Person of the Week

Elena Salvoni, Maitre D, Elena's L'Etoile

Born in 1920 this 89 year old doyenne of the restaurant scene was inducted into the Hall of Fame at this week's inaugural UK Restaurant Manager of the Year event. Elena continues to work five days a week during lunch, having begun her career at the age of 14.

At the awards, established by the Academy of Food & Wine, Lord Thurso's opening speech noted that, "when people ask me what you need to do to become a politician, expecting me to say study a politics or history degree or law, I tell them work behind the front desk of a hotel."

Quote of the Week

"The Lord Mandelson, denied the opportunity to become Foreign Secretary by the sad combination of a Prime Minister too weak to remove his Foreign Secretary and, equally, a Foreign Secretary too weak to challenge the Prime Minister, has gone around instead collecting titles and even whole Departments to add to his name. His title now adds up to, 'The right hon. the Baron Mandelson of Foy in the county of Herefordshire and Hartlepool in the county of Durham, First Secretary of State, Lord President of the Privy Council and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills'. It would be no surprise to wake up in the morning and find that he had become an archbishop."

William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary

Facts of the week

Business Travel Changed for Good according to survey

There has been considerable debate regarding the corporate hospitality market this year, and this survey released by ACTE this week to mark the first Business Travel Market, provides clear evidence of the impact of the recession on this market. Findings include:

• 86.2% of travel buyers from the UK and Europe say cost cutting measures would be retained after full economic recovery.
• 79.2% of respondents making greater use of conference call, webex and tele presence
• 67.9% cutting back on the number of approved trips
• 66% reporting that they now book further in advance for lower cost options
• 49.1% saying class of travel had been downgraded
• Only 7.5% reported a total travel ban, although 26.4% reported a travel ban for non-revenue generating trips.
• Paul Robin founder of Business Travel Market said: "It would appear for the moment that cost saving comes before convenience and there is more focus on compliance to policy and reason to travel."

Download report here

Queen's Birthday Honours List

This positive story reinforces the enduring passion and commitment underpinning the industry

• This year's list recognised a number of individuals for their contribution and services to industry
• Two Knighthoods were awarded in this year's list to Sir Garry Hawkes CBE currently Chairman of the Edge Wivenhoe Trust for his services to business and vocational Training, and Sir William Hastings CBE, Chairman of Hastings Hotel for services to the tourism industry and to the community in Northern Ireland
• Sally Clarke of Clarke's Restaurant, Paul Heathcote, Restaurateur and Andrew Bennett from the Park Lane Hotel were made Members of the Order of the British Empire.

Download the full list here

Article of the week

In this ongoing series from EP magazine, check out this week's article entitled: "No fuss" - click here.

The article is from the June issue of EP, Tim West and Mike Sunley from Lexington Catering talk about their enduring working relationship of more than 25 years in three different companies. Predicting a net profit increase of 40% this year, what has been the hallmark of their partnership?

Master Innholders Scholarships

Hotel Management Scholarships funded by The Worshipful Company of Innholders and The Savoy Educational Trust

Applications are now invited for the Master Innholders Scholarships. Interviews will be held in London in November.

The closing date is 30th June 2009.

At least 12 scholarships are being awarded this year, to be taken during 2010.

The Master Innholders Scholarship Programme awards scholarships annually to managers in the hospitality industry. Successful candidates are granted places on a two week management development course at Cranfield University, Cornell University (USA) or the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne (Switzerland). The entire cost of tuition, board and lodging is included as well as a contribution towards travel to Cornell and Lausanne.

Full details of the application process, the courses on offer, the assessment criteria and background information can be seen by clicking on http://www.MI-scholarships.com