Restaurant Associates UK

The sun was out for our latest volunteering day where some of our senior team had the privilege of spending time at Edward Woods Community Centre in London; using their DIY and interior design skills to create a more welcoming and functional space for the community members who use the centre. Ming Lai, Regional Managing Director at Restaurant Associates UK, was one of the volunteers and shared his thoughts on the day: “It was a brilliant and rewarding day with the team. This was our second annual volunteering day, and the team supported by painting, weeding, and installing a feature wallpaper to spruce up the centre and its facilities. I am extremely proud of the efforts from this team, who are always committed to supporting others whenever the opportunity presents itself.” At Restaurant Associates UK, we're committed to ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to volunteer and participate in team-building activities outside of the business. We achieve this through our partnership with Neighbourly, who connects us with community charities and projects where we can make a real difference. These volunteering days also contribute to Compass Group UK & Ireland's wider "Mission to a Million" initiative, which aims to support one million people by 2030 through jobs, training, community engagement, and development. By participating, we're making a meaningful impact on the community and reinforcing our commitment to this ambitious goal. #restaurantassociates #oneteam #ownit #givingback #communityfirst

💦 World Water Week (25-29 August) is happening - the leading global conference addressing water-related issues. 💦 At Restaurant Associates, we are committed to supporting ethical initiatives, partnering with brands like Life Water, which ensures that all profits are directed toward funding clean water projects worldwide through its partner charity, DROP4DROP. Through our collective efforts, Restaurant Associates has funded 59 clean water projects to date. These projects have involved the installation of wells in communities across India, Malawi, and Mozambique, providing nearly 60,000 people with access to clean water. These success stories are made possible through the simple act of our guests purchasing bottled water at our venues. #worldwaterweek #drop4drop #lifewater #WWWK

Heading to London this week....before the schools go back? Why not stop off at the Design Museum and experience our new menu. With a focus on fresh, plant-based ingredients and locally sourced produce, the offerings range from light bites and salads to an all-day brunch. Highlights include: 🍅 Courgette, Soft Herb Ricotta, and Smoked Tomato Flatbread 🥖 Design Kitchen Club Sandwich 🥦 Chickpea Pancakes with Roasted Broccoli, Kimchi, and Sesame 🍄 Sauteed Mushrooms with Crème Fraiche and Chives on toasted Wildfarmed Sourdough Plus, don’t miss the classic Afternoon Tea 🍰 which promises a stylish and delectable experience. It's the perfect culinary complement to a day exploring the museum's exhibits. View the new menus here - https://lnkd.in/eRGNu_MK #designmuseum #plantbased #newmenu #schoolholidays  

🌿 National Plant Milk Day 🌿 There are countless options available when it comes to selecting a plant-based milk to pair with our coffee. The market is now flooded with possibilities, including almond, oat, coconut, and even more unusual options like macadamia, cashew, and pea milk! We chatted with Jack O'Keele, Head of Coffee at Restaurant Associates UK, to learn more about plant milk and what the future holds. “The last ten years have seen an explosion in plant-based milk production. Linked more to those with lactose intolerance, Soya was the main offering, but we have since seen almond and other nut variations enter the scene and now oat milk is on top. “The main drivers of this in the UK being the rise in veganism and environmentally thoughtful consumption. When it comes to pairing coffee and plant-based milk, I'd expect to see more alternatives to emerge over the next few years with a greater focus on nutrition – the next wave coming from beans. They have the advantages of being free from major allergens and have a better nutritional profile than oats.” In honour of National Plant Milk Day, why not switch things up and try a different coffee this afternoon? #plantmilk #plantbaseddiet #lactoseintolerance #vegan #excellence #coffeetime

⭐ Bookings Now Open ⭐ On Wednesday 18th September we are hosting a special Native Supper Club at Maria G’s Fulham between 6.30pm – 9pm. Native is an award winning, sustainably focused restaurant in Tenbury Wells, Herefordshire, known for its commitment to hyper-local sourcing and zero-waste cooking. Collaborating with Co-founders, Ivan and Imogen, our culinary team will be crafting a delectable selection of sustainable dishes that highlight the finest in modern British cuisine, emphasising seasonal and ethical ingredients. Join us for an evening of culinary adventure, starting with a complimentary welcome drink and an assortment of canapés, followed by a three-course meal. Enjoy the warm ambience of our modern brasserie & bar, perfectly situated on the waterside with stunning views overlooking the River Thames. For more details and to reserve your table, click here: https://bit.ly/3YV5Rfi #native #seasonalfood #supperclub #inseasonnow #finedining

