The big curveball that swung our way just as we were about to go to print this month was the news that Westbury Street Holdings has acquired Genuine Dining. The information we received, however, made it clear that the latter will carry on operating under its own independent structure.
This sits as something of a contrast with this issue’s Site visit, for which I met up with Alex Head, the founder and CEO of Social Pantry, to see the company’s operation at Mansion House in the City. A newly won contract, she told me: “It’s always a bigger win when you’ve taken it off of one of the big guys. For Social Pantry, to have put our hat in the ring and then won it, I know that both the company that came through to the tasting stage with us and the incumbent were pretty shocked.” You can read more about this on page 24.
In a similar vein, our Foodservice forum (on page 16) asks, ‘What are the advantages of being independent?’ Accent Catering and The Pantry are only to happy to provide the answers.
Finally, it would be rude of me not to invite you to our seventh annual street food soirée, which will be held in north London on 8th October.
If you are a fan of supporting the industry and eating free food – all while drinking free alcohol – then it could just be the evening out for you. Go to streatfoodawards.co.uk, or page to page 26, for more information. We will, of course, bring you all the news, winners and dishes next month.