News in brief

12th November 2009, 10:29am

News you may have missed this week…

Three regional restaurants to be taken over by Marco Pierre White

Three restaurants in the North are to be taken over by the renowned Marco Pierre White, according to reports. The West Tower and Swan Inn ventures in Aughton, West Lancs and the Doubletree in Chester will be under the Hell's Kitchen star's name. Marco Pierre White at the West Tower will open January 2010, meanwhile the other two eateries will launch later that month.

London restaurant launches £700 bottled beer

The Belgo restaurant in Holborn, London, has launched a bottle of beer worth a staggering £700. According to the nationals, the bottle of Vieille Bon Secours ale has an alcoholic volume of 8% and has been described as having a taste of caramel and toffee with a hint of liquorice and aniseed. Only a few other bars and restaurants are said to be stocking the beer, which can also be bought online. The ale is brewed by Belgian firm Caulier since 1995 and originates from the country's Walloon region.

Edinburgh chippie fined over mouse droppings

The owner of Carlo Corolla's Clifton Fish and Chicken Bar in Edinburgh has been fined £1,200 after it was found to have a dead mouse and droppings. Owner Corolla admitted three charges of breaching food regulations on 3 February. Ice cream wafers had also been contaminated with mouse urine, the Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told. Sheriff Neil MacKinnon told Corolla: "These are serious matters but there is information before the court that the premises have been approved."

Chefs and food events showcase Welsh cuisine

The combination of two events to showcase Welsh cuisine at its very best has been declared a huge success by the organisers. Chefs and food producers teamed up for the second Welsh Chefs Conference, which was being held in association with a Christmas Catering Exhibition and hosted by independent food wholesalers Castell Howell Foods. The two day conference gave chefs the chance to share their knowledge and skills, to meet more than 50 food suppliers and to learn more about the AAA. Brian Jones, managing director of Castell Howell Foods, said the two events complimented each other and his company was delighted to be associated with the conference and the young chefs competing.

The Star Inn in Yorkshire reopens after hit by virus

The Star Inn in North Yorkshire which closed earlier this month after more than 80 people because ill has reopened, said The BBC. Owners Jacquie and Andrew Pern said the restaurant recently opened following "extensive, precautionary sanitisation procedures". The case of the illness has not yet been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency.

Leiths lecturer named European Champagne Ambassador

Richard Bampfield, MW of Leiths School of Food and Wine, has been awarded the title of European Champagne Ambassador 2009. Bampfield, who lectures on wine and Champagne to Leiths diploma students and runs Champagne tasting evenings at Leith, commented: "Drinking Champagne is one of life's great pleasures and helping others appreciate Champagne has always felt more like a labour of love than real work. I am really proud and excited to have won this award against eight strong candidates from the rest of Europe." The competition is only open to teachers and trainers who specialise in teaching Champagne tasting, either within a public or private catering school, within a training centre or within a wine appreciation club.

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