Latest news Archives - Restaurant Association of New Zealand

Hyper-local and meat-free: Our changing dining out habits

Survey of hospitality owners cite plant-based menus and hyper local sourcing to prevail on 2020 menus Plant based proteins, veganism, hyper local sourcing and conscious consumerism. These are some of the things we can expect to see appearing on more and more restaurant menus this year, according to a Restaurant Association survey of hospitality business owners. The Restaurant Association, an industry body that represents more than 2300 hospitality businesses nationwide, asked its Read on

Coronavirus: Big collapse of Chinese restaurants looms as customers stay away over virus fears

posted on 17 Feb 20

Many Auckland Chinese restaurants may be on the brink of collapse as fears over the coronavirus outbreak continue to drive away customers. Harry Cai of Guangzhou Hot Pot said he has had 200 booking cancellations in recent weeks as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Photo / Alex Burton Business at Auckland establishments has dropped Read on

Sir Des Britten, restaurateur, TV chef and priest, has died

posted on 14 Feb 20

The day Des Britten became Sir Des, his son Dominic told him he was very proud of him. Sir Des teared up, looked at his son and said: “I still feel like that little boy from Waipawa.” And that’s what he was, said Dominic Britten.”He never asked for success, he never sought it out, it always came Read on

Minimum wage rise could break ‘psychological’ $5 coffee barrier

posted on 31 Jan 20

A $5 coffee could become the norm after the minimum wage increases on April 1, hospitality expert Mark Collins says. Coffee lovers in Auckland and some other parts of the country already pay $5 for their fix, but the average price for a takeaway coffee around the country is $3.90 according to Statistics New Zealand. Read on

2020 Bidfood Trade Shows

posted on 30 Jan 20

With 16 shows nationwide, the Bidfood Trade Shows provide their suppliers a platform to highlight new products within their ranges, on the day specials and showcase innovation to the wider foodservice industry. Trade Shows give current and potential Bidfood customers the opportunity to network with suppliers, fellow customers and sample a range of different products. Read on

Advice for members on the coronavirus outbreak

posted on 29 Jan 20

updated 24th February, 2020 In January 2020, Chinese authorities confirmed a new type of coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV. The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency as a result of the coronavirus outbreak which has now spread well beyond China, where it first emerged. The outbreak has caused significant concerns for many of Read on

Kiwi chef returns to NZ for Welly icon, Floriditas

posted on 20 Jan 20

Celebrated Melbourne-based Kiwi chef, Hayden McMillan, is making Wellington his new home, and bringing his culinary talents to one of the capital’s most beloved eateries, Floriditas, in an exciting new partnership set to further enhance Wellington’s vibrant dining scene. The relationship between Hayden – most recently, the owner and head chef of highly acclaimed EastBrunswick Read on

RA Professional Development Roadshow

posted on 13 Jan 20

Leadership Development Workshop with In-House Mentoring Session Hospitality businesses face a number of challenges to operate efficiently and achieve competitive advantage. One of the most important elements that contribute to team success is the leadership delivered in a business. We’re travelling around the country to host full day Leadership Development Workshops near you. These workshops are focused on Read on

Auckland food Facebook forum has turned sour, but “we’re going to fix that”

posted on 13 Jan 20

COMMENT: There are so many interesting food stories that don’t find their way in the daylight. A friend and I sensed a growing disconnect between restaurants and customers which wasn’t helped by the fact that so much coverage of the hospitality scene is paid content. Businesses, most of them small, stumping up dollars to be included Read on

Instagram has changed how we eat and restaurants are rising to the challenge

posted on 7 Jan 20

For many Kiwis, it seems a meal cannot begin without them first taking a photograph of the food on their cellphones and sharing it on social media. Instagram and international travel have both changed how we eat, and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand says restaurants are rising to the challenge. Times have changed from Read on