Over the last two weeks we have been running a competition to raise awareness amongst our Hi-Life members about our  in-app membership card.

Tony & Kay Scott were entered into the prize draw after downloading and syncing their membership.  They were thrilled to find out that they had won - here’s what they said;

Dear Niccy,
What a lovely surprise phone call to receive.
We have never visited Paris before and were saying only the other day that we really should go.
The iPhone App is a really useful tool, always providing us with the most up to date Hi-Life locations where ever we are  – and in our case it has proved to be even better than expected!

Thank you so much,
Tony and Kay

Michael Caines MBE , Michelin-starred chef and Patron of Hospitality Action has launched theHospitality Action Restaurant Appeal 2012.

The Appeal enables restaurants to show their commitment to its industry charity and raise much-needed funds, without having to spend a single penny. Hospitality Action, is looking to partner with a wide network of restaurants throughout England during its annual HA Fundraising Week, from 14th – 20th May.

Restaurants can help simply by encouraging diners to add a discretionary donation of £1 to their bill, for just one week, and help support those in crisis in our industry and make a real difference!

About Hospitality Action : As a Patron of Hospitality Action, Michael highlights how important the work of the charity is in offering vital assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK and find themselves in crisis. With ever increasing pleas for help, it is more important than ever that we raise even more money this year only with your help will this be possible.

We would love to have your restaurant on board for this appeal.

To register or to find out more, please contact Emily on 0203 004 5503 or email fundraising@hospitalityaction.org.uk.

On Saturday 10th March at the Point, Lancashire Cricket Club there is an amazing night of disco heaven planned!! With 2 original 80′s bands Heaven 17 and Go West, AND Radio 1′s Nihal is the DJ for the VIP aftershow party. This event is bought to you by  Boot Out Breast Cancer, Debbie Dowie’s charity. The Charity is run purely by volunteers ensuring every penny raised goes towards much needed equipment in the NHS.  They have recently purchased 2 items of diagnostic equipment for the Royal Bolton hospital and just placed an order for the Nightingale Centre, University hospital of South Manchester.  They have pledged to buy equipment for the Breakthrough Research Centre next to Christies. Please have a look at Debbie’s website www.bootoutbreastcancer.org.uk

Win an iPad 2 Competition!

Winner announced !!

Thrilled Hi-Life member Sarah Martin is the lucky winner of a fabulous iPad 2!

Sarah downloaded and registered our new iPhone app and was entered into the free prize draw for our January competition.

Sarah, pictured here with her prize has been a Hi-Life member since 2011,  and on hearing

Sarah and her NEW iPad2!

the news she said….”WOW – I was so excited when I heard the news… I had to have a cup of tea and calm down!  I love being in Hi-Life, and when I saw the competition I thought what the heck and downloaded the app to my phone.   Having the app is great, it’s really handy especially in London, and winning an iPad 2 is just fantastic. I’m totally thrilled. Thank you!”

Room appoints new head chef

The 2 AA Rosette restaurant, Room on King Street, Manchester has promoted their senior sous chef, Nick Dawson following the departure of their award winning head chef, Pete Taylor to London.

Pete Taylor said of Nick “We interviewed a number of good chefs, but Nick’s abilities, attitude and understanding of the Room concept made him the best man for the job.”

28 year Nick Dawson came to work with Pete Taylor 5 years ago via the 1 Michelin Starred Vineyard at Stocks Cross and the 3AA Rosette Anthony’s in Leeds.

“The whole Room team are delighted at the natural progression in the kitchen with Nick’s appointment as Head Chef. He is popular with both kitchen and front of house staff. We are looking forward to his take on the Room twist and continuing to achieve the accolades of the past year” says General manager Jamie Jones.

Room restaurant was awarded 2 AA Rosettes in January 2011.

In October 2011 it was voted Cheshire Life and Lancashire Life ‘Manchester restaurant of the Year’

Pete Taylor was a finalist in the MFDF Awards – best chef and won the Chef Mentor Award at the Great Northern Cook Off.

Room is a 2AA Rosette Restaurant and cocktail bar situated in the old Manchester Reform Club at 81, King Street, Manchester.

More details: Jacqueline@oliviahenryassoc.co.uk

We are looking forward to some top notch entertainment at our National Awards on 3rd Feb.

Celtic Fever are amongst our performers ~ and they are truly entertaining.

A story of Ireland told through music and song, this is Irish magic with superb musicianship.  A brilliant celebration of all things Irish, performed by all female Irish trio, this infectious live entertainment is performed by lead Fiddle player from ‘The essence of Ireland’  alongside established songstress Anita Ryan & Bride O’Brien.  This show will be sure to give you shivers down your spine through haunting vocals, and have you Jigging around the room to the best known reels.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the night… Niccy

Its not often that we get the chance to just sit back, relax  so we are all looking forward to The National Awards!

If you’re coming along then you’ll find yourself experiencing the magical Motown sound of The Manhattans.  These four guys really know how to entertain.  Listen to classic Motown and soul hits from The Temptations, The Stylistics, Barry White, The Drifters, Boyz 2 Men, Billy Ocean and many more.  All delivered with style, charisma and outstanding talent.  The UK’s finest tribute to this wonderful era.

It’s going to be a night to remember for the deserving winners of this year’s Hi Life Awards or HILDAs as they are fondly known in the industry on Friday 3^rd February 2012.  Thousands of votes have been cast both in the post and online by Hi-Life members across the country and the category finalists can now be revealed.

