There is an emerging trend in London and New York of diners paying to secure reservations at some of the most sought-after restaurants, but not everyone in the industry is convinced it’s for the best.

Nusret Gökçe, better known as ‘Salt Bae’ to his 49.1 million Instagram followers, has received backlash after he shared a bill from diners who spent AED615,065 (£140,584) at his Abu Dhabi restaurant.

The head sommelier of Latymer by Steve Smith at Pennyhill Park talks to Douglas Blyde about the vines of Brittany, the influence of the late Gerard Basset, and the power and allure of luck…

New figures have shown that a campaign supported by Mayor Sadiq Khan to revitalise London’s hospitality, retail and culture sectors has brought £289 million into the capital since it was launched in May 2021.

After much furore, Greene King has announced that a controversially-named pub will be renamed, but some locals are not happy.

The Dog & Ball in Portsmouth, John Simmons’ handmade backyard boozer, has been named as Britain’s best pub shed.

New research by customer experience platform Reputation has found that while positive reviews are up for the majority of hospitality venues, consumers are also becoming more demanding.

For the first few days of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Zyn Arms will be popping up in Shoreditch and offering thirsty football fans drinks for 66p, a nod to the year of England’s famous victory in the tournament.

German sommelier Peer Holm has resigned as secretary general of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) and president of the Sommelier Union of Germany following allegations of inappropriate conduct with women.

A new ‘Top Cities’ report has revealed which locations across Britain are the most vibrant, with Manchester coming out on top while London lags behind.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is bringing a taste of Kentucky to the heart of Mayfair with a custom-built trolley that will be delivering Old Fashioneds to diners at the JW Steakhouse’s Bourbon Bar.

Douglas Blyde visits Ashford Castle on the west coast of Ireland. Once owned by the Guinness family, the “magnificent property” contains all manner of gastronomic delights, including a cellar where guests are invited in to pick a bottle to go with head chef Philippe Farineau’s seasonal menu. Taken from this year’s Wine List Confidential guide, available to buy now.