Table talk
Just don't leave a mint sauce on the pillow Talk about getting fleeced by a luxury hotel. Australia's Wooldorf Astoria offers luxury, climate-controlled accommodation, excellent food and classy entertainment - but the catch is that only sheep are allowed to stay. So luxurious are the living conditions and facilities at the New South Wales sheep farm, run by brothers Bim and Rick Goodrich, that its woolly residents are obliging by growing some of the finest wool ever produced. At just one-fifth the diameter of a human hair, the wool can fetch a higher price than gold at market, which explains the alternative moniker locals have given the farm.
Chancellor's change is no small beer Gordon Brown has been named Camra's Parliamentarian of the Year in recognition of his contribution to the future of small breweries. Brown introduced relief for small breweries in his 2002 Budget. Mike Benner of Camra praised the Chancellor thus: "The introduction of small breweries' relief has benefited hundreds of small local brewers, making their businesses more viable and enabling them to invest in new plants and jobs. "Gordon Brown has made it easier for small brewers to compete with their larger competitors, leading to greater choice for consumers." The presentation was made at the Treasury last week.
Who's Who says what's what about all that Some of the entries on new industry website interactivewhoswho.com make interesting reading. Asked to name his most admired competitor, Compass chief executive Mike Bailey replies: "We've bought most of them." And Garry Hawkes, one-time boss of Gardner Merchant and subsequently Sodexho, is asked to recall his worst-ever decision. He says: "To sell my company to a French business." Ouch.
Pepsi set to dip its toe in troubled drinking water The papers were covered with stories about Coca-Cola selling purified tap water last week. It now emerges that Pepsi wants to get in on the act. Pepsi may launch its own brand of tap water, Aquafina, in the UK. Aquafina is already the best-selling bottled water in the USA and Pepsi could bring the drink to Britain and Europe to challenge Coca-Cola's Dasani brand. Food watchdogs have ordered an inquiry into Dasani over its claims to be a "pure" water.
Spam creates hula-hoopla to pacify Pacific market Spam has launched a special Hawaii collector's edition can to fight back against a new rival in the Pacific islands. People eat more Spam in Hawaii than in any other US state. Now a rival brand, Tulip from Denmark, is trying to unseat it as the undisputed king of canned luncheon meats. Special edition cans of Spam featuring a picture of a hula doll on both sides are displayed in 6ft towers. Meanwhile, local McDonald's restaurants in Hawaii have rolled out Spam McGriddles as a new breakfast offering for islanders.
Footie goes with lager, OK - but dog food… ? Major televised football matches are the main driver of room service, according to research by Corus Hotels. Lager, chips and steak are the most popular orders. But more unusual requests during matches have included dog food, condoms, a black bin bag, a piece of wood, a chopped raw onion, and a pizza coated with peanut butter - ordered by a pregnant guest. We hope her team won.
