FEATURE: Four of the best – star pub chefs reveal secrets
A wave of star pub chefs is proving exceptional food and traditional pub values can go hand in hand – and drive serious profit.
Food Trends
Key food and drinks trends for pubs in 2026
Operators need to curate menus that offer comfort, adventure and tradition to resonate with consumers in 2026, a new report has revealed.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Milbury at Beauworth, near Winchester, Hampshire
The Milbury has been standing at the top of the chalk down known as Milbarrow Down, within the South Downs National Park, for 400 years.
Food inflation to hit autumn and festive menu planning
Food and drink inflation is set to bring challenges for operators during the autumn and into the peak festive trading period, hospitality purchasing company Lynx Purchasing has warned.
Pub chefs facing pressures over Christmas food supplies
Pub chefs could be facing significant pressures on supply and pricing in the lead-up to the busy festive period, which could see Turkey off the menu.
6 ways to make your food menu stronger
Name any fresh fruit or vegetable and there is a very good chance it first entered the UK through New Covent Garden Market (NCGM).
Is your menu up to date? Guide highlights bold flavours and global trends
Korean food, loaded fries and BBQ fusion dishes are all being tipped as the key trends for pub operators to have on their radar as the summer progresses.
Eating and drinking out ‘top priority’ for consumers
Consumers are prioritising dining and drinking out after a period of reduced activity, new research from accountants BDO has revealed.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Wildmoor Oak, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
The Wildmoor Oak is a site for those longing for good food in the Midlands.
Pubs reducing menus to boost efficiencies
Pubs are slimming down menus to boost service speed, cut waste and protect profits, according to the latest Lumina Menu Tracker.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Plough, Wombleton, North Yorkshire
Within the small village of Wombleton in North Yorkshire is the welcoming sight of the Plough pub.
The future of pub grub
Food trends, the importance of sustainability and consumer expectations were just three of the areas the Lock In team tackled in the latest podcast episode.
MY PUB
MY PUB: Heft, Newton in Cartmel, Cumbria
Set in the beautiful region of south Cumbria, Heft is the debut inn and restaurant of Nicola and Kevin Tickle.
Korean BBQ food brings ‘bold’ flavours to menus
Korean BBQ food can bring “big and bold” flavour profiles to pub menus.
‘No room for complacency’ despite drop in foodservice inflation
Food prices decelerated for a 19th consecutive month in January, but operators should remain cautious ahead of April’s tax rises.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Coach, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Anyone who likes great food will almost certainly have heard of the Coach in Marlow, which is operated by Tom Kerridge.
18 pubs retain Michelin stars but no new additions
A number of pubs have retained their prestigious accolades following The Michelin Guide Ceremony Great Britain & Ireland 2025.
FEATURE: Food trends
FEATURE: People still want to eat at pubs, give them a reason to visit yours
Whether you are a community pub with a value offer, a slick gastropub or a food-led operator, 2025 is set to be a challenging year for food operators.
M&A activity increases almost 30% within food and drink sector
Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity within the UK’s food and beverage sector increased by almost 30% last year, with the drinks segment accounting for a “significant portion” of deals.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Trout, Buckland Marsh, Oxfordshire
Located to the west of Oxford, the Trout in Buckland Marsh, is a dream location for those wanting to visit a pub on a river with little else nearby.
What will 2025 bring?
In light of the new year, The Morning Advertiser has looked ahead at key factors and trends set to impact the industry throughout 2025.
The Lock In Podcast
How to boost your business in January
The Lock In team take a look at how pub operators can boost trade in the misery months of January, with some extra special help from a rugby legend!
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Lamb Inn, Little Milton, Oxfordshire
Located in a thatched roof property, the Lamb Inn in the Oxfordshire countryside provides a blissful sight.
MY PUB
MY PUB: Victoria Oxshott, Leatherhead, Surrey
The Victoria Oxshott is a fine-dining pub-restaurant in a beautiful area of England.
James Cochran returns to Islington with new pub
Chef James Cochran is to launch a new bistro-pub venture in London’s Islington next month, close to his flagship 12:51 restaurant, which closed earlier this year.
OPINION
OPINION: I hope the Government has listened
I’m beginning to think hospitality and pub operators are the new bank of UK Government.
