Chef Reif Othman to lead CLAP into ‘new chapter’
High-prodile Dubai-based chef Reif Othman has been appointed to oversee the menu at international Japanese restaurant brand CLAP.
News
People on the move: June 2026
This month’s key appointments include new chef hires at rooftop restaurant CÉ LA VI, Isabel Mayfair, and Herts Pubs Company, alongside the appointment of a new sales and marketing director at Market Halls.
Four in 10 families plan to take advantage of Government’s Summer Savings scheme
The Government’s VAT cut for family days out is poised to give the UK hospitality sector a boost as consumers plan to take advantage of the cost savings, new data suggests.
Blend Family to open Elephant Exchange food hall
Food hall operator Blend Family is expanding its UK footprint with a site in London’s Elephant & Castle.
Jurkish partners with Ninety One for first East London residency
Jamaican-Turkish dining concept Jurkish is partnering with Ninety One Brick Lane to launch its first East London residency.
Latest opening: Isca
The owners of Borde Hill gardens have assembled a crack team of hospitality professionals to launch a big-budget, sustainability-minded restaurant on the former site of Jeremy’s.
Friday five: the week’s top stories
A joint venture with former Mangal II Chef Sertaç Dirik and restaurateur David Carter and two high-profile departures are amongst this week’s top news stories.
Wild Flor co-founder launches incubator platform for young food entrepreneurs
The co-founder of Hove restaurant Wild Flor has launched an incubator platform that will provide young food entrepreneurs with a fitted catering trailer for a six-month period.
Group behind Glasgow’s Cail Bruich partners with Machrihanish Dunes resort
Glasgow-based hospitality group Cultar has announced a new consultancy partnership with the Machrihanish Dunes resort in Campbeltown, aimed at enhancing the venue’s F&B operations.
Pip Lacey leaves Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Pip Lacey has left her role as executive chef at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery six months after its opening, Restaurant has learnt.
Uncorked: Iain Roden
The chef and co-owner of Isle of Skye restaurant Coruisk House on climate change, his love of Burgundy and how the pandemic revolutionised his wine list.
VATsTheProblem launches online shop for hospitality operators
An online shop with assets available for operators to use in their venues to encourage consumers to sign the petition to back 10% hospitality VAT has launched.
Landsec partners with German Kraft Brewery to relaunch Model Market in Lewisham
Landsec has announced a partnership with German Kraft Brewery ahead of the upcoming relaunch of Model Market at Lewisham Shopping Centre this summer.
Max Coen leaves Dorian
Chef Max Coen has left Dorian, the Michelin-starred Notting Hill restaurant he helped launch four years ago.
Copa Jerez returns for its 12th edition
Entries are open for international gastronomic competition Copa Jerez.
Morito in Hackney closes after a decade
Sam and Sam Clarke have closed the Hackney site of their tapas and mezze brand Morito after a decade.
Marco Pierre White confirms biopic has stalled
Marco Pierre White has confirmed that a planned biopic of his life, which was set to be directed by Ridley Scott, will no longer go ahead.
The art of the second act: Phil Howard on Elystan Street at 10
As his Chelsea flagship celebrates a big milestone, one of the greatest chefs the capital has ever seen explains how restraint - both on the plate and in the restaurant business more generally - has been key to the latter part of his career.
Yum! Brands sells Pizza Hut for $2.7bn
Yum! Brands has agreed to sell its Pizza Hut chain in a deal worth $2.7bn (£2bn).
Rain, rain don’t go away: drizzle makes diners’ heart grow fonder, study finds
The typical British wet weather has been found to be beneficial to restaurants after a study revealed that people enjoy their visits more when there’s drizzle.
Latest opening: Keller
The Fordwich Arms duo have opened a relaxed wine bar and restaurant in Whitstable.
Côte Brasserie introduces fish and chips for first time in menu revamp
Côte Brasserie has introduced its first-ever version of fish and chips as part of the biggest menu overhaul in the restaurant chain’s history.
technology
AmEx buys restaurant reservations platform TheFork
American Express (AmEx) has agreed to buy Tripadvisor’s restaurant booking app TheFork for $700m (£522.5m).
David Carter and Sertaç Dirik to open Soho Turkish restaurant
Chef Sertaç Dirik and restaurateur David Carter are joining forces to open a modern Turkish restaurant in Soho this autumn.
Scottish duo triumph at Toque d’Or 2026
Two students from Scotland have been revealed as winners of this year’s Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or competition.
