in brief

Consultants to debate with contract caterers

Consultants and caterers will come face to face at Hotelympia in a debate called "Getting the best for your customers and clients". The debate, to be chaired by Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, takes place on 26 February from 11am to 12.30pm at ExCel in London's Docklands. Robyn Jones of Charlton House, Aramark's Simon Titchener, Martin Waller of Compass and Thomas Nikolopulos from Sodexho are representing contract caterers. The four consultants sharing the debate are Chris Stern of Chris Stern Associates, Jonathan Doughty at Coverpoint Consultancy, Rosemary Osbourne of Rosemary Osbourne Consultancy, and Arthur Meakin of Catering Business Solutions.

Chef takes on trainees from former college

Two young chefs studying catering at Northampton College started their two weeks' work experience at London restaurant Rhodes Twenty Four earlier this week. Michael Engler, 19, and Paul Sturgess, 20, started work on Monday under the guidance of head chef Adam Grey (pictured), who has set up the training scheme with his former catering college. It will be called the Chefs Academy and will see four new Northampton College students training at the restaurant every quarter as part of their NVQ level 3 assessment. Grey will have the opportunity to pick the best of the students for a full-time position at Rhodes Twenty Four.

Compass points north

Compass Contract Services has been awarded a Ministry of Defence contract to provide catering, retail, leisure and support services at RAF Leuchars, Britain's most northerly fighter station, near St Andrews, Fife. The total turnover of the deal is estimated at £12m. Compass's was the only tender.