SkyCity welcomes Cassia –
Auckland’s award-winning Indian restaurant Cassia, led by Chef Sid Sahrawat, is moving to SkyCity. The renowned restaurant in Auckland’s Fort Street was closed in January after severe weather events and flooding left the business inoperable, temporarily opening as a ‘Cassia Kitchen’ pop up in the private dining room at the Sahrawat’s restaurant, Sid at The French Café. Owners, husband and wife duo Sid and Chand Sahrawat have now found a new permanent home for the much-loved restaurant and its 20-plus team members. Cassia is scheduled to open in early May at the site formerly housed by The Grills and will…
Montana Group appoints Mark Wylie as new CEO –
Montana Group has announced the appointment of Mark Wylie as its Chief Executive Officer, effective from 23 February 2023. The new position was established to lead the company into its next phase of growth and development as the Montana Group looks to meet the growing needs of its customers and stakeholders. Announcing the move, directors and shareholders, Dallas Fisher and Troy Reid said they are thrilled with the appointment and are confident that Mark’s leadership and vision will help Montana Group to achieve its strategic goals and lead them into the next chapter of its growth and success. “We believe…
Food experts meet to judge New Zealand’s finest produce –
Michelin-star chef Pim Techamuanvivit is joining internationally renowned New Zealand chef Peter Gordon and 25 local food experts to judge the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards in Auckland this week. More than 290 locally harvested, grown and made food and drink products will be assessed on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 February at Gordon’s restaurant, Homeland, known as The Food Embassy for Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands. Born and raised in Bangkok, Pim (pictured above right), took a circuitous route through the world of food from blogging (her blog Chez Pim attracted more than 250,000 views a month), to make…
Barely open a year, Disney’s $5,000 Star Wars hotel slashes prices
Less than a year after opening to great fanfare, Disney World’s $5,000-a-stay Star Wars hotel is slashing rates in an attempt to increase bookings. The Galactic Starcruiser, which opened on March 1, 2022, only has 100 rooms, but has consistently struggled to sell out. Disney billed the pricey hotel as an immersive journey where guests became part of the Star Wars story, interacting with costumed actors and being sent on missions. The cheapest two-night stays were initially priced at about $5,000 per couple and closer to $6,000 for a family of four; guests are required to book exactly two nights,…
RC Show 2023 returns with Heart & Hustle to Toronto –
Canada’s leading hospitality and foodservice expo returns as the year’s most anticipated foodservice trade event. RC Show 2023 returns to Toronto’s Energy Center at Exhibition Place, combining the best of the hospitality and food service industry – a dynamic in-person trade show, with conferences, competitions and events. The looming recession – From inflation significantly affecting grocery prices to supply chain costs, what can we do to mitigate these challenges? Labor issues & mental health – Find solutions to help support staff and the consumer experience. What’s Trending? Hear about the hottest new and noteworthy trends shaping how we live in…
Largest food price rise in 32 years –
Food prices were 11.3 percent higher in December 2022 than they were in December 2021, Stats NZ has announced. This is the biggest annual increase since April 1990, when food prices increased by 11.4 percent. In December 2022, the annual increase was due to rises across all the broad food categories Stats NZ measures. Compared with December 2021: *grocery food prices increased by 11 percent*fruit and vegetable prices increased by 23%.*restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food increased by 7.8 percent*meat, poultry, and fish prices increased by 11 percent*non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 7.3 percent. Grocery food was the largest contributor to…