The wider hospitality sector has been enjoying a much-awaited period of re-opening in recent weeks, even though an uncertain outlook remains until staffing issues can be resolved and any ongoing effects of the response to Covid assessed, although throughout it all, pizza delivery and takeaway has continued to perform.

Judging of this year’s PAPA Awards will take place this month and next (turn to page 18 to find out how you can join the audience for this, online), with the finals of the very popular Pizza Chef of the Year Competition set to take place at the forthcoming European Pizza & Pasta Show.

With 3.6 million tonnes of food being wasted by the food industry each year in the UK, and with more than two million tonnes of that still being edible, now is the time to make a change and positively impact our environment says food safety expert, argues Ben Gardner (pictured), CEO of Navitas Safety (food safety provider to the likes of Deliveroo, Five Guys and Tesco).

The £2.5bn in rent debt hanging around the neck of the hospitality industry is a threat to the future of thousands of businesses and over 330,000 sector jobs, analysis by UKHospitality has revealed.

Greater demand for free-from and vegan dishes is becoming more widespread, with ‘lockdown’ having provided an opportunity for many to focus on their eating habits.

Various upcoming new rules and regulations, as well as consumer perceptions, are changing the role, and nature, of packaging on offer to the sector. 

With summer around the corner, the UK population likely to be holidaying closer to home, and operators able to welcome back guests inside their premises, ice cream is set to be in greater demand.

The world’s most popular cuisine is firmly on the menu at Christie & Co (www.christie.com), reports their senior director – corporate pubs & restaurants, Simon Chaplin.

As our news pages suggest, there are more positive signs in the sector of re-openings, the launch of new businesses and new concepts. However, the prospect of a mixed employment and staffing situation remains in the wake of ‘lockdown’ and the lingering furlough scheme; many people from overseas having understandably also decided to return home in the intervening months.

Our features and articles cover the increasing importance of having recyclable packaging and being able to deal with food waste. This issue also marks the official launch of the industry’s prestigious PAPA Awards.

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