PubChef has teamed up with Délifrance UK to launch a search for the UK's best pub sandwich. Chefs are challenged to create an extra special ham, BLT, egg mayonnaise or their own personal sandwich recipe as part of the Pub Sandwich of the Year 2005 competition. The winning entrant will receive prizes that include a weekend for two in Paris with £100 spending money and a winner's plaque. The competition aims to celebrate Britain's affection for the sandwich, which sees the nation munch through eight billion of the snacks every year. Please send entries to Jo Bruce, Pub Sandwich of the Year Competition, PubChef, William Reed Publishing, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9RT.
Snow sends profits plunging
Severe snow has resulted in a profit freeze for gastro pubs in areas hit by February's Arctic weather. Food pubs in Yorkshire have reported a dip in business as temperatures plunged to freezing and 10cm of snow fell across the region at the end of last month. TJ Drew, proprietor/head chef at the Appletree Country Inn at Marton, North Yorkshire, said: "During Sunday lunch we had more than half of our bookings cancel because of the severe weather. A lot of regulars and tourists are staying away and our takings are definitely down."
Beer with food backs charity
Chefs from London's top eateries have backed beer with food after selecting a German brew as the mealtime beverage at the Leuka's 2005 charity dinner on 7 March. Duckstein, a speciality beer from Carlsberg UK, will be served to 190 guests at the "Whose Cooking Dinner" event, which raises money for Leukaemia sufferers. London's top chef talent including Antony Worrall Thompson at Notting Grill, Notting Hill, and Philip Howard at the Square, Bruton Street, Mayfair, will cook up a beer-accompanied meal for £500 a head. Duckstein's dinner-enhancing attributes include a low gas content to avoid bloating and an ability to cut through fat, oil and salt, according to Carlsberg UK. For more information call Leuka on 0208 767 2987.