Good month bad month
Good month for
Pubs in Wales: First results suggest pubs have been busier after the smoking ban was introduced there last month. Operator SA Brains reported that total sales were in double-digit growth. Despite initial success, the operator has warned it is far too soon to judge the long-term ban impact in the Principality.
Polish food: According to Tesco, Polish cuisine is the fastest-growing type of ethnic food. Sales have risen ten-fold since Polish favourites like sauerkraut soup went on sale in the store five months ago.
Barbecues: It's time to get sizzling. National Barbecue Week runs from 29 May to 4 June. Visit www.nationalbbq.co.uk for recipe ideas.
Peach Pub Company and Hall & Woodhouse: Hall & Woodhouse pub the True Lover's Knot, in Blandford Forum, Dorset, and the Peach Pub Company have both been short listed for the National Business Awards.
Asparagus and Jersey Royals: These vegetables are now in season. For recipe ideas visits www.jerseyroyals.com and
www.british-asparagus.co.uk
Bad month for
Tilda: The UK's leading supplier of Basmati rice has been forced to raise its prices after supplies have fallen by a quarter. The company has reassured customers that despite the inevitable rise, Tilda Basmati rice will still only cost around 20p a portion.
Jamie Oliver's dad Trevor: Five men armed with baseball bats and hammers raided Trevor's pub the Cricketers in Clavering, Essex. Jamie has offered a £150,000 reward to help catch the robbers who stole up to £10,000 from the pub were he learned to cook.
Junk food manufacturers: Over 200 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion to protect kids from junk food adverts before 9pm. The move follows new laws on junk food advertising that some MPs think are too lenient.
The word gastropub: Restaurant magazine's editor Joe Warwick has called for the term
to be banned. He believes the word has lost its proper meaning. He feels that with supermarkets and breweries getting in on
the act, the term no longer holds true to the origin of its meaning of a "pub that specialises in serving high-quality food".
