An Italian food expert reveals the red flags that suggest an Italian restaurant might not be genuine. Orazio Salvini, founder of Real Italian Restaurants, warns that some establishments use Italian names, decor, and imagery to attract customers, but don’t deliver an authentic dining experience. “Many UK diners think they know Italian food – but what they’re eating would leave actual Italians horrified,” he says. “Real Italian dishes focus on simplicity, quality, and regional traditions, which don’t match up to the overloaded dishes that imitation places serve.” Garlic bread on the menu. “If you see garlic bread listed as a starter, you’re probably not…
Author: Lexi Smith
Despite a strong summer of trading, cost increases have forced almost three-quarters of businesses to operate at or below 85% of required capacity. The latest member survey from hospitality trade bodies reveals that: The stark results from members of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), UKHospitality and Hospitality Ulster come as 84,000 hospitality jobs have been lost since the Budget, which imposed an additional annual cost of £3.4 billion on the sector. Hospitality businesses are clear about which three measures they believe are most important to drive growth: a reduction in VAT, amend April’s changes…
● Total Till sales growth slowed to +3.7% in the last four weeks, down from +5.8% in the previous month as shoppers reduced spend after the early summer heatwaves ● ‘Dinner for Tonight’ missions now fastest-growing shopping trip, making up one in five visits as shoppers favour healthier, home-cooked meals over dining out ● Ocado (+14.1%) leads the pack, and Lidl also experience another period of strong growth (+11.2%) Total Till sales growth at UK supermarkets slowed (+3.7%) in the last four weeks ending 9th August 2025. This is down from +5.8% recorded in July, according to new data released today by NielsenIQ (NIQ). NIQ…
Palermo-born chef puts seasonality, provenance and simple elegance on the menu Edinburgh’s award-winning Italian restaurant and wine bar, Divino Enoteca, is introducing its new head chef, Salvatore Agate. Bringing over 20 years of experience in kitchens throughout the UK and Italy, Agate’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the venue hailed as one of Scotland’s best Italian restaurants. After graduating in Food & Beverage Management in his native Palermo, Agate honed his craft across Italy before moving to London in 2010 to refine his technique. A relocation to Edinburgh in 2023 saw him join Divino as Sous Chef, where 18…
The Fruit Factory is cranking up the flavour for back to school season with the launch of not one, but two fun new arrivals: Sour Apple Strings and Tropical Fruit Twists. Bursting with bold flavours and made with real fruit juice, these playful snacks are designed to excite kids and win over parents. Set to make lunchboxes fruiter and snack time a whole lot more fun, they’ll be launching into Tesco and Morrisons this autumn, RRP £2.50. Leading the latest launch are the Tropical Fruit Twists, a new sun-soaked edition to The Fruit Factory’s best-selling twists range. This tropical launch…
An Italian cuisine specialist has identified the top errors home cooks make when preparing traditional Italian dishes, which can hugely affect the authenticity and taste. Orazio Salvini, founder of Real Italian Restaurants, said many Brits unknowingly sabotage their cooking efforts through several avoidable errors. The five biggest mistakes when cooking Italian dishes “Italian cuisine suffers in British kitchens because of misconceptions passed down through generations,” he explained. “Adding cream to carbonara ranks as perhaps the biggest culinary crime against our traditional dishes. “Authentic carbonara relies solely on eggs and cheese for its creamy texture and to true Italian food lovers, adding…
Free event – Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 September 2025 Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City – a city wild about nature, and the only one to sit between a national park and a national marine park – invites visitors to a weekend of sustainable seafood, culinary delights, and waterfront fun at Seafest 2025. Taking place across the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Waterfront, and Royal William Yard, the free-to-attend festival is brought to life by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, and Plymouth City Council, celebrating the city’s maritime heritage and thriving food scene. At the heart of the event is…
Why is not drinking enough water bad for you? Drinking too little water risks dehydration. Even small levels of dehydration can affect how you think, feel, and move. It makes your heart work harder due to a reduction in blood plasma volume, reduces focus and performance, and can leave you feeling tired or irritable. Severe dehydration (>4% body mass loss) can be dangerous. How much water do we really need to drink each day – is it eight glasses, or more if exercising? The common advice is around 2 litres per day, but your needs change with activity, heat, and…
The Government should reduce business costs to get inflation under control and drive growth, the trade body said. Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: “It’s clear the UK economy is stuck in a low growth and high inflation trap, and the only certainty is that increasing taxes and costs would make the situation worse. “Our latest member survey data shows that the £3.4 billion in additional annual cost that hit the sector in April has forced eight in 10 hospitality businesses to put up prices – which is no doubt a factor unfortunately fuelling inflation. “Pulling the tax lever on…
New Home Office data analysed by legal experts at HD Claims reveals the true crime capitals of the UK in 2025 – with London, Manchester, and Birmingham leading for some of the nation’s most serious offences. The UK’s 2025 Capitals of Crime Crime TypeRegional “Capital”Worst-Hit CityFraud & CybercrimeLondonWestminster – highest concentration of fraud per head in the UK.ViolenceNorth WestManchester – above national average for violent crime.Sexual OffencesNorth WestLiverpool – one of the highest reporting rates outside London.RobberyLondonSouthwark & Lambeth – highest street robbery rates.BurglaryYorkshire & HumberLeeds – burglary rate higher than national average.ShopliftingNorth WestManchester city centre – steepest rise in 2025.Vehicle TheftWest MidlandsBirmingham – leads UK for stolen vehicles.Criminal Damage &…