The Americas:
Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef contestant Naomi Pomeroy dies after tragic accident
Former Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef contestant Naomi Pomeroy has died. On Saturday, July 13, Pomeroy (49) drowned in the Willamette River near Corvallis, Oregon, US. Pomeroy, who was previously interviewed for FCSI’s Foodservice Consultant magazine, “made an indelible mark on the culinary industry,” said TV channel Bravo in a statement. Pomeroy competed in Season 3 of Top Chef Masters, also appearing as a guest judge in seasons 10, 15 and 18. She also appeared on the Iron Chef TV show. “Naomi was a powerhouse chef,” added Bravo.
Pomeroy’s restaurant Beast won the James Beard award for best chef in the Northwest in 2014. It closed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also owned the cocktail bar Expatriate and Portland’s Thai-Chinese restaurant Yaowarat.
US fast food traffic continues to decline as price increases bite
Customer traffic to quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains declined by a further 2.3% in the second quarter of 2024, according to analysis from Revenue Management Solutions (RMS). The restaurant consulting partner reported that the sector’s struggles are set to continue amid consumer frustration over price increases.
However, the figures did see an improvement in comparison to the previous quarter (a 3.5% decline), indicating that some cautious optimism for operators. Improved weather, coinciding with a focus on delivering better value from a number of leading chains, including McDonald’s and Starbucks, are believed to be behind the numbers, which should see an even better return on customer numbers by the third quarter when that data becomes available.
Asia Pacific:
Bangkok hotel deaths were victims of cyanide poisoning
According to police in Bangkok, Thailand, six people who died in a high-end hotel suite in the capital were poisoned with drinks spiked with cyanide. The six deceased – four Vietnamese nationals and two from the US – were discovered by housekeepers at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday. Police believe that one of the dead was behind the poisoning, with the motive being a debt of nearly $280,000 owed to one of the other victims. Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the hotel on Tuesday, before ordering an urgent investigation into the deaths.
The Grand Hyatt Erawan is operated by Erawan Group. It has more than 350 rooms and is located in a popular tourist district of Bangkok.
Dairy Queen opens its first hot food restaurant in Asia
In a move to cater to its “treat fanatics” customers in Asia, Dairy Queen has opened its first hot food restaurant concept in China. The launch of the opening of DQ Blizzard & Burgers in Shanghai is the first of its kind in Asia. The restaurant menu is comprised of five signature burgers, chicken, fries and onion rings, beverages, and a full treat menu that includes the iconic DQ Blizzard Treat.
International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), through its wholly-owned subsidiary American Dairy Queen Corporation, and CFB Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Shanghai Shida Catering Management Co., Ltd., a franchise ownership company based in Shanghai, announced the opening on 10 July.
“During the past 20 years, we have turned Chinese consumers into DQ treat fanatics,” said Alan Hsu, CEO, CFB Group. “We are pleased to expand our business by now offering hot meals, including burgers, that Chinese customers crave. Our goal is to position DQ restaurants as the balanced food and treat leader in China.”
By the end of September, the company plans to open two more DQ Blizzard & Burgers locations in Shanghai and is “committed to opening 180 locations by 2034″.
Picture: Dairy Queen
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA):
New UK Government bans zero-hour contracts and ‘fire and rehire’ practices
On July 17, the UK’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out 39 bills his government hopes to pass. One of which will directly apply to the foodservice and hospitality sector as the newly installed Labour Governments sets out its plan to overhaul employment rights. Promising “A new deal for working people”, zero-hour contracts and ‘fire and rehire’ practices will both be banned under the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill. The Bill promises workers’ protection from unfair dismissal and the right to flexible working from day one. It also says that all adults should benefit from the minimum wage.
In response to the relevant measures – which also included planning and Apprenticeship Levy reform – announced in the King’s Speech, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “It’s positive to see significant measures announced today that can help hospitality achieve its growth potential of 6% a year.
UK pubs and bars get massive boost during Sunday’s EURO 2024 final
Data from financial services company Barclays, which processes nearly 40% of the UK’s credit and debit card transactions, has revealed pub transaction volumes in the country nearly tripled on Sunday July 14, the day the EURO 2024 final. This was increase of 195.6% year-on-year, and up 107.3% week-on-week.
Across England’s seven Euro 2024 matches, UK pub and bar transactions were up 86.4% year-on-year on average, with growth peaking during the final.
The final – which saw England beaten by winners Spain – was also 2024’s busiest Sunday of the year for UK pubs and bars. Transaction volumes were up 92.9% compared to the average Sunday in 2024. The next busiest Sundays in 2024 were the 5th and 26th May, during the two May Bank Holiday weekends.
Picture: Barclays
Michael Jones
