, Rockpool, Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons and the brasserie by Philippe Mouchel. Ramsay’s ‘Maze’ restaurant will open in early 2010 in Crown’s third hotel - which is currently under construction. Maze, which is in operation in New York,... ...Read more »

An Auburn business fined for allowing live vermin in a food storage area is one of a further 23 businesses to have made it onto the Food Authority’s pioneering name and shame website this week, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today. “From today, the website shows the details of 253 food businesses in NSW that have received fines for 401 violations of food safety laws,” Mr Macdonald reported. “In the four months since the site was launched, the Authority is publishing... ...Read more »

Australian pizza franchise Eagle Boys has recognised the need to develop a new store model in order to thrive in small towns.Called the “Local Store Model”, the new range of franchised stores will be established in towns with a population of between 2,500 and 5,000 residents. The stores will have a smaller store footprint, and open for fewer hours (4.30pm to 9pm daily) with an optional delivery service but will still offer the same menu. The new model is part of the company’s robust... ...Read more »

Generation Y (those born between 1976 and 1990) is the largest, most culturally diverse demographic group in history. Until now, their food and beverage preferences were largely unknown. New American research from the Center for Culinary Development (CCD), a leading food and beverage product development company, discovers the culinary preferences of this powerful market. The power of Gen Y lies in its numbers. Generation Y, renowned for being savvy consumers that dine out more than any generation... ...Read more »

The Counter, a rapidly expanding American burger chain that enables consumers to build their own burgers, is coming to Sydney in December. At the innovative restaurant consumers are given a clipboard upon entry and asked to choose the ingredients they desire on their burger from an extensive list. The selection process begins with the decision of the type of burger - Angus beef, grilled chicken, turkey or veggie. Then one of ten cheeses, four out of a range of 28 toppings and one of 18 sauces can... ...Read more »

Restaurants may be moving beyond big steaks and even bigger spenders. As financial woes grip the US and consumers tighten their purse strings Mintel Menu Insights reports that more restaurants are promoting “value” on the menu. Through Mintel’s newly enhanced Menu Insights* database, director and registered dietitian Maria Caranfa sees more restaurants from fast food to fine dining promoting quality menu items for lower prices. She thinks it’s a wise move: “Foodservice... ...Read more »

Chadstone Shopping Centre - Australia’s largest shopping centre - will officially open its new Fresh Food precinct comprising 12,600m2 of retail space tomorrow (Friday 31 October). Chadstone, in Melbourne’s south-east, is now home to 55 new food retailers including Simon Johnson, Tangelo Fine Foods, jones the grocer and Oriental Tea House, and prominent supermarket retailers Woolworths and Aldi. The array of quality food available is expected to see consumers flock to the centre in search... ...Read more »