Joe Lutrario

The South African-born but Birmingham-raised head sommelier at Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall on ‘dry wines’, Viúva Gomes and Burgundy expert Jasper Morris.

Peter Sanchez-Iglesias is back in the kitchen, leading a three-person team with outsized ambitions at Gareth Ward and Amelia Eiriksson’s tiny Gwen restaurant in Machynlleth.

Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) has announced the finalists for the fifth annual BIH Spotlight Awards, which recognise exceptional Black and ethnic minority talent across hospitality, food and drink in the UK.

After two successful decades in Cornwall, the chef-restaurateur behind No.6, Caffè Rojano and The Mariners is putting it all on the line to breathe new life into Rock’s St Enodoc Hotel.

Former Silver Birch chef Nathan Cornwell has joined West Sussex restaurant with rooms The Woodcote as chef director. Cornwell will work alongside founders Glen and Asta Manchester to take the farm-to-table restaurant in an even more produce-led direction while further developing the guest experience. His appointment comes at a significant moment for the business. Earlier this year, The Woodcote secured planning permission for 16 additional bedrooms and a new 40-cover fine dining restaurant as the Manchesters continue their long-term vision of creating one of Britain’s leading countryside hospitality destinations.

Pizza Express has revealed Stevenage as the location of the first UK restaurant for its Houston Hot Chicken brand, with the opening scheduled for October

Cardiff-born restaurant group Brother Thai has revealed plans to grow to five restaurants following the success of its second site in Bristol. The independent Thai street food brand opened at 104 Stokes Croft in April this year, five years after launching its first permanent restaurant on Whitchurch Road in Cardiff.

The head chef at London restaurant Aqua Shard on Pierre Koffmann, lemon tart and a near-death experience with an espuma gun.

A new £10,000 grant fund has been launched to help catering and hospitality students in England access educational experiences beyond the classroom. The Future Stars Scheme – launched by not-for-profit awarding body iCQ Awards and sector skills council People 1st International in response to Ofsted guidance – aims to enrich college learners’ experience by funding extracurricular activities and providing essential equipment.

The French-born head sommelier at Berkhamsted farm-to-table restaurant WILD on training at Hôtel de Meurice, Screaming Eagle and prioritising quality over geography.