Food critics set to reveal their secrets

3rd September 2009, 10:53am

A positive review can make a huge difference to the fortunes of a restaurant – but just how do the top critics go about rating their dining experiences?

What are the elements that make the difference between receiving a write-up that dishes out lashings of praise and one that sticks the knife in? And how can you best prepare for the moment a restaurant reviewer drops in unexpectedly?

Visitors to this year's Restaurant Show will have the chance to hear answers to these and other questions straight from the horse's mouth, thanks to a new feature called the Business Briefing Theatre, which will be the stage for a programme of topical discussions and debates.

Among the big names appearing in the Business Briefing Theatre will be London Evening Standard food writer and Masterchef regular Charles Campion, and Peter Harden, co-founder of the famous Harden's guides. They will both address the subject of restaurant reviews in a panel discussion session titled: "When the pen is mightier than the fork – the impact of a review on a restaurant".

Fellow food writer Bill Knott will also be speaking in the Business Briefing Theatre, in a panel discussion session titled: "Standing out from the crowd – successfully achieving a point of difference". Bill gave up a career as a chef to become a critic and has written for the Daily Telegraph and Financial Times. On this panel with Bill will be Richard Corrigan of Corrigan's Restaurant.

Joining Charles Campion and Peter Harden to discuss restaurant reviews will be leading chefs Rowley Leigh of Le Café Anglais and Tom Aikens of The Tom Aikens Group.

Chris Galvin, who with his brother Jeff will open a third establishment this autumn, will discuss the ins and outs of expanding a restaurant empire on a panel titled: "Investing to grow – taking your business to the next level".

Meanwhile, Tristan Welch (Launceston Place) and Anthony Demetre (Arbutus, Wild Honey) will take part in a highly topical panel discussion session titled: "Recession bites – ride the downturn … and get ready for the upturn".

The Restaurant Show Business Briefing Theatre will also host a Livebookings 'Ask the Experts' session presented by two-starred chef Michael Caines (Gidleigh Park) and Anneliese Hainz, reservations director at Gordon Ramsay Holdings.

The Restaurant Show takes place from Monday 12 October to Wednesday 14 October at London's Earl's Court 2. Entry to the Business Briefing Theatre is free of charge to all show visitors. For more information on exhibiting at The Restaurant Show 2009 or to register as a visitor go to www.therestaurantshow.co.uk

Related Articles:

• 01 Sep 2010 - Viajante is London's best new restaurant according to Harden's
• 12 Jan 2010 - Jamie's Italian lands a place in Harden's UK Restaurant Guide 2010

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