Gordon Ramsay: “Influencers are the most powerful critics on the planet today”
They are loved and loathed in almost equal measure by the restaurant industry, but the world’s most famous chef is unequivocal about his respect for influencers.
Archives for February 18, 2026
Uncorked: Jefferson Goldring
The head sommelier at MOI and ALTA operator MAD Restaurants on Jamie Goode, the new wave wines of Jerez and Marcel Juge’s Cornas.
Flash-grilled: Nicolás Einersen
The head chef of Chilean restaurant Mareida on pairing white wine with pineapple ice cream, Icelandic chef Gísli Matt and Swedish meatballs.
Vietnamese kitchen Ladudu opens at Grand Union in Wembley
Coinciding with the Chinese New Year, a new independent Vietnamese restaurant has opened at Grand Union’s canalside community in Wembley.
Government moots dropping minimum wage pledge amid record youth unemployment
The Government is considering scrapping its pledge to pay young people the same minimum wage as older workers, amid warnings the cost of labour is contributing to record youth unemployment.
Bill’s to open largest site in a decade as sales pass £100m mark
Bill’s will open its biggest site in more than a decade on the back of a strong performance in 2025.
Good vibrations: Charlie Mellor’s Soho second act
The creator of The Laughing Heart is back with Osteria Vibrato, a 45-cover Greek Street trattoria that is looking to offer the ‘most mind-blowing hospitality in town’.
People on the move: February 2026
This month’s roundup includes a new general manager at the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House and a string of promotions at Beaconsfield restaurant The Greyhound.
PICK.YOUR.OWN. to open second site in Broadgate
City-based grab-and-go concept PICK.YOUR.OWN. (P.Y.O.) is set to open its second location at Broadgate this March.