Last week saw a sigh of relief across the country; the gin crisis has been averted! Back way back in October 2015, experts had warned that the main ingredient in gin, Juniper Berry, was being threatened by a deadly fungus known as Phytophthora Austrocedrae up in Scotland (where the majority of UK gin is made). Across the country, people expressed their concern of what might happen to their favourite tipple. Without the berry, gin would no longer exist... However, our saviours came in the form of a group of gardeners who work for the UK National Tree Seed Project. They realised what was happening and decided to collect all the juniper seeds from around the country to ensure they were protected away from the lethal fungus and stored them safely away in the Millennium Seed Bank in Sussex - phew! Although we know that storing them away will not prevent the disease in some of the areas they grow in, there are plenty being conserved for as long as possible, and keeping the chances of catching it at a minimal level. Today, gin remains of the one the country's most loved drinks and is set to take over the leading tipple - Scotch Whisky - by 2020. Over the past couple of years, it's become extremely fashionable especially among the younger generation! So much so, there's been an increase of gin parlours across the country - and even a real life gin school that's been established over in Ireland. We are just really glad to hear the news that our favourite beverage is safe for now. We might just go and celebrate with a gin and tonic... Let us know your thoughts on the gin crisis over at @gbhospitality! X
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Although alcohol is not often associated with a healthy lifestyle, there are certain spirits that have been scientifically proven to be good for us including our ultimate favourite, Gin! Believe it or not, years ago it was actually used as medicine and has since evolved into the drink we know and love today. So, if you're wondering whether you should that mid-week tipple, we've pulled together a few reasons why you should! Skin will improve Instead of spending money on expensive anti-aging creams, a glass of gin will give you all the goodness your skin needs. Gin is made with Juniper berries that are full of antioxidants that help restore your skin, keeping it fresh-looking youthful and wrinkle-free. It's diet friendly! As we all know, alcohol is one of the fastest and easiest ways to put weight on *sigh*. BUT, there is some good news...Gin has the least amount of calories in any alcoholic drink (yippee)! If you're watching what you eat and drink, you'll be fine sticking to a glass of Gin which only has around 100 calories in. It’s good for the digestive system Gin is made with herbs that help with the digestive enzymes allowing food to be broken down quicker, helping it improve digestion. And as it contains antioxidants it reduces that bloated feeling that comes on after a couple of drinks keeping your stomach flatter. Helps with illness Well seeing as it's practically a medicine, it's been noted as a great cure for bugs that we might pick up! Juniper berries are supposedly good for helping prevent chest problems in the lungs and coughs as the oil in them helps clean out mucus that might be lurking around. And apparently drinking Gin moderately will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The ingredients within it have been proven to help with the inside of the body such as making your veins stronger and stopping your arteries being clogged. So there you have it...Gin really is good for us! Now if you're deciding what to have yours with, make sure you check out our gin cocktails post here. A couple of years ago, afternoon tea came back into fashion with hotels and restaurants across the UK rushing to lay on platters of freshly made and sandwiches that were accompanied with a glass of fizz or pot of tea for guests. However, fast forward to today and the 'traditional' concept of it has changed massively...and we love it! Chefs have been let loose with their artistic skills and started creating unique menus that replace cakes and scones with items such as chicken wings, mini burgers and nachos. We've picked some of the most unique afternoon teas around; check them out below! Punk Afternoon Tea If American-style food is for you, then you’ll love the Punk Afternoon tea at the Baltic Social in Liverpool. For £25 a head, you’ll be served a range of delicious food including mini burgers, spicy fries, hot dogs, pretzels finished with a chilled alcoholic beverage. It’s one the cities incredibly popular teas, so make sure if you’re planning a visit to book a table. Address: 27 Parliament St, Liverpool L8 5RN Phone: 0151 707 1137 Prohibition Tea Step back in time to the wonderful 1920s in the wonderful speakeasy, Quaglino’s. Indulge in classic foods including smoked salmon rosti, strawberry tarts, finished with a cocktail (or two)! Occasionally they have other themed teas on to, such as last year’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tea. Address:16 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6AJ Phone: 020 7930 6767 Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea In 2016, The Sanderson scooped the award for the best afternoon themed tea, and it’s not hard to see why! For those Alice in Wonderland fans, or those who just fancy one of THE most amazing treats around, then book in for the Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea. Everything is themed, from the cutlery to the cakes which include the coffee flavoured pocket-watch macaroon! Address: 50 Berners St, London W1T 3NG Phone: 020 7300 1400 The Freaky Afternoon Tea Roll up, roll up and and come and feast your eyes on The Freaky Afternoon Tea at Circo - The Next Generation. One of Liverpool's most iconic venues has recently moved from its old home on the Albert Dock up to Seel Street and will be opening its doors this March. Address: Seel Street, Liverpool Phone: 0151 709 0470 Share with us your favourite Afternoon Tea! GB Hospitality x The hospitality industry is constantly changing and adapting new ways of working to ensure that guests have the best possible experience. Over the years, hospitality trends have come and go, and some have been a permanent fixture. Last year saw the increase of rented apartments from companies such as Airbnb following the high demand for a more localized travel trip. This year, the hotel industry is set to make some huge changes and we’ve explored some of the trends that we might encounter this year. The importance of storytelling To make a hotel stand out from competitors, many marketers are taking to storytelling to bring their venue to life. By using a range