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Dear
Ruth Rogers of the fabled London restaurant The River Cafe recently won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the GQ Food and Drink awards. After praising her loyal team, Rogers went on to talk about the importance of staff in restaurants feeling valued, having a voice and enjoying what they do.
It’s something we feel incredibly passionate about at CODE. The days of verbal and physical abuse are luckily starting to become a thing of the past. But speak to any restaurateur and the importance of staff retention is just as pressing as getting bums on seats. Over the summer, we’re going to do a survey – currently named ‘happiness in hospitality’ – that will look beyond just pay and delve into the more qualitative aspects of working in this industry. We’ll then publish the findings in the autumn issue of CODE Quarterly and online. Watch this space for more info.
CODE Hospitality
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Market Halls
It’s causing quite a buzz down south, and now the people behind the three Market Halls openings in London are planning a York site. Simon Anderson and Andy Lewis Pratt have registered their interest in Stonebow House for a ‘hall’ of multiple kitchens and operators. The first to open is in Fulham, south west London, and while there is no confirmed date for York yet, Liverpool has been mentioned too and the company plans to open 10-12 sites in total.
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Roxy Ball Room
The energetic Jones Bar Group is poised to open a second site in Leeds next month, on Merrion Street. Pool, ping pong, beer pong, arcade games and more will be on offer, as at the existing Boar Lane Roxy Ball Room. The new space, which was formerly Bar Soba, will open in mid-June with a monster amount of room for games, but also big screens… just in time for the World Cup.
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G&J Distillers
A new experiential drinking venue is promised if G&J Distillers’ plans are approved. The brand hopes to open a gin school and distillery in Manchester’s Lloyd Street, where visitors can see gin being made, learn about its history and, well, drink it – a 50-seater bar and a small live music room complete the package. If approved, this room will be named the Thomas Dakin Amicable Club and the entire enterprise will focus on the gin brand of the same name.
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The Florist
Promising “Instagrammable cocktails” may not appeal to everyone (a new London cafe aimed at social media was recently derided), but there is much about the new branch of The Florist that sounds genuinely photogenic. There are two large trees, a bloom-based photo wall and sweeping staircase – and when the smartphones are put down, there’s a deli, rotisserie and grill dishes, plus more than 60 beers and those cocktails. The Hardman Street, Liverpool site joins Bristol for the New World Trading Company.
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Potting Shed
Harrogate is the location for a new opening of the Potting Shed brand. The bright, bold bars, operated by Burning Night Group, are already in four other towns and the next venue will continue the same theme – family (and dog) friendly, with wooden sheds, bench seating and a wide range of food and drinks on offer. Potting Shed opens its doors on 25 May and the group are already eyeing a sixth branch later this summer, this time in Leeds.
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Mr White's English Chophouse
After a launch in London’s Whitechapel, the chophouse concept fronted by Marco Pierre White has opened in Manchester. Black and White Hospitality operates five brands with the chef but it's the English Chophouse that it plans to roll out to further branches specialising, it says in “authentic, simple dishes”. The city-centre branch is within the Velvet Hotel, on Canal Street and is open Wednesday to Sunday.
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Gary Usher
He’s the king of crowdfunding, it seems, but now chef restaurateur Gary Usher has set himself a mammoth new task. For his fifth opening, Pinion, in Prescot, Usher will launch a campaign to raise £50,000 – but here’s the twist, it lasts just 24 hours. Those who want to support the transformation of Prescot’s old BetFred office into one of Usher’s elevated-neighbourhood restaurants should set their alarm for 7pm on 29 May.
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Tom Kitchin
News from Scotland, and it’s a major one – the celebrated chef and restaurateur Tom Kitchin is opening a pub with rooms, The Bonnie Badger. Together with wife Michaela, he’s taken over a 12-bedroom site in Gullane on the east coast and plans a menu of elevated pub classics focusing on Scottish ingredients. No opening date yet, but sounds like one to watch for a delicious mini-break.
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Head Chef, Sous Chef & CDP, Where The Light Gets In
We are looking for inspirational chefs to work in our strong and enthusiastic kitchen team.
Successful candidates will be responsible for maintaining the high and innovative standards of the cuisine, whilst encouraging the already high morale and progressive work environment.
Daily contact with Sam Buckley (chef-owner) on creative flow and operation will give support to the role.
Click here to read more and apply
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Head Waiters & Cocktail Bartenders,
20 Stories
March 2018 saw the opening of D&D London’s first Manchester restaurant, 20 Stories. Situated 100m above ground, the glamourous rooftop restaurant on the 19th floor of the No.1 Spinningfields building offers unparalleled 360-degree views of Manchester’s city skyline.
We are looking for a passionate and dynamic team members who can confidently deliver exceptional high-end service to our guests.
Click here to read more and apply
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Thurs 10 May
Mon 14 May
Mon 21 May
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Thurs 24 May
Tues 29 May
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Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg is bringing his burger restaurant to the UK. Along with his brothers Paul and Donnie, the first of a planned chain of Wahlburgers will open in Covent Garden later this year. And if you don’t get a chance to catch the Wahlbergs at the London opening, The Dumbwaiter hears that they will regularly be beamed in to large screens in the restaurant to chat to diners.
David Beckham celebrated his birthday last week in London. The Dumbwaiter is always keen to see where Beckham dines, usually with a glass of Sassicaia in hand, and it seems the choice this year was the fancy new Annabel’s club. Posh.
It's a long way from a cavern to a riverbank... After receiving the insignia of the Companion of Honour at Buckingham Palace last Friday, Sir Paul McCartney celebrated with a lunch at London's River Café (see intro letter).
Click here to read The Dumbwaiter's best bites of the week.
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