For the first News Bites of 2022 we take a look at calorie labelling heading on our way in April, raise a toast to chef Angela Hartnett who has been recognised in the New Year Honours, identify seven restaurant trends and the race is on for this year’s Publican Awards 2022.
Does calorie labelling make menus healthier?
From 6 April 2022 venues serving food and drink in the UK are going to have to introduce calorie and nutrition labelling on menus (both printed and online). But will the legislation have the desired effect and make us choose healthier options and for operators to introduce lower calorie items? Evidence from the US suggests it will. Such legislation has been mandatory in the US since 2018 and research by Harvard Chan School of Public Health, found that since its introduction large restaurant chains have introduced new healthier meals. To find out more about Calorie Labelling and how to prepare for the new legislation download our free guide here.
New Year Honours for Angela Hartnett
Congratulations to renowned chef Angela Hartnett – and Food Alert client – who was recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours with an OBE. Hartnett, who received an MBE in 2007, was recognised for services to the hospitality industry and to the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, Angela has campaigned for a minister for hospitality and highlighted the impact of government decisions on restaurants, pubs and hotels. During the first lockdown in 2020, she set up non-profit charity Cook-19 to create and deliver meals to NHS workers. She was among 54 chefs who contributed to the Chefs at Home cookbook in aid of Hospitality Action in 2021, as well as becoming a patron of the industry charity. She said: “It’s just amazing to achieve this and it could not have been done without the teams, past and present, at the restaurants.”
7 restaurant trends that will define 2022
It seems labour saving technology is going to be the big investment driver in 2022 for restaurants according to US based research. Automation is seen as the solution when it comes to balancing labour pressure, off-premise demand and rising costs. As restaurants brace for continued labour struggles, more operators will invest in technology that makes them less reliant on employees, minimize costs and maximize efficiencies, experts said. To find out how labour saving digital compliance software, Alert65, could help your business, click here.
Publican Awards 2022 finalists announced
It’s that time of year again when the Publican Awards finalists are announced. We are thrilled to see Food Alert clients in line for the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, including REKOM UK, Urban Pubs and Bars, Cahoots and Rockwater Group. We are also proud to be category partners at this year’s awards for Best Brewing Pub Company. Good luck to everyone where the overall winners will be announced at a glittering reception on 30 March 2022 at Evolution, London.