
Professional association for head chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers and quality suppliers. Concerned with raising standards and public awareness of food, food provenance, cooking and service, as well as helping to attract young people into the industry through education and training programmes.
Professional body for front of house staff – including food and wine waiting staff and bar assistants. Its aim is to improve the basic knowledge of restaurant staff. Provides skills seminars and training programmes.
Industry networking group, organising lunches, lectures and meetings throughout the year.
Dedicated consultancy focused on helping hospitality employers prevent alcohol and drug misuse becoming a problem. The Ark also helps with practical, legal and ethical issues that organisations need to consider in order to develop the right policy.
Chefs’ association that can trace its history back to 1845. Run by chefs, for chefs. Its aims are to maintain professional standards of cuisine and to encourage learning and skills.
Aims to encourage young people into the industry, promote products, share ideas and techniques, and raise public awareness and appreciation. Membership is open to pastry chefs, pastry commis and companies supplying products and services for pastry chefs.
Network of entrepreneurial retailers and industry suppliers championing smaller independent companies that own and operate pubs, bars and restaurants in UK.
The aim of the Best Practice Forum is to encourage businesses in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry to introduce new ideas and innovations by adopting or adapting best practice – so raising their efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.
Professional body for the licensed retail sector, aiming to promote high standards, encourage new entrants into the industry and help them develop their careers. Also aims to provide members with information, skills and qualifications to help them succeed in their business activities.
BACD is the oldest of the UK conference industry associations and plays a vital role in supporting, promoting and representing British conference destinations.
Aims to promote the highest professional standards in financial management within the hospitality industry, while also sharing ideas and promoting best practice.
Promotes and represents the business interests of the UK’s brewing and pub sectors, and aims to ensure that the importance of beer and pubs are recognised and supported by Government and opinion-formers.
The BFA is the only voluntary accreditation body for franchising in the UK. Its remit is to develop and continuously improve the standards of good practice in franchising and to accredit franchisors who meet these standards.
Now a division of the British Hospitality Association, the RA provides a range of member services and acts as the voice of the UK restaurant sector.
www.bha.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=43
National trade association for hotels, restaurants and caterers, the BHA’s primary role is to lobby government across the UK and in Europe, representing the views of the industry.
Umbrella organisation representing the interests of over 100 private sector companies in the sport, leisure and hospitality industry.
The confederation was established in 1982 to provide recognised standards of management and vocational training appropriate to the needs of the hotel and travel industries.
Aims to encourage the adoption of economically, socially and environmentally sustainable policies and practices among the hoteliers of London in a way that enhances the viability of their businesses, the environment and the quality of the experience on offer to their guests, staff and visiting tourists.
Association representing the interests of chefs, aiming to raise professional standards, increase awareness and further skills, careers, education and training. Organisers of Knorr National Chef of the Year and other key culinary competitions and awards.
The Federation of Small Businesses works for and lobbies on behalf of small businesses across the UK
The UK’s leading representative body for all those involved in food development. FDA members work across all sectors of the industry – from foodservice to retail – and range from development chefs and new product development managers to food technologists and nutritionists.
The Guild of Food Writers is the professional association of food writers and broadcasters in the UK. Established in 1984, it now has over 360 authors, columnists, freelance journalists and broadcasters amongst its members. It offers to professional support and guidance to members, its busy calendar including an annual lecture dinner and AGM, annual awards open to all, monthly workshops, talks, occasional professional and social events as well as a bi-monthly publication, Savour, and a comprehensive, detailed annual directory of members. It also has a regularly updated website at www.gfw.co.uk. In the public forum the Guild campaigns with authority for improvements in the awareness and quality of food in every sector of society. To find out more or to become a member contact Jonathan Woods jonathan@gfw.co.uk.
Hospitable Climates is a free energy-saving advisory programme, managed on behalf of the Carbon Trust by the Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) and dedicated to the hospitality sector.
Hospitality charity dedicated to helping those from the industry who find themselves in need. Includes the Ark Foundation, which educates on the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse.
Quality standard for service and business excellence in the hospitality industry.
The official branch of the Chartered Institute of Marketing specifically for the hotel industry. The HMA is supported by many of the hotel companies in the UK and its membership comprises sales, marketing and operations personnel from small and large hotels and companies alike.
Professional body aiming to promote high standards of management and education within the hospitality industry. Provides a variety of information and education services, including a series of small business seminars.
The Institute of Masters of Wine exists to promote the highest level of educational achievement for the wine industry, culminating in the internationally recognised qualification of Master of Wine (MW). It also runs tastings and other events programmes. The website includes excellent links to other wine sites and a recommended reading list.
Association formed in 1979, initiated by City livery company the Worshipful Company of Innholders. Membership is by invitation only. Holds annual conference for hotel general managers and undertakes charitable activities within the hotel industry.
