Person of the Week

Ben McEwen
Graduate Management Trainee Lexington Catering

Ben was crowned winner of the Olive Barnett Award for 2009 at an awards ceremony on Monday night, held at the Langham Hotel, London.

Ben commented "Winning the Olive Barnett Award spurs me on to do even more in spreading the word about this fantastic industry and reaffirms for me that the career path I have chosen is absolutely the right one. I am wholeheartedly passionate about it!"

http://springboarduk.net/splash/enewsletter/events/090520/090520.html

Quote of the Week

"My net worth fluctuates and it goes up and down with markets and with attitudes and with feelings. Even my own feelings."

A statement from Donald Trump's deposition for a lawsuit where he is suing a writer for calling him a millionaire and not a billionaire.

Article of the week

Check out this week's article on Drew Nieporent, the US restaurateur who launched Nobu with Robert DeNiro and Nobu Matushisa. It's entitled "Restaurants are a bit like theatre".

The issue of EP magazine will be out on 1 June with a new look and a variety of articles covering all sectors of the industry. You can subscribe online by clicking here.

Facts of the week

Hottest new luxury hotels: shooting for five stars

• This upbeat article reports on luxury hotel projects throughout the world, reporting that resorts around the world are pushing ahead with plans to open this year.
• The Maldives, Bali, New York, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi are cited as hotspots.
• Bernard Agache, senior Vice-President, Leading Hotels of the World, notes that "The global economic crisis has delayed many openings and postponed major renovation projects but the qualified projects are still being executed."
• The article reports that the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has confirmed all tourism projects will be delivered to plan, whilst the Emirates Hotels and resorts AUD$100 million Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa will open in the Blue Mountains Heritage Area, New South Wales, later this year. GM Joost Heymeijer comments, "Just like everyone else, we're concerned about the effects of the financial crisis on high-end tourism. But the feedback we've received so far has been extremely positive."

Source: theage.com

Are we getting fatter, as our wallets get thinner?

• There has been a wealth of reporting this week dedicated to the subject of eating fruit and vegetables versus the inevitably cheaper options in our supermarkets as we all become increasingly budget conscious.
• Sales of fruit are down 8% compared to one year ago, whilst vegetables are down 7%.
• Conversely, sales of crisps and snacks are up 12% compared to one year ago, whilst frozen pizza sales are up 6%.
• Meanwhile, in a separate BBC report, the World Cancer Research Fund has provided nutritional advice to consumers on how to eat enough fruit and veg for under £1 a day. They are concerned shoppers will ditch healthy food, but argue that a limited budget should not be a barrier to healthy eating.
• Shopping in season and using cheaper tinned or frozen produce are amongst the tips provided.

Source: dailymail.co.uk
Source: bbc.co.uk

EP London Leadership Forum

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Tourism, will be speaking our next London Leadership Forum (sponsored by Vantis) on Tuesday, 9 June. Stay tuned for a report from this event in a future issue of EP.