This delicious roll-call of food super-heroes and heroines who work tirelessly all year round to make eating out such a delight for the great British public clearly demonstrates that Hi-Life members not only have great taste but are only too happy to support their favourite chefs and restaurants so they win the much-prized accolade.

The ultimate winners will be announced by TV presenter and journalist, Paul Ross, at a glittering gala dinner at The Midland Hotel, Manchester where the UK’s favourite dining club, (www.hi-life.co.uk) hosts its eleventh annual awards dinner sponsored for the second year by Secured Mail. 

The short-listed entries are as follows:

Best Newcomer

• Paris House, Milton Keynes
• Bem Brasil, Manchester
• Sapporo Teppanyaki, Liverpool
• The Grill at the Seacroft, Holyhead
• The Fine Dining Restaurant, Priest House Hotel, Derby

Best Restaurant Group/Chain

• Living Ventures
• Prezzo
• The Living Room
• Pizza Hut
• Loch Fyne

Best Dining Atmosphere

• Wheeler’s of St. James’s The Kings Arms, Haslemere
• Michael Caines Restaurant, ABode Chester
• Rhubarb Food Design, London
• Panoramic, Liverpool
• Sanguine Hospitality, Dartmouth

Best Ireland Restaurant

• The Cloth Ear
• CoCo
• No. 27 Talbot Street
• Cafe Novo
• Apartment

Best Scotland Restaurant

• Al Dente Restaurant
• Monteiths
• Zucca Restaurant
• A Room in Leith
• Howgate Restaurant & Bistro

Best Yorkshire & North East Restaurant

• The Olive Tree (Rodley Lane), Leeds
• van Zeller Restaurant, Harrogate
• The White Room at Seaham Hall, Seaham
• Clocktower at Rudding Park, Harrogate
• As You Like It, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Best North West Restaurant

• Grenache, Manchester
• The Red Cat, Chorley
• The Walled Garden, Preston
• Stock Restaurant, Manchester
• The Villa, Preston

Best South England Restaurant

• Squid Ink Restaurant, Looe
• Wheeler’s of St. James’s The Kings Arms, Haslemere
• Cafe Spice Namaste, London
• The Tramshed, Bath
• Seagrass Restaurant, St. Ives

Best Platinum Restaurant

• Panoramic, Liverpool
• Pecks Restaurant, Congleton
• The London Carriage Works, Liverpool
• Middlethorpe Hall, York
• Michael Caines Restaurant, ABode Chester

Best Chef                                                                                                                           

• Christopher Cleghorn, ABode Chester                                                  
• Phil Fanning, Paris House
• Tom van Zeller, van Zeller Restaurant
• Nigel Smith, The Villa
• Enzo Mauro, Stock

Best Telegraph Subscriber Dining Club Restaurant                                           

• The Gardeners Arms, Tewkesbury                                                          
• 39 Prime, Reigate
• The Living Room, Manchester
• Crab & Lobster, Thirsk
• Howgate Restaurant & Bistro, Penicuik

Best Overall Restaurant

• Crab & Lobster, Thirsk
• The Walled Garden, Preston
• Michael Caines Restaurant, ABode Chester
• Room, Manchester
• The French, Midland Hotel, Manchester

Hi-Life currently has over 3,500 restaurant partners throughout the UK and over 200,000 members of their Club including Platinum Members all of whom enjoy 2 for 1 dining on an annual basis.

As well as Award host Paul Ross, American singing sensation, Gwen Dickey of Rose-Royce fame will also entertain guests on the night.  She will perform some of her classic R&B singles including “Car Wash,” “I Wanna Get Next to You,” “Wishing on a Star”, “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and “I’m Going Down” to name but a few.  Other surprise performers are set to thrill along the way too.

New elements for 2012 include:

• leading table-setting supplier Duni is not only sponsoring the Best Dining Atmosphere category but also mystery shopping the top five nominees in the category
• a filmed ‘cook-off’ in the Best Chef category sponsored by Dawnvale. Judged by Matthew Norman former British Press Awards winner as both Columnist and Food and Drink Writer of the Year and Daily Telegraph Food critic as well as Elizabeth Carter (Editor of the Good Food Guide) and one lucky Hi-Life member,Owen Roberts (who was selected from a HI-Life Facebook competition).

Said Lisa Lund, Commercial Director of Hi-Life,

“What a great way to start the New Year – a treasure trove of superb chefs and restaurants that fly the British flag for outstanding cuisine and superlative service.  The short-listed nominees feature well-known foodie favourites and some new rising stars and that’s how we like it – as with every industry the benchmark has got to continually improve and be challenged and it all adds to the excitement on the night itself.  The atmosphere is always electric and the camaraderie is second to none. With just under a month to go now to the actual awards, we are in full swing with the final preparations and we can’t wait for the night itself.”

The Hi-Life Awards is a flag-ship national event for the restaurant industry so it goes without saying that we pull out all the stops to make it bigger, better and more fun every year.

This year the event will be raising funds for the Five Stars Appeal.

There are still a small number of tickets to the event available – costing £75 each they include a champagne reception, four-course meal and fabulous entertainment.  Tickets can be obtained by e-mailing awards@hi-life.co.uk or call Stacy on 01253 608910