Comment
Is Andy Burnham hospitality’s knight in shining armour?
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is wooing the hospitality sector with talk of support if he becomes PM.
Kraft Heinz seeks entries for Masters of the Menu 2026
Kraft Heinz is bringing back its nationwide cooking competition, Masters of the Menu, following its successful launch last year.
Inception Group to launch Guinness Saloon at new Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern
London-based hospitality operator Inception Group has revealed plans for a dedicated Guinness Saloon at its newest venue, Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern, opening in Covent Garden next month.
Hospitality sector hit hardest by inflation over the past decade
The hospitality industry has been the most impacted by inflation over the past decade, with pubs and bars among the hardest hit, according to new research.
TheFork’s payment app makes UK debut
Restaurant booking platform and restaurant management software provider TheFork has launched its payment facility in the UK.
Andreas Antona appointed MBE in King’s Birthday Honours
Birmingham-based chef and restaurateur Andreas Antona has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the hospitality sector and charity.
Simon Rogan awarded Outstanding Contribution Award at the National Restaurant Awards 2026
Simon Rogan has arguably done more than any other British chef in the past two decades to shape what appears on the plates of the country’s top restaurants.
Gail’s appoints its first international MD as it sets its sights overseas
Gail’s has signalled its intention to grow its brand overseas with the appointment of its first international managing director.
Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant heads to court to challenge eviction
Veeraswamy is taking legal action against the Crown Estate in a bid to remain at its Regent Street home after a century.
Technology
Dojo launches payments intelligence platform for hospitality businesses
Payments technology provider Dojo has launched a platform that turns card payments data into commercial insights for hospitality and retail businesses.
Hospitality equipment suppliers back industry call for 10% VAT
Foodservice and hospitality equipment suppliers have added their support to an industry-wide call for VAT in hospitality venues to be cut to 10%.
Club Prezzo racks up 500,000 sign-ups in its first year
Prezzo Italian’s loyalty scheme has had more than half a million sign-ups in the first year, according to the chain.
Friday five: the week’s top stories
Bouchon Racine taking the top spot at this year’s National Restaurant Awards and the relaunch of The Pem are among this week’s top news stories.
Georgie and Sam Pearman step away from Cubitt House
Georgie and Sam Pearman will step down from their roles as directors and co-chairs of Cubitt House Pubs following its recent acquisition by Young’s.
Trends
Norwegian Seafood Council encourages fish and chip shops to embrace street food trend
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) is encouraging fish and chip shops to take inspiration from street food trends to attract new customers and demonstrate value through menu innovation.
VAT campaign hits new milestone
A campaign calling for VAT on hospitality to be cut from 20% to 10% has surpassed 200,000 signatures.
Shrimp Shack to make nationwide debut
Seafood restaurant Shrimp Shack will open its first restaurant outside of the capital this summer.
Out with the old: Merlin Labron-Johnson’s The Old Pharmacy becomes The Pharmacy
Merlin Labron-Johnson’s The Old Pharmacy restaurant in Bruton is to relaunch as The Pharmacy, with two new head chefs at the helm.
Uncorked: Holly Purnell-Swan
The sommelier at Bristol’s Caper & Cure and Carmen Street Wine on women in wine, Vignobles du Paradis and going a bit too hard in Corbières.
Trends
London is enjoying a ‘taco renaissance’ as online searches for the dish surge
London is in the midst of a taco renaissance, with DesignMyNight reporting a 261% year-on-year growth in searches for the cuisine.
Popeyes partners with Applegreen to accelerate Republic of Ireland expansion
Popeyes UK and Ireland has announced a strategic partnership with retail business Applegreen that will see €6 million invested in opening Popeyes restaurants across the Republic of Ireland.
Coppa Club secures prime Thames-side site for latest opening
Coppa Club is adding to its Thames-side portfolio with the opening of a site at London Bridge.
Trends
Not joe Friday: Saturday is the biggest day for coffee consumption, data reveals
The UK’s love of coffee is increasingly becoming a weekend pleasure rather than a weekday boost, according to fresh research.
Restaurateur of the Year 2026 - Adam Byatt
The chef and restaurateur behind Trinity, Brasserie Constance and Bistro Union is one of the most respected figures in the industry
Comment
The VAT campaign has legs - we must not let inertia become the problem
The #VATsTheProblem campaign has got off to a strong start, now it’s time for the industry to ensure it keeps its momentum.