news round-up
Jamie Oliver denial
Jamie Oliver has denied rumours he is to open a new Fifteen-style restaurant in Amsterdam, Holland.
Contrary to recent reports in the Dutch press, a spokesman for Oliver denied any more restaurants were imminent.
"Assuming that the London restaurant continues to thrive, we will look at opportunities to open elsewhere," the spokesman said. "Jamie has looked at sites in New York, Glasgow, Sydney, Amsterdam and the North of England but these are long-term plans. We do not expect to open anything else this year or even next year."
Oliver is currently working on plans to improve school meals in the UK.
Food Trends in 2004
North African cuisine still has a long way to go in Europe, but the Olympic Games in Greece might spark renewed interest in Greek food, according to a new report.
Noodles are also due for a boost in popularity this year according to the report, published by Mintel.
Other trends to look out for are an increased consumer concern with food and menus sensitive to allergies, and a continuing interest in naturally produced food.
Luke Johnson to become Channel 4 chairman
Luke Johnson, former PizzaExpress owner and chairman of Signature Restaurants, which owns the Ivy, Le Caprice, the Strada, Belgo and Bierodrome chains, has been chosen as chairman of the TV network Channel 4.
The surprise part-time appointment will last for three years and offers a salary of £67,500. The position was formally approved by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, last week.
This will be Johnson's second brush with television, after he famously stormed out of his restaurant in the BBC documentary series Back to the Floor in November 2000, telling the film crew to "stick your programme".
Glasgow's glass ban
Glasgow's late-night take-away restaurants have been banned from selling goods in glass containers in a move to cut down on discarded glass and reduce the risk of it being used as a weapon.
The ban, brought in by Glasgow City Council's Licensing Committee, is the first of its kind in Scotland and will result in a change to the conditions of a licence. It means that any licence-holder should "not sell or supply soft drinks or any other goods to members of the public in any container wholly or partly made of glass".
The proposals do not include restaurants or premises without take-away facilities.
Recruitment drive at Spirit
Independent managed pub operator Spirit Group is looking for chefs as part of a new recruitment drive being held in Leeds, Surrey and Nottingham.
Spirit, which bought S&N Retail last year and now has 2,400 outlets nationwide, is looking to fill 150 kitchen manager, sous chef, commis chef and head chef positions in the next month.
Interested candidates should ring 0870 243 5353 for a place on the open day. The events will take place at the Brown Cow, Leeds, on 9 and 23 February; the Kings Arms and Royal hotel, Goldalming, Surrey on 10 and 24 February; and the Festival Inn, Ilkeston, in Nottingham on 11 and 25 February.
