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Academy of Culinary Arts
Professional association for head chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers and quality suppliers. Concerned with raising standards and public awareness of food, food provenance, cooking and service, as well as helping to attract young people into the industry through education and training programmes.
Academy of Food & Wine Service
Professional body for front of house staff – including food and wine waiting staff and bar assistants. Its aim is to improve the basic knowledge of restaurant staff. Provides skills seminars and training programmes.
Arena
Industry networking group, organising lunches, lectures and meetings throughout the year.
Ark for Business (The)
Dedicated consultancy focused on helping hospitality employers prevent alcohol and drug misuse becoming a problem. The Ark also helps with practical, legal and ethical issues that organisations need to consider in order to develop the right policy.
Association Culinaire Française
Chefs’ association that can trace its history back to 1845. Run by chefs, for chefs. Its aims are to maintain professional standards of cuisine and to encourage learning and skills.
Association of Catering Excellence
Previously known as the European Catering Association, this organisation encourages caterers and associates from all sectors of the food service industry to network, exchange ideas, socialise and keep in touch. Members include managers, chefs, accountants, consultants, students and suppliers.
Association of Pastry Chefs
Aims to encourage young people into the industry, promote products, share ideas and techniques, and raise public awareness and appreciation. Membership is open to pastry chefs, pastry commis and companies supplying products and services for pastry chefs.
Automatic Vending Association
The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) has been serving the industry for over 75 years and represents all sectors - machine manufacturers and distributors, suppliers of commodities and operators.
Best Practice Forum
The aim of the Best Practice Forum is to encourage businesses in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry to introduce new ideas and innovations by adopting or adapting best practice – so raising their efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.
British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD)
BACD is the oldest of the UK conference industry associations and plays a vital role in supporting, promoting and representing British conference destinations.
British Association of Hospitality Accountants
Aims to promote the highest professional standards in financial management within the hospitality industry, while also sharing ideas and promoting best practice.
British Hospitality Association
National trade association for hotels, restaurants and caterers, the BHA’s primary role is to lobby government across the UK and in Europe, representing the views of the industry.
Confederation of Tourism Hotel Catering Management
The confederation was established in 1982 to provide recognised standards of management and vocational training appropriate to the needs of the hotel and travel industries.
Craft Guild of Chefs
Association representing the interests of chefs, aiming to raise professional standards, increase awareness and further skills, careers, education and training. Organisers of Knorr National Chef of the Year and other key culinary competitions and awards.
Federation of Small Businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses works for and lobbies on behalf of small businesses across the UK
Food Development Association
The UK’s leading representative body for all those involved in food development. FDA members work across all sectors of the industry – from foodservice to retail – and range from development chefs and new product development managers to food technologists and nutritionists.
Guild of Food Writers
The Guild of Food Writers is the professional association of food writers and broadcasters in the UK. Established in 1984, it now has over 360 authors, columnists, freelance journalists and broadcasters amongst its members. It offers to professional support and guidance to members, its busy calendar including an annual lecture dinner and AGM, annual awards open to all, monthly workshops, talks, occasional professional and social events as well as a bi-monthly publication, Savour, and a comprehensive, detailed annual directory of members. It also has a regularly updated website at www.gfw.co.uk. In the public forum the Guild campaigns with authority for improvements in the awareness and quality of food in every sector of society. To find out more or to become a member contact Jonathan Woods jonathan@gfw.co.uk.
Healthcare Caterers International
Global alliance of membership associations representing caterers, hospitality professionals, and foodservice managers in healthcare industries to benefit the members of each participating association.
Hospitable Climates
Hospitable Climates is a free energy-saving advisory programme, managed on behalf of the Carbon Trust by the Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) and dedicated to the hospitality sector.
Hospital Caterers Association
Founded in 1948, the HCA is a national organisation with branches in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its aims are the promotion and improvement of the standards of catering in hospitals and healthcare establishments; education and training; and improving the professional interests and status of health care caterers.
Hospitality Action
Hospitality charity dedicated to helping those from the industry who find themselves in need. Includes the Ark Foundation, which educates on the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse.
Hospitality Assured
Quality standard for service and business excellence in the hospitality industry.
Institute of Hospitality (formerly the HCIMA)
Professional body aiming to promote high standards of management and education within the hospitality industry. Provides a variety of information and education services, including a series of small business seminars.
Institute of Masters of Wine
The Institute of Masters of Wine exists to promote the highest level of educational achievement for the wine industry, culminating in the internationally recognised qualification of Master of Wine (MW). It also runs tastings and other events programmes. The website includes excellent links to other wine sites and a recommended reading list.
International Travel Catering Association
The ITCA grew out of International Flight Catering Association, which was formed in the UK in 1980 as a forum and representative body for all companies involved in the inflight service industry. In 2005 this was opened up to include both the rail and shipping industries as well as inflight. Membership includes caterers, suppliers of products and equipment, and airline/sea/rail operators.
Local Authority Caterers Association
LACA is the professional body representing 1,000 catering managers and suppliers who provide catering services to all sectors of Local Authorities in England, Wales and Scotland. Local authority caterers are responsible for providing: school meals, civic and social services catering.
Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC)
Promotional body for British beef, pork and lamb. Its foodservice website includes downloadable guides, recipes, and training links.
Meetings Industry Association
Professional organisation for the meetings industry in the UK and Ireland. Committed to improving the standards of the UK meetings industry.
