The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, has discovered American consumers are gradually becoming more willing to change their purchase behaviour and shift from their regular shopping stores as the credit crunch takes its toll. In July, 34 per cent of consumers stated they would not change their purchase behaviour; down from April when 42 per cent suggested they would do nothing different. “This 8 point drop represents billions of dollars in sales that are not being injected... ...Read more »
A new community kitchen, which assists in boosting the number of skilled hospitality workers while also helping disadvantaged members of the community, was opened today by Victorian Premier John Brumby.The kitchen - an initiative of Youth Projects Incorporated, a not-for-profit body funded by Victorian, Commonwealth and local government grants - will provide training opportunities in hospitality and health promotion while also providing food for disadvantaged people in the local community. Mr Brumby... ...Read more »
Forbes has released a list showcasing the ten leading celebrity chefs by earnings per year, with a number of unfamiliar names to Australians popping up. Gordon Ramsay surprisingly only came in at number three, behind American TV chef Rachael Ray, with a reported US$7.5 million in earnings a year. The figure appears conservative for the Scottish chef who has gained global notoriety for his shows “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Kitchen Nightmares”. Ramsay’s range of restaurants... ...Read more »
The notion of calorie counts on restaurant menus has polarised opinion in the US, as California appears likely to follow in the footsteps of New York and introduce controversial calorie count legislation. New York introduced a law earlier this year which requires calorie information to be shown next to items on the menus of restaurant chains with over 15 stores. The restaurant industry is against the plans as they feel the implementation of such legislation unfairly singles them out as the prime... ...Read more »
More than one-third of American consumers (35 per cent) report they are eating or buying dinners out less frequently than one year ago as the need to offer an edge to the value offering becomes pivotal for restaurants. Foodservice consultants Technomic advise that money issues dominated the reasons for decreased patronage; 77 per cent of those cutting back are doing so to save money, while 59 per cent said they have less money to spend and 46 per cent cited the price of restaurant meals. “It’s... ...Read more »
Limited-service restaurants have reduced the number of beverage items on their menus compared to last year to ensure maximum profitability, reports foodservice consultants Technomic in the new Beverage Consumer Trend Report. The greatest drop occurred in customised beverages like specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. At the same time, there has been a corresponding increase in limited-time only (LTO) beverages. “Limited-service operators are rationalizing their offerings to focus their regular... ...Read more »
The Lexus Appetite for Excellence awards were held in Sydney last night with chefs and waiters from Melbourne and Adelaide scooping the pool in the Young Chef and Young Waiter of the year awards. The awards, which have been running since 2005, reward some of Australia’s up and coming talent in the restaurant industry. Only those under the age of thirty can be considered for the awards. Each Australian state is represented with one finalist, with the decision on the winners being chosen by... ...Read more »
The retail industry has been bruised by sagging consumer sentiment and increased costs and, while this has heralded a 6-year low in quarterly retail turnover, the implications on food have so far been mixed - according to new research by Freshlogic. Martin Kneebone, a director of consultancy firm Freshlogic, says that slimming household budgets are prompting a noticeable move toward cheaper meal options. The eating-out food market may lose as much as $3b in annual consumer spending, part of which... ...Read more »
Jacques Reymond has been bestowed with the honour of Lavazza Restaurant of the Year at the 2008 Restaurant & Catering Victoria Awards held on Tuesday night, with Delaware North - Melbourne Zoo taking the honours as Caterer of the Year. The award completes an outstanding year for the Prahran restaurant, with recognition earlier this year in The Age Good Food Guide 2008 as Victoria’s only ‘three hat’ restaurant. Thirty-two categories were represented by the awards, with a posthumous... ...Read more »
The City of Perth will ban smoking in alfresco dining areas within its boundaries from July 1 next year.The Council has given in-principle support to making licensed dining areas on pavements and other council-owned land ‘smoke free’. Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi, indicated the health and enjoyment of diners were the prime considerations in the Council’s decision. “The Council cannot ignore the documented health risks associated with the passive inhaling of tobacco smoke,”... ...Read more »