FoodBriefs
Pub is most popular place for a meal
A new report says the pub remains the most popular place for UK consumers to have a formal meal. Research by market analysts Key Note said 81% of consumers have visited a pub for a meal at least once in the past year. Key Note predicts healthy growth for pub food in the next five years and said that with extended licensing laws and the smoking ban, pub restaurants will pose a larger threat than ever to other local restaurants.
FSA's £4m grants for food businesses
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has awarded grants totalling more than £4m to help food businesses, including pubs, comply with EU food hygiene regulations introduced in January. In England, 33 projects will receive the cash. Local authorities have been given the money to help about 23,000 small food businesses implement the "Safer food, better business" food safety management pack, offering simple, practical guidance for small catering and retail businesses.
Holiday is prize for top potato dish
Chefs are urged to devise inspirational potato dishes for the Great Potato Challenge 2007. The British Potato Council (BPC) is offering a £1,000 holiday voucher to the winning chef.
A new student chef category has been added to the main award for pub and restaurant chefs. Initial entries will be paper-judged and finalists will take their dishes to the ultimate test in a cook-off early next year. Entry forms are available from the BPC on www.potatoesforcaterers.co.uk
Pilot pubs clean up their act
The Food Standards Agency is piloting a scheme where pubs will have to display the results of their food hygiene inspections to customers. Around 40 local councils are due to take part in the scheme, called Scores on the Doors, starting in the New Year. The two-year London trial will be rolled out on a nationwide basis if it proves successful in raising hygiene standards in eateries.
