The CODE Bulletin

Dear

Three years after launching the CODE app, we’re just about to launch a new and improved version. We came up with the idea of the app which, for those who don't have it, is a passport to exclusive deals in a huge range of restaurants and bars. At CODE we think it’s so important for everyone working in the industry to be able to experience hospitality. It’s vital – both on a professional and personal level – that we all take inspiration from places we eat and travel to.

The updated app will also have a greater lifestyle section with a focus on hotels, allowing app members the opportunity to book a room at special industry rates. We look forward to hearing your feedback.

Have a good week.

Adam

KooKoo

Good news for Camden, which many think is not as well served as it might be. The team behind fish restaurant Hook this week launch a lunchtime deli-diner, KooKoo, offering stacks of imaginative healthy food. It’s open from Thursday, 11am to 6pm Monday to Friday for takeaway and eat in.

24 The Oval

The latest in a wave of great-sounding neighbourhood restaurants has just opened and aims to put SW9 on the map. 24 The Oval is the idea of investor Matt Wells, who has brought in chefs Simon Woodrow from Wild Honey and Paradise Garage, and George East from The Dairy. The menu of elegant modern (large) plates sounds like a winner.

Monocle

CODE applauds any enterprise that champions our industry and so greets the news of a new food magazine with interest. This month Monocle is launching an annual called Drinking & Dining Directory, priced £10, which promises to do much more than recommend restaurants. There will be comment, analysis, an awards and advice for those setting up their own food business.

Omotesando

Coffee culture will reach new heights if the news that Eater London reported last week are true. The cult Japanese coffee shop Omotesando had a branch in Tokyo (now closed) in which one barista focused solely on one customer (no names scribbled on a paper cup here). The company has vinyls on a shop front in Rathbone Square. Watch this space…

Opening...

Next week sees the official launch for Oklava’s next adventure, Kyseri. Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie will open their Turkish-influenced restaurant on Grafton Way on 24 May, promising pastas, traditional bakes and a wine list inspired by the region. Meanwhile over in Kensington High Street, a new cultural centre, Japan House London, opens on 22 June and will have an eponymous restaurant from chef Shimizu Akira, promising an ‘immersive encounter with Japanese food’.

...and closing

Chef Vivek Singh has announced the closure of the Cinnamon Soho restaurant, part of the group portfolio – while promising growth for its other brands: Cinnamon Kitchen in Battersea Power Station opened earlier this year, and the original Cinnamon Club remains a Westminster favourite. And much to the dismay of its loyal following, Covent Garden’s Native announced last week that it is to close ‘imminently’.

Who will win?

Not long now till the finals of the British Cured Meat Awards – the inaugural celebration of the producers making great bacon, bangers and beyond. The final judging, in collaboration with the Guild of Fine Food, will take place at the Cured Meat Festival (which has demos, tours, music and lots of food) in Borough Market on 27 May. Tickets are available here.

Who won?

Last Thursday night saw the sixth annual Fortnum and Mason Awards and, as in previous years, the great and the good of food and drink gathered to toast some very worthy winners. No surprise that the brilliant Sportsman snagged cookery book of the year, or that the public vote for best personality went to Nadiya Hussain. CODE congratulates all the winners.

Sam Harrison

Great news for Riverside Studios in Hammersmith – veteran restaurateur Sam Harrison has plans to open a new independent site, Sam’s Riverside, when the complex reopens after redevelopment in February next year. Sam sold his previous Balham and Chiswick restaurants and is ready for the new challenge of a Thames-facing 90-seater brasserie.

Richard Turner

The line-up for this year’s carnivore’s carnival Meatopia has been announced, and it’s a good one. Of course one of Britain’s godfathers of meat cookery, Richard Turner, will be there (repping Hawksmoor), but look out too for some other great names, including Ali Borer, David Carter, Andrew Clarke and Sam Bryant. Meatopia is 31 Aug-2 Sept.

Karen Kochevar

The fast-growing Danish bakery brand Ole & Steen has appointed a new director of its board. Karen Kochevar was previously based in the US with the Union Square group (including Shake Shack) and brings much experience of roll-outs.

John Barber

Last week we reported that John Barber had been appointed executive chef of Bar Boulud in the Mandarin Oriental London. CODE would like to clarify that Barber has been with the company for nine years.

Business Developer, Natoora

Delivering truly seasonal produce to over 500 restaurants, we count amongst our customers some of the world’s most talented and forward-thinking chefs - we strive to offer a service to match.

Natoora is committed to revolutionising the supply of fruit and vegetables whilst shaping the future of food. We are looking for a business developer to work with the head of sales on new account openings.

Click here to read more and apply

Pastry and Sous Chef, The Good Egg

The Good Egg celebrates the cuisine of Tel Aviv’s street food stalls & the flavours of the Middle East, as well as the food sold in the classic Jewish delis, grand old cafés, appetizing stores + bagel bakeries of New York & Montreal.

We’re hiring for two positions in the kitchen – we’re on the lookout for people with the right combination of character, experience and ambition to fit into for our small and fun kitchen team.

Click here to read more and apply

Grace Dent reviews Hide, Mayfair

Tanya Gold reviews Indian Accent, Mayfair

Sat Bains: 'We are a working-class two Michelin-star restaurant'

My kitchen essential: ‘I’d be lost without . . . a peeler’

Mon 14 May

Tues 15 May

Thomasina Miers x Jonathan Zaragoza Mexican Supper Club

Weds 16 May

Thurs 17 May

#BakeForSyria Charity Pop-Up

Fri 18 May

Loire Valley Wines x COYA

The industry is no stranger to Gary Usher’s antics on Twitter and the chef restaurateur was on fine form last week following an incident that ended in a member of the public trying to diss his restaurant Hispi. “Who names a restaurant after a cabbage anyway?”. To which Usher calmly replied, “Savoy?”

To the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink awards on Thursday evening. The Dumbwaiter’s favourite Claudia Winkleman was back again to host with a little help from comedian Jimmy Carr. Laura Whitmore, Lisa Snowdon and Piers Morgan brought a little celeb action to the industry crowd that included Grace Dent, a very healthy looking Tom Parker Bowles and Russell Norman who was sporting an unstructured Barena linen blazer and waistcoat. You can take the man out of Venice…

We all know the saying. How do you make a small fortune in the restaurant industry? Start with a large fortune. Well, it’s good to see that’s not the case for everyone as yesterday’s Sunday Times Rich List had a healthy amount of hospitality names on it including Nick Jones, Tim and Kit Kemp and Richard Caring.

From Lewannick to London Bridge. Click here for the Dumbwaiter’s best bites of the week.

Hakkasan Hanway Place

Sunday - Friday | 25% off total bill

Cahoots

Every day | 30% off drinks