of marketing materials including video content, imagery and interactive tours, they are connecting with their audience on a more meaningful level. By injecting personality into their hotel allows guests to understand who they are and their offerings rather than having the same tone as every other leading establishment. It’s vital that it’s incorporated across the whole hotel, from menus to meetings rooms to give off the same message. Unique decor Staying overnight in a luxury hotel is no longer about a night away in a queen-sized bed and a fancy bathroom. Today’s visitors are looking for a exclusive experience that they’ll never forget. This has led to a rise in unique boutique hotels, such as Liverpool’s Hard Days Night Hotel who provide Beatles themed suites and Manchester’s Gotham Hotel. Although hotel design has always had a vital part, today it plays one of the biggest roles in the industry. The design of a hotel also offers guests the chance to establish if this is the right type of hotel for them to stay in! Increased loyalty programmes Although we are aware that loyalty programmes have been in place for many years, hotels should be focusing on their customers and retaining their business. Competition has increased, especially following the rise of cheap accommodation from Airbnb and deals from hotel booking agents. Social media Already a leading influencer in many guest decisions, social media is set to expand during 2017. It's a great chance for hotels to share with their audience events, offers and other visitors experiences at the hotel. Through social, guests can connect on a more personal level whether that's through following the latest Instagram story, or tagging themselves in on Facebook. The rise of mobile check-ins Mobile is leading the way when it comes to making travel plans, whether that’s booking flights, trains or hotel visits through them. Leading airlines across the world have already started allowing passengers to check in by using their mobile, replacing the need to check in and print off boarding cards. Hotels have also followed suit, making it much easier for guests to arrive and check in without any hassle, and check-out in the same way too. High-street hoteliers such as the Marriott have already introduced this scheme but we think 2017 that will be the year when it will plummet vastly. Although these are our predictions for 2017, we are very excited to see what others trends might be introduced to us working in the hospitality industry this year! What do you think will be one of the biggest trends of 2017? Let us know! GB Hospitality x As you may know already, here at team GB Hospitality we are very fond of Gin. And with it still being Ginuary, we thought we’d share with you are top pick of Gin parlours from across the UK. Whether you’re looking for a traditional, old-fashioned bar or the hottest place to hit the city, we are sure you'll find something you like. Fogg’s Gin Parlour, London In the heart of Covent Garden, you’ll find one of London’s most unique Gin bars around, Fogg’s Gin Parlour. For those who are keen to step back in time, then this is a must! Guests are greeted by its ‘front of house’ suitably theme in a tweed waistcoat and moustache who leads them through into the themed bar, which offers up to 300 different types of Gin. They have an endless cocktail menu, with the bar staff on hand to offer advice on trying something new. Throughout the week, they offer a range of offers from G&T Saturdays, Gin Safari and Cream Cakes and Cocktails. As you can imagine, this place gets full quickly so we’d recommend making a reservation! Find it here: 1 New Row, Covent Garden, WC2N 4EA Atlas Bar, Manchester For those looking for a more modern edge parlour, then head to Manchester’s Atlas Bar. Here, you can sample 300 different types of Gin while taking in some of the stunning views from the city. As part of their new year’s resolution, they’ve promised to introduce a new gin each week to their menu (we can hear Gin lovers rejoicing around the world)! As it’s so popular, they’ve now set up a store, The Gin Bible, where you can find out more about your drinks, the latest recipes and buy your favourite drink online. Amazing! Find it here: 376 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LY The Jekyll And Hyde Gin Parlour, Birmingham Step back into the Victorian Era in Birmingham's finest Gin Parlour. Visitors wanting to relax in the parlour must take the staircase where they’ll be escorted back in time. Here you’ll find a selection of 90 gins from across the world. It’s split into two parts (obviously) with one being Mr Hyde’s Main Bar and Dr. Jeryll's Gin Parlour. They offer freshly made food here - all with a cool vintage menu. Find it here: 28 Steelhouse Ln, City Centre, Birmingham, B4 6BJ What’s your favourite gin parlour? Tweet us over at GB Hospitality and let us know! x Ginuary is here (hurrah)! It's the perfect chance for tipple lovers to sample some of the best Gin drinks around. And seeing as the team at GB Hospitality happen to be HUGE Gin fans, we thought we'd share our top favourite gin cocktails recipes so you can make them from the comfort of your own home. Happy Ginning... Aperol Gin Spritz The ultimate classic cocktail has to be the Aperol Gin Spritz that’s perfect for a mid-week treat or for cooling you down on a hot summers night! Ingredients: Juice from 1 lime 4 mint leaves 1tsp of sugar Prosecco 25ml Gin 40ml Aperol How to make: In the bottom of the cocktail glass, mix the mint leaves, lime juice and sugar together. Then add ice to the glass, followed by the gin and aperol. Add a touch of prosecco, stir and relax! Singapore Sling Originating from Singapore, the Singapore Sling continues to be one of the best cocktails ever created! Although it was originally designed to be a woman’s drink because of it pink colouring, it’s since gone onto be a drink loved by all. Ingredients: 25ml Dry Gin 25ml Cherry Brandy 5ml Benedictine 25ml Lemon Juice 5ml Grenadine How to make: Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and continue to shake until it feels chilled. Then pour into an ice-filled glass and enjoy! Salty Dog Although this cocktail can be made with vodka or gin today, traditionally it's always been a gin based cocktail - and delicious enough to make our list! It's definitely a cocktail for those who like sweet and tangy tastes! Ingredients: 25ml gin 50ml grapefruit juice Kosher Salt How to make: Using a highball glass, press a damp rim onto a plate of salt. Simply add ice, vodka and grapefruit juice and stir for the perfect drink. What is your favourite Gin Cocktail? Make sure to tweet us over at @gbhospitality x |
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