Sager and Dzelzainis concoct category-breaking Mexican spirits

A partnership between Michael Sager and Marcis Dzelzainis of London venues Sager + Wilde, together with East London Liquor Company’s Alex Wolpert, has resulted in a range of category-defying Mexican spirits entitled El Destilado.

On-trade wine trends for 2019

Marston’s team create bespoke Boutique-y gin

Teams at Marston’s Rotisserie outlets throughout the UK were called on recently to submit their ideas for a bespoke gin for the pub group.

Restaurant numbers fall 2% in a year

UK restaurants are on the slide, according to the new edition of the Market Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners.

Joe Fattorini: Is your wine list upside down?

Not only is your wine list upside down, but you haven’t dropped your anchor. Joe Fattorini shares more wacky wisdom on the psychology of sales

NZ Sommelier Scholarship participants announced

New Zealand Winegrowers has confirmed 18 recipients of its 2019 International Sommelier Scholarship, designed to encourage on-trade ambassadors for the country’s wines.

Rigging the game

Less is often more when it comes to turning a profit says consultant Sean Finter, a master at optimising returns from on-trade businesses. Harpers tuned in to his message at Bar Convent in Berlin. 

UK hospitality sector continues to grow despite Brexit concerns

The UK hospitality sector has turned over in excess of £100bn for the first time and now employs 2.35 million people.

William Grant & Sons offers bartender training

William Grant & Sons’ UK Brand Ambassador team is offering training to bartenders at its first ever Unwrapped: The Other Side of Bartending event in Edinburgh on 29 October.

Pied à Terre leads petition for business rates to be abolished

Philip Hammond is being urged to abolish ‘debilitating’ business by some of the UK’s leading restaurateurs.

Big interview: Charlie Stein, wine buyer, The Vintner and Rick Stein Restaurants

Straddling both on and off-trade and with a famous family restaurant group behind him, Charlie Stein chats to Andrew Catchpole about life in the wine trade

Tipping point

The government has revealed plans to help ensure hospitality workers get all the tips left for them, but reactions to the news were mixed, reports Michelle Perrett.

Diageo identifies low and no alcohol as number one trend for 2019

Diageo’s The Future of Drinks trends session at its World Class global bartending finals in Berlin earlier this week predicted that low and no alcohol alternatives would continue to grow, with younger consumers driving the change.

Ditch vanilla approach to engage millennials

On-trade operators at Bar Convent were urged to ditch a “vanilla” approach in favour of taking a more political stance with the brands they pour and activities they run.

Hart brothers drop new restaurant in Kings Cross

DROP

Sake and Beyond partnership heads to Soho

SAKE AND BEYOND

Vinoteca Soho forced out by licencing difficulties

Vintoeca has called time on its Soho venue after pressure from the local authority meant either changing its business model or closing its doors.

Gaucho brought back from the brink by investors

Ailing Argentinian steak chain Gaucho has been saved by its lenders, after falling into administration back in July.

Premium spirits worth 40% more to the on-trade at Christmas

The shift to premium spirits has happened and is here to stay, opening up a multimillion pound opportunity for the UK’s bars and restaurants this festive season.

Gaucho is a casualty of shifting social mores, say analysts

Healthy eating trends could be contributing to the demise of the casual dining sector as we know it, new research has boldly stated, while calling on the alcohol sector to be a force for change.