WSTA conference to focus on engaging consumers

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association's annual conference will focus on the role branding, innovation and digital communications play in engaging with consumers in today's wine and spirits world.

Ethos to offer vegetarian wine list to London diners

A new vegetarian restaurant boasting not only a meat-free menu, but a vegan and vegetarian wine list is to open in London in September.

Jayke Mangion on the story behind setting up a restaurant in an old Clapham public toilet

Vinoteca hand-picked to open its fifth site in new Kings Cross development

Vinoteca, the award winning London restaurant and wine bar chain, is working with property agents at the new Kings Cross retail development to open a tailor made site in February 2015.

Vinoteca to offer Riesling by the glass straight from 20-litre kegs

Vinoteca, the London chain of wine bars and restaurants, is introducing what it claims will be the first Riesling to be sold by the keg in the capital.

Hakkasan teams up with WSET to provide first dedicated sake training course

An increasing demand for sake amongst UK consumers is not being met by the trade, according to Christine Parkinson, head wine buyer at the Hakkasan restaurant group, which has recently put the sommeliers in its London branches through a new WSETdedicated sake course.

Top chefs team up for Indian cycling challenge to raise money for Action Against Hunger

Leading chefs and members of the drinks and hospitality  industries are to cycle across 400 kilometres of Rajasthan in India to help raise money for Action Against Hunger.

Skye Gyngell to open first standalone restaurant at Somerset House

Skye Gyngell, who made her name at the Petersham Nurseries Café, is to open her first solo venture,Spring, at Somerset House in London in October.

Imogen Taylor on "exciting" white South African wines and making it as a young sommelier

Douglas Blyde talks to the 22 year-old sommelier of Greyhound at The Test in Stockbridge who says it was not her father of Stone Vine & Sun fame that inspired her to take up a career in wine, but getting her hands dirty out in wineries around the world instead.

Geronimo airport pubs offer travellers phone chargers

Pub and bar operator Geronimo Inns will offer customers complimentary phone chargers at its Heathrow pubs to allow them to recharge and comply with new airport security rules.

World Cup boosts pub drink sales, but food suffers

The World Cup provided a 2.4% sales boost for wet-led pubs, but branded restaurants faced flat sales while pub restaurants saw revenues slide compared to June last year.

Special Yorkshire liqueur recreated in honour of the Brontë family

Sir James Aykroyd, former chairman of Speyside Distillers, has recreated a special liqueur in honour of the Brontë family and their home in Yorkshire.

The Ledbury named as London's "Ultimate" restaurant for third year running

The Ledbury has scored a hat-trick of wins in the Ultimate Restaurant List 2014 which picks its winners based on an aggregate of all other dining awards and ratings.

T.E.D signs up ethical wine suppliers for new sustainable restaurant

Bibendum's launches 15-strong sake range for UK on-trade and independents

Last week marked the offical launch of Bibendum's new range of sakes to the on-trade and independent merchants in the UK.

Herman ze German's cheeky World Cup offer

The CP had thought the days of Stan Boardman and his "ze German" jokes had been confined to history. But that was until we came across the London eaterie, Herman ze German, which has been quick to send out news alerts urging people to head to its outlets this Sunday and enjoy the World Cup final with a bratwurst or two.

Frescobaldi family to open first UK restaurant

Acclaimed Italian wine family, the Frescobaldis, is to open its first standalone restaurant and wine bar in the UK.

Draft House to launch new beer and cocktail bar concept

London craft beer bar chain Draft House is launching a beer and cocktail bar concept with a DIY micro-distillery below its flagship site on the south side of Tower Bridge.

BrewDog opens 20th bar at its headquaters

BrewDog continues to dominate the UK craft beer scene is opening its seventh bar this year and its 15th bar in the UK called DogTap at its headquarters in Aberdeenshire.

Spanish restaurant chain, MasQMenos, opens in London

MasQMenos, the Spanish restaurant chain, is to open its first UK site in Holborn in London offering what it claims will be "Spanish gastronomy in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere".