Insights - Bookachef

The Rise of Food Halls: What It Means for Hospitality in 2026

Industry reports say food halls are growing fast. The UK went from 114 food halls to 149 between 2025 and 2026, and another 65 are being built. This is one of the biggest growth stories in the industry right now.

Why Nursing Homes Need Reliable Hospitality Support More Than Ever

When people think about hospitality jobs, they usually picture restaurants or hotels. But food service in places like nursing homes is just as important, and sometimes even more so. Nursing homes are one of them.

How Hospitality Has Changed Since the 90s

The 90s. Big hair, neon lights, boy bands, and the comforting sense of “simpler times”. It’s no wonder people are loving the nostalgia right now. But even though the style is returning, hospitality works very differently than it did back then.

Hospitality Industry News: March 2026 Round-Up

Reporting from The Caterer shows a sector increasingly split between decline and growth. On one hand, operators are closing sites at pace under cost pressures. On the other, new openings, contract wins, and industry investment continue to push forward.

Gen Z Is Drinking Less: What This Means for Restaurants & Gastro Pubs

For years, bars, gastro pubs and restaurants relied on alcohol sales as a significant revenue driver, but a noticeable shift is happening among the youngest adult consumers, Gen Z.

UK Best Culinary Inspiration Trips for Chefs

Chefs are always looking for inspiration, not just for menus, but for new techniques, ingredients, and experiences that can elevate their kitchen’s offering. The UK is full of culinary hotspots that spark creativity.

What Every Head Chef Wants Their Employer to Know

At Bookachef, we’ve spoken to chefs across the UK to uncover what they want their employers to know.

Hospitality Industry News: Last Month's Round-Up

The hospitality industry has settled into 2026 and its realities: tighter margins, sharper competition and a clear divide between operators who are adapting quickly and those being left behind.

Where the Chefs Go: Birmingham & Surrounding Area Eats

Chefs are some of the best people to ask about great food. When the service ends and the kitchen lights dim, they’re out finding inspiration for their own menus.

Where the Chefs Eat: Manchester & Liverpool Insider Guide

If you’re in Manchester or Liverpool, we’ve spoken to some of the chefs on the Bookachef platform to uncover their favourite local eateries, cafes, and casual spots where they eat, drink, and unwind.

Bookachef Expands Across the UK: Where Should We Head Next?

Great kitchens aren’t a coincidence. They are built by great people, in great places, with the right support. That’s exactly why Bookachef was created.

Celebrating Chester Restaurant Week with Our Team’s Restaurant Favourites

With our headquarters proudly in Chester, this week feels like a celebration of the city we call home and the incredible restaurant scene we are lucky to work alongside every day.

Temp to Perm: The Safest Way to Recruit a Chef

Temp to perm allows you to bring a chef into your kitchen on a temporary basis, with the option to offer them a permanent role once you’re confident they’re the right fit.

January Is the Peak Month for Chef Turnover – and What to Do If You’ve Lost A Chef

If your chef has left after Christmas, it can put immediate strain on service - especially when budgets are already stretched.

Survival Guide for January: How Hospitality Can Survive the Toughest Month

January has always been one of the hardest months for hospitality, but this year the pressure feels greater than ever.

Best Restaurant Deals This January in Manchester, Birmingham & The Midlands

January has become one of the best months of the year for diners across the UK, with restaurants offering generous discounts to keep things lively after the festive season.

What Kitchens Can Expect in 2026: Why Temporary chefs Will Play A Bigger Role Than Ever

Change is coming fast, and those who adapt quickly will be the ones standing strong.

A Letter From Your Head Chef (The letter your chef is desperate to send you… but scared to tell you.)

December pushes even the best of chefs to breaking point. Here's the letter your head chef wants to send you, but is too scared.

Give Your Kitchen the Best Start to January by Easing the Christmas Pressure

As we edge closer to January, hospitality businesses are bracing for the festive rush while also worrying about the cost pressures that hit hard in the new year.

Autumn Budget 2025: What It Means for Restaurants & Gastro Pubs

The Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2025 delivered a tough package for small businesses, and hospitality sits right at the sharp end.

Finding the Right Chefs When You Need Them Most: Why Kitchens Across the North West, Wales & The Midlands Choose BookAChef

As any professional in the hospitality industry knows, recruiting and retaining talented chefs is one of the biggest ongoing challenges. Kitchens thrive on skill and teamwork, but finding chefs who tick all those boxes, especially at short notice, isn’t easy.

Bookachef’s guide to Manchester Christmas Markets 2025

Bookachef has rounded up the must-visit stalls and foodie finds at this year’s Manchester Christmas Markets:

Celebrating our stars: The Bookachef Gold chef CHEFmas Party 2025

At Bookachef, our chefs are at the heart of everything we do. This Christmas, we’re taking a moment to say thank you.

Why Freelance Chefs Are the Future of Hospitality

Freelance chefs are quickly becoming a vital part of how modern hospitality operates, and for good reason.

From Trail to Table: Cosy Pubs to Relax After a Hike in the Peak District

Whether you’re exploring the rugged edges of Stanage or strolling through the charming villages of Bakewell and Castleton, the region has some incredible welcoming pubs that offer the perfect post-hike experience.

Rising Food Costs: How Restaurants Can Stay Competitive Without Cutting Quality

The UK hospitality industry is under pressure. But with the right strategies, and the right support, it’s possible to stay competitive and profitable.

Manchester’s Best New Openings: A Bookachef Insider’s Guide

At Bookachef, we work closely with chefs and venues across the region, giving us a unique perspective on the kitchens and concepts making waves right now.

Birmingham’s Most instagrammable food hotspots: Bookachef’s guide to where to Dine & snap

Birmingham isn’t just the UK’s second city, it’s fast becoming one of the most photogenic foodie destinations in the country.

What November’s Budget Could Mean for Hospitality

As we approach November’s Autumn Statement, hospitality businesses are watching closely. What help, if any, can we expect? And what should operators be doing now to protect their margins?

Cheshire’s Growing Pub Scene: Bookachef’s Guide to Where to Dine & unwind

Bookachef proudly champions the country’s thriving pub scene because great food deserves to be celebrated and shared.

Limited Company, PAYE or Umbrella: What’s the Best Setup for Agency Chefs?

If you're working as a freelance or agency chef, you’ve probably heard terms like limited company, PAYE, and umbrella company. But what do they actually mean, and which is right for you?

The True Cost of Running Short-Staffed in the Kitchen

When your kitchen is underpowered, and you’re short-staffed, the impact can be more damaging than many realise.

Cheers to the Chefs: Raising a Beer to Culinary Talent Across the UK

Great kitchens are powered by great chefs. That’s why the Bookachef platform was built: to connect hospitality venues with experienced, reliable chefs, quickly and transparently.

Why Chefs Should Consider Becoming a Limited Company

If you're a freelance or contract chef working in restaurants, at events, or in private homes, you've may have thought about the structure of your company.

Why Temporary Chefs Are No Longer a Last Resort But Your Smartest Hire

If you're a restaurant or gastropub owner, chances are you’ve thought of temporary chefs as a last resort. Here’s why hiring temp chefs may actually save you money, reduce risk, and improve your kitchen’s performance.

The Rise of Freelance Chefs: What It Means for the Hospitality Industry

The UK hospitality sector is evolving quickly, and one of the most notable changes is the rise of freelance chefs. As restaurants, gastro pubs, private dining businesses, and catering companies adapt to a more flexible, fast-paced environment, the demand for on-demand chef services is higher than ever.

Hospitality Staffing Insights