Caterer News

Young people 'need to choose courses that give them good job prospects'

Tue, 17 May 2011 16:45:11 15MayGMT

Young people who are planning on heading to university should consider taking courses that help them to fill skills shortages in the marketplace.

This is according to engineering consultancy Atkins, which also told the Daily Telegraph that universities need to help students develop skills such as customer awareness, team working and self-management.

Developing these skills could open doors for those interested in entering the hospitality industry on a self-employed basis as they will have the proficiency required to run their own catering agency, pub or restaurant.

Earlier this week, the Bank of Scotland Labour Market Barometer revealed that there was a strong increase in temporary staff vacancies in Scotland's hotel and catering sector in March.

This suggests that contract catering jobs could be..

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Contract catering firm plans expansion in Scotland

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:49:54 13FebGMT

Sodexo Prestige Scotland has announced plans to expand its services in the north-east of Scotland, which could see new contract catering jobs created.

The company is hoping to capitalise on the success it has had with its corporate hospitality efforts at Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium.

As part of the company's plans, it will now provide catering services for up to 5,000 guests at a time.

Isla Stewart, Sodexo Prestige Scotland sales manager at Aberdeen Football Club, said the business is looking forward to growing its events catering division.

"We are very lucky to have a loyal client base, and we feel that offering this service will enhance our existing relationships, as well as allowing us to work with new clients on exciting new projects..

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Scottish station to benefit from new cafe

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 11:00:46 10JunGMT

A huge cash investment in Scottish railway stations is set to bolster cafe jobs in the country after bosses revealed that a new establishment is to be created as part of the redevelopment plans.

Five stations in the country are to split the £168,000 investment which the government is providing in order to spruce up their appearance and add improvements, such as the cafe.

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson said that the investment shows the type of projects the government wants to support.

"By reinvesting in the station environment and bringing redundant buildings back to life, we are opening up new employment opportunities while communities benefit through the creation of new local facilities," he said.

Dumbarton Central..

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Cafe planned for new Edinburgh civic building

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:07:09 10AprGMT

People looking for catering jobs in Edinburgh have been given a boost after work started on a new civic building, which will include a community cafe serving both council and community employees.

The Edinburgh Evening News reported that the new building in the Bathgate area of the Scottish capital will include a community hall, library and accommodation for the Advice Shop and Council Information Services centre.

Jim Walker, executive councillor for culture and leisure, cut the first turf and told the newspaper that the new spaces will be used to get their maximum potential.

"I'm delighted that work has started on this new centre, which will meet the growing needs of the community in Bathgate and West Lothian. The new building..

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Scottish cafe jobs given boost by new garden centre development

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:00:00 11AprGMT

People looking for catering jobs in Scotland have been buoyed by the news that a garden centre is set to open and will include an eatery sponsored by celebrity chef Nick Nairn.

The Paisley Daily Express reported that the chef has teamed up with charity bosses to sponsor the Vanishing Willow Cafe, which will be situated in the Erskine Garden Centre in the old Erskine Hospital estate.

Erskine's chief executive major Jim Panton told the publication: "We are all really excited about the opening of the new Erskine Garden Centre, especially our partnership with Nick Nairn in the Vanishing Willows Cafe."

Scott Fraser, spokesman for the Social Firms charity, added that Mr Nairn is already a big supporter of Erskine and..

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Edinburgh cafe space given new lease of life

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:39:48 15MarGMT

An area of Edinburgh is set to get a much needed community cafe, according to one blogger, who said that the new establishment got the go ahead after an unexpected council vote.

The Guardian's Edinburgh blogger Tom Allan reported that the eatery in Canongate will also include a space downstairs for community events, which could interest people looking for cafe jobs in the city.

He stated: "The new venue on Mary's Street, which has been sitting empty for two years, will go some way to plugging the hole left after other community spaces ... were closed down - some as part of council plans to redevelop the area."

The blogger added that the cafe is needed after venues like Panmure Place,..

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Scottish hospitality courses in funding boost

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:03:11 11NovGMT

New funds to boost people looking to work in hospitality jobs have been distributed to Scottish colleges and universities.

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has made a total of £100,000 available to 28 course providers.

According to the organisation, the cash will help reward promising students and also provide an annual hardship fund for those struggling with their finances.

David Cochrane, chief executive of HIT Scotland, explained that the cash will help ensure people have the skills needed for hospitality jobs.

He said: "The bursary fund was created to provide a platform for the industry to help colleges and university students progress into the profession. All the money raised come from the industry directly."

The hardship..

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ESS wins offshore contract extension

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 16:07:07 15SepGMT

Aberdeen-based catering firm ESS Support Services has signed a three-year contract extension with Transocean Offshore worth £12 million.

The deal should be good news for those seeking contract catering jobs as it will see the firm providing hotel services across an additional eight units that were part of the 2007 GlobalSantaFe merger.

Alain Morize, ESS managing director, said: "Our people are key to our success and it is seeing this in practice that provided assurance to Transocean the benefit of transferring their in-house catering and hotel services team to the ESS team."

This new deal will see the total number of rigs supported by ESS in the UK and Dutch sectors increase to 19 and..

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Sodexo extends Balmoral catering contract

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:38:55 15AugGMT

Sodexo has inked a five-year extension of its deal with Balmoral Estates, which should secure contract catering jobs in Scotland for the foreseeable future.

The deal, which is worth £800,000, will see Sodexo continue to provide catering and hospitality services at the estate and to manage private and corporate functions at the castle and visitor coffee shop.

Graham Box, managing director for Sodexo Scotland, expressed his delight at the contract renewal.

"Over the years we have built up a long standing relationship with the client," he said. "We will continue to work with them to meet their business needs."

Balmoral is the Scottish home of the Royal family and the estate extends to just over 50,000 acres of heather-clad hills and ancient..

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Encore Catering signs £1.5m contract with Tall Ship attraction

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:11:16 16AugGMT

Encore Catering has signed a £1.5 million contract to become the catering provider for the Glasgow Tall Ship attraction, which could help boost local hospitality jobs.

Under the terms of the deal, the five-year partnership began this month and has already seen five major events being held at the attraction.

Encore, which is a division of Cordia, which manages Glasgow City Council's direct and care services, will provide catering for numerous events at the venue, including weddings, corporate lunches and awards evenings.

David Melvin, operations director for Cordia, said: "This is a significant contract for Cordia and Encore and naturally we are delighted to be working with the Tall Ship board and management and add the Tall Ship to our impressive..

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