Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 10107
Rocket science
It looks like a plastic gun cartridge - but it is, in fact, Guinness's new "rocket" widget. Jammed into a bottle of Guinness draught, it makes the stuff taste like it came from the tap. Once the bottle is opened, the rocket "takes off", releasing a stream of bubbles into the stout, giving you that same creamy head. The widget also ensures that the beer remains smooth by "recharging" the drink at each tip of the bottle, claims Guinness. You can do your own shamrock.
Wine disks
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has launched its certificate course on CD-Rom as a complete self-study package under the title, A Foundation in Wines & Spirits. The two-disk CD-Rom set covers 16 hours' study time and all modules on the certificate, and allows the user to work through the course at their own speed. On completion users will be well prepared to sit the certificate exam if they wish, says the trust. The price is £99.99. Call 020 7236 3551 for more details.
Party people
Ebullient Norfolk wine merchant Trevor Hughes has just launched a millennium wine consultancy service - "in response to customer demand," he claims. "Everyone is talking about their plans for celebrating the millennium and an important part of any party or ball is which Champagnes and wines to choose. We thought it would be a good idea to offer a service where customers can come along to our shop and discuss their plans," he says. T&W Wines, 01842 765646.
Smiling Bulgarians
The latest missive from the Bulgarian Wine Guild has spokeswoman Stephanie Morton-Small positively gushing. On her last visit, she says: "I noticed a change in many of the people in the Bulgarian wine industry. They were laughing and smiling whilst going about their everyday work." Apparently it's down to the new land reform passed by the Bulgarian parliament, which allows winery owners to buy prize plots on which to plant new vines. Investment has resulted in the complete transformation of communist-style wineries into hi-tech installations.