MY PUB
MY PUB: The Windmill, Chatham Green, Essex
Whether you’re visiting Chelmsford Racecourse or fancy a great experience at a lovely, rural pub, the Windmill in Chatham Green would be an ideal choice.
FEATURE – Food trends
FEATURE: Don’t rule out the summer food trends yet
Pies, casseroles, soups and roasts are the kinds of hearty, warming dishes pub chefs would naturally choose to put on their menus during the winter months.
Heston Blumenthal praises British pubs after GBPA win
World-renowned chef Heston Blumenthal has praised UK pubs after scooping the Great British Pubs Awards 2024 Best for Food category at his Hinds Head site.
Foodservice inflation fell to 2.8% in August
Foodservice inflation eased to 2.8% in the year to August 2024, down by three percentage points compared with the previous month.
A look at world flavour food trends
South-east Asian flavours are just one style of world food predicted to be big on menus across this summer and beyond, research has revealed.
Why is American smokehouse and BBQ style food becoming more popular?
The Morning Advertiser has been reading the smoke signals on what is driving growing consumer desire for smokehouse and American barbecue style food.
Lock In Podcast
Pie Hard (with a vengeance)
To pie, or not to pie, that is the question asked in this episode of the Lock In podcast, as the team lift the (pastry) lid on what makes the perfect pub pie!
The Lock In Podcast
What is a gastropub?
In a special recording of the Lock In podcast, live at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs event recently, the team took to the air in an attempt to define what actually makes a gastropub?
FEATURE - FOOD TRENDS 1
FEATURE: 10 food trends that will set you apart from others
Spring is gradually coming into view and that means saying goodbye to long cold nights and comfort food and hello to a whole new menu.
What’s in store for 2024?
Here at The Morning Advertiser, we’ve rounded up some of the key predictions for food, drink and entertainment at pubs in 2024.
Latest pub food trends revealed in new report
A new report from Lumina Intelligence has revealed how operators are adapting menus to drive spend while retaining value perceptions.
MY PUB
My Pub: the Red Lion, Freshwater, Isle of Wight
The Red Lion in Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight, is located in a building more than 1,000 years ago and is a foodie heaven for many.
Why are pubs hooked on fish and chips?
Fish and chips are a staple of the pub menu, but why is that? The Lock In team cast their net to find out where the tradition comes from and why it's such a popular menu item.
FEATURE - FOOD TRENDS
FEATURE: Food trends for winter
Shorts and T-shirts have finally been replaced by sweaters and sou’westers as the UK’s weather resumes its usual service following an unseasonably warm and dry September and October.
5 key food and drink trends for 2024
Consumers will be looking for adventurous flavours, healthy and hearty recipes and playful experiences from the on-trade in 2024, according to Bidfood’s 2024 Food & Drink Trends report.
On-trade visits in decline but average spend up
Eating and drinking out occasions in the on-trade saw year-on-year decline in the four weeks to 19 March 2023, the latest data from Lumina Intelligence has revealed.
Convenience and value driving consumer decisions
Convenience and affordability are driving consumer decisions when visiting on-premise venues, the latest Lumina Intelligence quarterly report has shown.
Food Trends feature
FEATURE: Why pricing is key to helping you sell on-trend dishes
Spotting food trends and creating dishes to catch the gastronomic imagination of customers is the fun side of developing a menu for your pub.
Making the most of your roast!
A great roast dinner is the cornerstone of many pub operations, and a cultural touchstone for many - but why is that? And what we are getting right or wrong when it comes to the classic dish. The Lock In team take a deep dive into the world of roasts,...
Burgers most popular new main dish on pub menus
Main course dishes accounted for the largest proportion of new items introduced onto pub and bar menus in Q4 of 2022, the latest Menu Tracker Tool from Lumina Intelligence has revealed.
FEATURE
FEATURE: What’s on the menu for food trends?
Christmas is round the corner. But with a cost-of-living crisis squeezing budgets, there’s little room for festive cheer with 40% of consumers dining out less frequently than usual. Operators can make sure their pub is the place to celebrate this winter...
2023 food and drink trends revealed
A nod to the past, ongoing consideration of sustainability and overseas inspiration are just three of the food and drinks trends operators should consider, research has found.
Increase in spend and numbers eating dinner at pubs
The number of people eating dinner at pubs has risen and their average spend during this day part has increased by 10%, according to data from Lumina Intelligence’s Eating & Drinking Out Panel.
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