Sophie Witts

News Editor covering hospitality industry @Caterertweets. Ex @RestaurantMagUK @BigHospitality and words @independent @GamesRadar. [email protected]

Featured in: Favicon

thecaterer.com Favicon

independent.co.uk Favicon

gamesradar.com Favicon

foodnavigator.com Favicon

foodnavigator-usa.com Favicon

foodnavigator-asia.com Favicon

restaurantonline.co.uk

Articles

Karen’s Diner to close final UK restaurant

3 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

The last Karen’s Diner restaurant in the UK is to close at the end of June after two years of trading. The site on White Lion Street in London’s Islington was run under franchise and a decision not to renew its lease was made earlier this year. Karen’s restaurants became known for their deliberately rude waiters, with clips of them insulting customers racking up millions of views on TikTok.
‘We don’t play it safe’: Cycene mixes the avant-garde with experimentation

3 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

A weekly changing menu and a constant eye on rare and unusual ingredients make for a contemporary menu that keeps guests guessing until the end Taz Sarhane treats his menu as a constant creative challenge. The head chef at Michelin-starred Cycene in London’s Shoreditch changes a dish every week and says he is always testing and experimenting with new ideas. “This is not the kind of restaurant where we like or don’t like certain things,” he says. “We definitely don’t play it safe.
Alex Payne named chef patron at Sorrel

4 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

Alex Payne is to take over from Steve Drake as chef patron at the Michelin-starred Sorrel restaurant in Dorking, Surrey. Payne will step down from his role as executive chef at the Tudor Pass restaurant at the Great Fosters hotel after three years to join Sorrel on 16 June. Drake opened Sorrel in 2017 and the restaurant won a Michelin star shortly after.
Ashley Saxton leaves his role as director of restaurants and kitchens at Harrods

5 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

Ashley Saxton has left his role as director of restaurants and kitchens at Harrods after almost seven years. He joined the department store in 2019 and led a major overhaul of its hospitality offer, overseeing around 26 restaurants in the building and revamping its Dining Hall by partnering with big-name chefs including Jason Atherton, Tom Kerridge, and Gordon Ramsay. Saxton has yet to announce his next move, but said he was looking forward to “sharing news of my next adventure starting shortly”.
Kevin Brooke leaves general manager role at Heckfield Place

5 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

Kevin Brooke has left his role as general manager at Heckfield Place hotel in Hampshire after more than three years. The hotelier announced his departure on LinkedIn this week. He has not revealed the reason for his move or details of any future plans but said he was “immensely proud” of his time at the property.
Scandinavian hotel investors made £1.1b bid to buy Dalata hotels

5 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

A consortium of Scandinavian property firms has made a surprise bid to buy Ireland’s largest hotel group, Dalata Hotel Group, for €1.3b (£1.1b). Dalata has a portfolio of 55 hotels across Europe, the majority of which are in the UK and Ireland, operating under the midscale Clayton and Maldron brands. It is targeting further expansion and launched a strategic review ahead of a potential sale of the business in March.
Charlotte Weatherall named general manager at the Corinthia London

6 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

Charlotte Weatherall has been promoted to general manager at the Corinthia London hotel. It follows the announcement that long time managing director Thomas Kochs is to step down after eight years to return to Claridge’s. Weatherall joined the Corinthia as director of sales and marketing in 2022 and was praised by the hotel for delivering “outstanding financial results” while enhancing the guest experience. She will start her new role as general manager of the five-AA-red-star hotel on 1 July.
Patty & Bun was sold out of pre-pack administration for more than £500,000

6 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

Patty & Bun was sold out of pre-pack administration for more than £500,000, documents show. The burger restaurant brand appointed Leigh Consultancy as administrators on 25 March this year. The company’s business and assets were immediately sold to JG1 Limited, a company which names Patty & Bun’s founder Joe Grossmann as its sole director. The £500,690 sale included £23,090 for restaurant furniture and kitchen equipment and £2,895 for stock.
One-third of hospitality businesses now operating at a loss

6 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

One-third of hospitality businesses are now operating at a loss and are at risk of failure, according to a new study. Six out of 10 businesses have had to cut jobs, while 63% have had to reduce the hours available to staff to mitigate cost increases and keep trading.
Morley's wins trademark case against rival fried chicken chain

6 days ago | thecaterer.com | Sophie Witts

Morley’s then cited eight grounds of appeal, which were dismissed by the Court of Appeal last month. Morley’s, founded in Sydenham in 1985, has grown into a cult London brand and now operates more than 100 restaurants across the UK. It is known for its fried chicken and burgers and has featured in music videos by Stormzy and Krept, and the sign from its first branch was recently acquired by the Museum of London.