National Association of Care Catering (NACC)
Body representing nearly 500 professionals providing catering to the care industry, including meals on wheels, care homes and residential homes.
Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS)
Established in 2004, the NCASS represents mobile caterers, sandwich bars, buffet and corporate hospitality caterers, burger bars, delivery rounds, takeaways, pizza bars, fish and chips and others in the fast food industry, together with suppliers to the trade.
NetRegs
NetRegs is the primary trusted source of guidance on environmental legislation for any businesses that process food and drink in the UK, offering free guidance by Business Type and Environmental Topic. Set up by the UK's three environmental regulators, the site is easy-to-use and all visitors remain anonymous - there is no need to register.
People 1st
The Sector Skills Council for the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industries, its aim is to make sure that the skills employers need are the skills they get.
School Food Trust
The School Food Trust was established by the Department for Education and Skills in September 2005. Its remit is to transform school food and food skills, promote the education and health of children and young people and improve the quality of food in schools.
Springboard UK
Organisation that promotes careers in hospitality, leisure, tourism and travel to a range of potential recruits and influencers through a network of centres across the UK.
The University Caterers Association (TUCO)
Established in 1963, TUCO’s aims are to promote quality standards in the practice of catering and associated services within universities and colleges in the UK; to advance education and training; and to provide a forum for members.
World Association of Chefs’ Societies
The World Association of Chefs' Societies is a global network of chefs’ associations first founded in October 1928 in Paris. Today it has 72 official chefs associations as members.
The Anaphlaxis Campaign
www.cateringforallergy.org is a free resource website where catering staff can access information and practical advice to help them deal with the increasing number of allergic consumers.
British Cheese Board
Marketing board for British cheese, which aims to educate and inform the public about the benefits of British cheese.
British Contract Furnishing Association
The British Contract Furnishing Association is the leading trade association representing the UK contract furniture and furnishings industry. The BCFA’s aim is to bring together manufacturers and contract furnishers and to inform the architect, specifier and interior designer of the wide range of products and services available.
British Potato Council
Marketing board for British potato varieties. Its trade website features recipes, various publications and information on handling and storage.
Business Link
The small business support and advice service, providing free, impartial and comprehensive advice to businesses to help them start up and grow.
Catering Equipment Distributors Association
Aims to encourage and assist its members through training, advice, support and benefits to operate profitable businesses that are recognised by customers to deliver the highest standards of advice, service and value for money.
Catering Equipment Suppliers Association
CESA represents more than 100 companies who supply commercial catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchens. Its website includes useful buying guides to all the main categories of equipment.
Council for Hospitality Management Education
Voluntary, non-profit-making body that represents universities and colleges offering courses in the management of hospitality businesses.
The Culinary Arts Studio
The Studio offers courses such as HACCP, product development, product launches, food sampling, focus groups also as a Cookery Team Building venue (Team Cuisine).
Decanter
Comprehensive wine website, including wine news, recommendations, wine finder, vintage guides, archive of articles, courses and events.
Food From Britain
The market development consultancy for British food and drink, funded by government and industry. Its aims are to maximise exports of UK food and drink, and to increase production and consumption of quality regional food and drink.
Foodservice Consultants Society International (UK)
Professional association for foodservice consultants. The FCSI website includes a “find a consultant” section including kitchen and restaurant design consultants, and management consultants.
Food Standards Agency
The FSA is an independent government department set up in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.
Game to Eat
Promotional body for British game. Website includes news, information and recipes.
Health & Safety Executive – catering website
The HSE catering website includes free guides to subjects such as manual handling, and slips, trips and falls.
Hospitality Awarding Body
The Hospitality Awarding Body (HAB) is the UK's specialist awarding body for hospitality qualifications and also awards a number of one-day generic and service-sector qualifications.
National Association of Catering Butchers
The NACB is an approved body with a set of standards that a company must conform to and pass independent inspection before being allowed to join. Website includes a directory of member butchers.
Professional Association For Catering Education
Regional and national network whose aim is to encourage catering educational institutions to work together to manage the challenges of continual change within hospitality and catering education.
Regional Food and Drink
Site from Food From Britain featuring a directory of more than 3,000 regional food and drink producers in the UK.
Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish)
The Sea Fish Industry Authority delivers expert knowledge, skills and support that help the UK seafood industry. Online resources for caterers include a recipe database, publications and educational posters.
United Kingdom Tea Council
The United Kingdom Tea Council is an independent, non-profit making body dedicated to promoting tea. Its website includes the Tea Guild channel, for outlets brewing and serving top-quality tea.
Vegan Society
Promotes the vegan lifestyle, which involves avoiding the use of all animal-derived products. Includes useful catering and cookery section.
Vegetarian Society
Offers expert advice on nutritional issues and provides free information to individuals, companies and organisations. Includes dedicated Caterers’ Pages and Cordon Vert School professional chef training.
Wine & Spirit Education Trust
London-based global organisation providing courses in both wines and spirits, plus a range of qualifications, for professionals and enthusiastic amateurs.
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April 2008
- IN BUSINESS: How Joe Mead helped launch Operon's catering arm
- PROFILE: Sri Lankan Lahiru Jayasekera - head chef at 23
- TOP STORY: Caterers urged to back coeliac awareness campaign
- ON SITE: Royal Docks School offers 'best practice' example
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