In this week’s news we take a look at the UK food inflation and the rise in salmonella outbreaks. On a lighter note we celebrate the winners of this year’s Cateys 2022 Awards and the forthcoming launch of Brewdog’s largest bar.
The Grand crowned Hotel Group of The Year
Congratulations to this year’s winners of the prestigious Cateys 2022 Awards. Food Alert was very proud to sponsor the Best Hotel Group category, which was won by The Grand, York. Through investment, innovation and strong leadership the 207-key, five-star hotel has seen revenue at an all-time high. In such challenging times it’s great to see businesses like The Grand and runners-up in the category – Conrad London St James, Fairmont, St Andrews, Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa and The Caledonian, Edinburgh – enjoy success with a focus on delivering fantastic guest experiences, staff development and giving back through CSR and environmental initiatives.
UK food inflation v the rest of the world
We have all been impacted by the sharp rise in food costs – whether as an operator or consumer – but this piece from The Grocer shows it’s not just a British problem. While food inflation at home is now at 8.6% and rising, the picture is starker closer to Russia. Inflation in Lithuania, Bulgaria and Hungary is running at over 20%. Greece, Spain, Germany, Denmark and the US are all experiencing higher rates of inflation than the UK but that doesn’t mean we have hit our peak. The IGD estimates food inflation will hit 15% this summer and bank Citi is predicting a rate of a little over 20% during the first few months of 2023. Tough times look set to continue but that’s why keeping tight controls on food compliance and rotations is critical when it comes to minimising waste and order management.
Salmonella increasing in UK meat
A dangerous strain of salmonella is becoming more common in meat in the UK, unpublished government records show. Test results obtained by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) and the Guardian reveal a rise in poultry products contaminated with salmonella infantis, with raw and processed meat found to be affected. Beef, pork and animal feed have also tested positive for the bacteria, which can cause serious illness that sometimes proves fatal. Robin May, the chief scientific adviser of the Food Standards Agency, said: “The risk of people getting salmonella infections through handling and consuming contaminated meat, including breaded chicken products, is very low so long as good hygiene and cooking practices are followed.” At Food Alert we can help manage your food safety and hygiene practices from our technical support services to our digital compliance tools, including Alert65.
BrewDog hopes for a hit with Waterloo bar launch
Scottish brewer and Food Alert client, BrewDog, has confirmed that it will be opening its largest bar in the world in London’s Waterloo next month (18th August). The 27,500 sq ft venue, spans across two floors and will also feature co-working spaces, a micro-brewery, a Grind café and a retro ice-cream van serving Hackney Gelato. Further additions include a cocktail hideaway, curated by London mixologist ‘the Cocktail Guy’ Rich Woods, and a fully equipped podcast studio as part of the Waterloo Podcast Project. BrewDog Waterloo will also be one of the first bars to open since the publication of the company’s ‘BrewDog Blueprint’ in May, which stated that half of profits made by each venue will be shared directly with on-site staff. We can’t wait to check it out!