- The winners of the inaugural National Restaurant Awards Rising Stars have been revealed. The future stars of the hospitality sector were recognised earlier this week at an inaugural National Restaurant Awards Rising Stars lunch. Sponsored by HG Walter, OpenTable and Square, the awards revealed the class of 2025, which comprised 24 chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and front of house people from restaurants across the UK.
- Modern Chinese restaurant Hakkasan will close the doors of its original Hanway Place location in London later this week after nearly a quarter of a century in business. Owner Tao Group Hospitality gave no reason for the closure but said in a statement: “After 24 years of culinary excellence and unparalleled service, the original Hakkasan on Hanway Place will bid farewell with its final service on Friday, 28 February. Fortunately, our cherished guests can continue to savour signature dishes — such as our iconic Peking duck with caviar — at eleven locations worldwide, including our flagship Mayfair London restaurant near Berkeley Square.”
- D&D London will change its name to The Evolv Collection in April. A spokesman for the London-centric group said that it was an ‘appropriate time for the company to evolve into its new corporate identity’. It’s subsequently been announced that that former Rare Restaurants boss Martin Williams will join the group as CEO as it rebrands to The Evolv Collection.
- Chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud will each oversee a signature restaurant at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch when it launches in 2026. Owner Hilton says the collaboration marks an ‘exciting step’ for its upcoming central London property as ‘the historic building is restored back to its former glory ahead of its unveiling as a world-leading luxury hotel’. The pair - who hold seven Michelin stars between them - are described as the hotel’s chef partners.
- Just Eat Takeaway.com is to be acquired by Dutch investment group Prosus in a €4.1bn deal that will see the food delivery platform delist from public markets in Amsterdam. The all-cash offering will be worth €20.30 a share for holders of Just Eat Takeaway’s Amsterdam-listed shares, representing a 22% premium on the highest value of its stock over the past three months. The offer was unanimously supported by Just Eat Takeaway’s management and board.