A new four part programme called ‘Tricks of the Restaurant Trade’ is currently airing on Channel 4. The show aims to hi-light all the methods restaurants use to trick you into spending more money and making more profit.

Rational is celebrating 25 years of operation in UK and Ireland by launching a competition to find the oldest Rational combi oven in use, the prize is a fantastic brand new Rational SelfCooking Centre.

After 5 years of extensive research and development Hobart have finally launched their ‘Compact Kitchen Concept’, a cooking suite that contains all the functionality of a traditional 4 metre range over just 2.4 metres.

The Sustainable restaurant guide ‘Fish2Fork’ in association with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) have revealed the findings of their recent study into sustainable seafood used in large high street chains, the results are shocking with more than half using seafood from overfished areas.

Tim Bender, UK Sales Director of warewashing for Hobart UK, has spoken out in support of the distributor channel and highlighted Ecomax-Catering.co.uk as a dealer who’s sales advice, after sales service and support are second to none.

The decision on when to replace a piece of catering equipment seems a simple one to most operators, when the equipment fails completely and repair is no longer cost effective.

A recent report by The Carbon Trust has found that 85% of the lifecycle cost of cooking equipment is the energy used whilst in operation.

Repairing equipment can be a time consuming process, not to mention the cost implications. Manufacturers have taken on board this feedback from customers and have started to build more stock of the core ranges so that supply leadtimes can be reduced.

A senior figure from Trip Advisor has offered advice to companies on the perfect way to respond to negative online reviews. Gweneal Merlin, who is Director of Partnerships for the review site, advised that companies who issue the same standard response for negative reviews are doing far more harm than good to their establishment’s reputation.

Large hospitality operators such as Best Western and Holiday Inn have admitted that major changes have been implemented in their business models due to customer feedback via twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.