Promotional body for British beef, pork and lamb. Its foodservice website includes downloadable guides, recipes, and training links.
Professional organisation for the meetings industry in the UK and Ireland. Committed to improving the standards of the UK meetings industry.
Established in 2004, the NCASS represents mobile caterers, sandwich bars, buffet and corporate hospitality caterers, burger bars, delivery rounds, takeaways, pizza bars, fish and chips and others in the fast food industry, together with suppliers to the trade.
NetRegs is the primary trusted source of guidance on environmental legislation for any businesses that process food and drink in the UK, offering free guidance by Business Type and Environmental Topic. Set up by the UK's three environmental regulators, the site is easy-to-use and all visitors remain anonymous - there is no need to register.
The Sector Skills Council for the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industries, its aim is to make sure that the skills employers need are the skills they get.
Concierges’ networking group the Society of the Golden Keys was founded in London more than 50 years ago. Its main aims are to promote friendships among concierges and to help develop a network of contacts in the hotel fraternity.
Professional trade association of sommeliers, owned by UK sommeliers. It was formed to provide a commercial centrepiece for the on-trade, so that wine producers, importers and on-trade suppliers have a professionally managed group with which to do business.
Organisation that promotes careers in hospitality, leisure, tourism and travel to a range of potential recruits and influencers through a network of centres across the UK.
Non-political trade association with the prime aim of advancing the professional skills of bar men and women throughout the country. Site includes cocktail recipes, tips and training.
The World Association of Chefs' Societies is a global network of chefs’ associations first founded in October 1928 in Paris. Today it has 72 official chefs associations as members.
www.cateringforallergy.org is a free resource website where catering staff can access information and practical advice to help them deal with the increasing number of allergic consumers.
Marketing board for British cheese, which aims to educate and inform the public about the benefits of British cheese.
The British Contract Furnishing Association is the leading trade association representing the UK contract furniture and furnishings industry. The BCFA’s aim is to bring together manufacturers and contract furnishers and to inform the architect, specifier and interior designer of the wide range of products and services available.
Marketing board for British potato varieties. Its trade website features recipes, various publications and information on handling and storage.
The small business support and advice service, providing free, impartial and comprehensive advice to businesses to help them start up and grow.
Aims to encourage and assist its members through training, advice, support and benefits to operate profitable businesses that are recognised by customers to deliver the highest standards of advice, service and value for money.
CESA represents more than 100 companies who supply commercial catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchens. Its website includes useful buying guides to all the main categories of equipment.
Voluntary, non-profit-making body that represents universities and colleges offering courses in the management of hospitality businesses.
The Studio offers courses such as HACCP, product development, product launches, food sampling, focus groups also as a Cookery Team Building venue (Team Cuisine).
Comprehensive wine website, including wine news, recommendations, wine finder, vintage guides, archive of articles, courses and events.
The market development consultancy for British food and drink, funded by government and industry. Its aims are to maximise exports of UK food and drink, and to increase production and consumption of quality regional food and drink.
Professional association for foodservice consultants. The FCSI website includes a “find a consultant” section including kitchen and restaurant design consultants, and management consultants.
The FSA is an independent government department set up in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.
Promotional body for British game. Website includes news, information and recipes.
The HSE catering website includes free guides to subjects such as manual handling, and slips, trips and falls.
The Hospitality Awarding Body (HAB) is the UK's specialist awarding body for hospitality qualifications and also awards a number of one-day generic and service-sector qualifications.
The NACB is an approved body with a set of standards that a company must conform to and pass independent inspection before being allowed to join. Website includes a directory of member butchers.
Regional and national network whose aim is to encourage catering educational institutions to work together to manage the challenges of continual change within hospitality and catering education.
Site from Food From Britain featuring a directory of more than 3,000 regional food and drink producers in the UK.
www.foodfrombritain.com/buyersguide/Regional_food_and_drink_guide.asp
The Sea Fish Industry Authority delivers expert knowledge, skills and support that help the UK seafood industry. Online resources for caterers include a recipe database, publications and educational posters.
Website of the Slow Food movement, which aims to protect bio-diversity by promoting the enjoyment of regional, seasonal food. Includes recipe ideas.
Website for updates and guidance on the smoking ban in England, including signs, outside shelters and designating bedrooms.
The United Kingdom Tea Council is an independent, non-profit making body dedicated to promoting tea. Its website includes the Tea Guild channel, for outlets brewing and serving top-quality tea.
Promotes the vegan lifestyle, which involves avoiding the use of all animal-derived products. Includes useful catering and cookery section.
Offers expert advice on nutritional issues and provides free information to individuals, companies and organisations. Includes dedicated Caterers’ Pages and Cordon Vert School professional chef training.
Comprehensive online resource for bartenders, including cocktail recipes, tips and tricks.
London-based global organisation providing courses in both wines and spirits, plus a range of qualifications, for professionals and enthusiastic amateurs.
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