Earlier this month our culinary team took a trip to the Lake District to visit one of Restaurant Associates key suppliers, Lake District Farmers Ltd. It was a fully immersive two-day trip for team ‘Collaborate’, consisting of both chefs and front-of-house staff working towards their Level 4 Hospitality Manager Apprenticeship. A value-added trip organised as part of our bespoke Collaborate Programme, it was an opportunity to spend valuable time with the farmers, learning about the heritage of the animals and witnessing the care and treatment they receive throughout their lives. Adam Thomason, Culinary Director at Restaurant Associates UK and a team member who helped organise this trip shared his thoughts on the experience: “From a culinary point of view, there is no better way to truly connect to the produce we use than visiting the source and understanding where it comes from. "It was truly amazing to see first-hand how our farmers look after their cattle and their dedication to ensuring their well-being. I really believe this makes all the difference to the ingredients on the plate". Read more about the trip here - https://bit.ly/3SSBPox #lakedistrictfarmers #sustainbility #greenliving #ethicaleating Adam Thomason Stephanie Robertson DipWSET

🍷 It's National Pinot Noir Day 🍷 A perfect occasion to raise a glass of this elegant wine as you enjoy your Sunday Roast. Our Head of Experience, Stephanie Robertson, shares her insights and personal favourites when it comes to making selections. “Pinot Noir can be a tricky wine. With its susceptibility to disease, it can make it costly to grow and make. When looking for value for money look for Pinot Noirs from Central Otago in New Zealand for a wonderfully full-flavoured and ripe wine! “I would also have a look at what the UK has to offer, such as the Bolney Wine Estate Pinot Noir; almost Burgundian in style its red fruit offers earthy flavours with subtle oak aging. Pinot Noir, black grape variety is my favourite as it takes some real finesse to create an outstanding wine at such a good price.” #winetasting #redwine #winetime #excellence  Stephanie Robertson DipWSET Gavin Gooddy

✨This week, we hosted an exclusive Afternoon Tea event at our beautiful new venue in Kensington, **Maria G’s**, to mark #AfternoonTeaWeek. 🎉 This special event brought together some of our brilliant **Women in Food ambassadors** alongside the incredibly talented **Cherish Finden 🇸🇬🇬🇧 **, judge of Bake Off: The Professionals. 🍰 Our esteemed guests enjoyed an exquisite selection of treats, including delicate tarts, freshly baked plain & matcha scones, and the most divine lemon drizzle cake. 🌸 Savoury highlights included the delectable **Steam Pork & Prawn Sui Mai** with tobiko orange, shiitake mushroom, and sesame oil, served with XO sauce – a flavour experience to remember. 🥢 A truly unforgettable celebration of culinary excellence, women in food, and the art of afternoon tea. ☕️🍽️ #AfternoonTea #CulinaryExcellence #WomenInFood #RestaurantAssociates #MariaGs #CherishFinden #BakingPerfection #AfternoonDelights Adam Thomason Jonathan Gray Sara Senior Kate Crabb

⭐ COMPETITION TIME ⭐ Our Restaurant Associates Venues are holding a competition in honour of National Afternoon Tea Week, with the prize being the chance for one lucky winner and their companion to experience the splendour of afternoon tea at the Design Museum in London. To take part, follow their page. Full details is provided below and here: https://bit.ly/3M4PUeH 🥂 The perfect experience to elevate a visit to London - the competition ends this weekend. 🍰 #indulgence #Britishtradition #competition #designmuseumlondon

We believe that nourishing meals should be a balanced blend of plants and quality protein and our guests truly appreciate dishes that marry convenience with health. Last week we had the pleasure of working with partner chef, Clare Gray to present a pop-up event to showcase her delightful nutritious creations that not only satisfy but also nourish - demonstrating her expertise and commitment to healthy dining. #feelgoodeating #healthyeating #nourishingfood #claregray