The industry gets behind #NationalHospitalityDay

Chefs including Angela Hartnett, Tom Kerridge, Gary Usher, Paul Ainsworth and more shared their passion for hospitality on Saturday (18 September) on the first ever #NationalHospitalityDay

The event was created to celebrate the industry after a difficult 18 months, with businesses encouraged to put on offers and events to celebrate while raising money for leading charities.

A multitude of businesses got on board with ASK restaurants providing free starters; Zizzi giving out free desserts; Wahaca donating £1 from every margarita sold; St Austell Brewery donating £1 from every pint sold across its managed pubs; and Searcy’s donating the profits from its brand-new venue’s afternoon tea – 116 Pall Mall’s ‘The Confectioner’s Afternoon Tea’.

Fazenda, Farncombe Estate, Punch, Shepherd Neame, and Red Cup Café were all busy publicising the event on social media.

BaxterStorey organised several initiatives and Pub In The Park in Marlow was taking donations from all visitors at the final location of Tom Kerridge’s series of food, drink and music festivals.

Ahead of the event chefs including Angela Hartnett, Tom Kerridge, Gary Usher, Paul Ainsworth starred in a video calling on the national to support their favourite pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels.

Kerridge said: “National Hospitality Day is a chance for us all to say ‘welcome back, we’ve missed you, and thanks for everything you’ve been doing’ to our favourite venues.”

National Hospitality Day had the support of the Government, with Business Minister Paul Scully MP, commenting: “We’re supporting the reopening, recovery and resilience of the sector so that it can build back better from what has been an incredibly tough period. And whether it’s an extra mimosa with your brunch or samosa with your bhuna, we can all do our bit to help.”

Main image: Shutterstock 1395298568