We've mentioned it before, but the hospitality industry is a very giving, benevolent group. Restaurateurs, chefs, distributors, and manufacturers all give of their time ...and their money - to events on local, national, and international levels. Last week, we ran a story on U.K. tabletop company Churchill and their efforts of support for a local hospice charity- the Douglas Macmillan Hospice Now, here's a link to a blog devoted specifically to the ch - http://churchilldoingitfordougie.blogspot.com/You'll definitely want to check it out!And, here is a link to last week's article detailing more of Churchill's support and how they intend to raise £40,000 in honor of the charity's 40th anniversary: http://www.tabletopjournal.com/1/post/2013/04/churchill-china-raises-fund-for-local-uk-hospice-charity.htmlAnd, congratulations to Churchill's Paul Smith on his new PR in the London Marathon! Well done.
Churchill China’s Charity challenge is set to take off as the first mugs come off the production line to raise valuable funds for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. With the slogan ‘Life sets no paths… just follow your heart’ the mugs have a heart-warming design which embraces the race element of Churchill’s fundraising push in May. With 100% of the proceeds going to the charity, the mugs will cost £5 each and will be available from Churchill’s factory shop, Douglas Macmillan charity shops and at fundraising events throughout the year. Churchill are also encouraging local companies to get involved by selling them to employees and visitors; the Hanley Economic is already signed up to selling them through its branches. Part of a limited run, the mugs have been designed and manufactured at Churchill’s Sandyford factory with support from local suppliers including Furlong Mills, Endeka Ceramics, Ceramitec Printers, Cardway Cartons and Screen Supply.  Production Director Paul Smith says, "This is a really important challenge for us, as a local company we have a duty to support local charities and the Dougie Mac is a cause close to so many hearts in the factory. As it is commemorating it's 40th year we set the challenge to everyone in the business to work with us as a collective to raise £40,000. The support and enthusiasm from both staff and suppliers has been overwhelming.
We would encourage everyone to get involved in some way, by buying the mug or sponsoring the manufacturing and running teams online."Liz Clarke, Head of Fundraising said “Churchill China always show such a commitment and enthusiasm to fundraising and have raised a significant amount of money for the hospice over the years. This year they really are going that extra mile to support our 40th anniversary year and I would like to thank everyone involved with the challenge. We are sure the team are going to smash their fundraising target with having such a fantastic team of employees and supporters Doing It for Dougie.”The race element of the challenge will see Churchill employees make, from raw material, and decorate a mug which a team of runners will then take from Stoke to Churchill’s London showroom within 48 hours – Churchill’s service promise to its hospitality customers. To learn more about Churchill, its fund raising efforts, and its wide range of products for the hospitality anc catering trade, go here: http://www.churchill1795.com/
Accoridng to Stock Market Watch, Churchill China's pre-tax profits increased 15% to £3.1m in the year to the end of December despite revenues slipping to £41.4m from £42.3m. Operating profits at the manufacturer and global distributor of ceramic and related products to hospitality and retail markets rose by 4% to £2.8m. The proposed final dividend of 9.4p per share (2011: 9.2p) takes the total to 14.2p (2011: 14.0p). Chairman Jonathan Sparey said : "Churchill China has delivered a good set of results for 2012 and has started 2013 on a positive note. We have an ambitious programme of new product development to drive future returns and I am confident we will continue to improve our operating performance in 2013."Churchill has recently launched its new BAMBOO shape and added a variety of new items to its GLIDE shape.
Churchill has launched new additions to its contemporary GLIDE collection. The collection which was originally launched late last year has proven incredibly versatile in use with establishments layering items and using the sloped serving bowls in other areas such as buffets and deli-displays. The key range is now extended to include three sizes of rectangular plates. Designed to fit with the square items already in the range there are plenty of options for presenting food to the table and for the accompanying side dishes. The sculptured curved edges add an instant modern feel, while a very flat center assists creativity in presentation. Consideration, as with all Churchill ranges, has been given to the practicality ‘in-use’ and each piece has been rigorously tested for durability, stackability for back of house and items are deliberately light-weight. Vanessa Carter – Churchill’s Head of New Product Development commented, “We are really excited about GLIDE, it is a very contemporary collection and has allowed us the opportunity to create something completely different for establishments wishing to differentiate themselves from the competition. The designs are soft, yet sculptured in a way which enhances the presentation and visual appeal of all types of food. By enabling layering of the different sizes of plates there is an opportunity for adding value through presentation. It also fits in with the trend for combination dishes and smaller tapas style dining.” The full collection also features a number of serving bowls and dishes of different shapes.
Churchil China's new BAMBOO design has 17 items available and is part of its Profile range.
Inspired by nature, ‘BAMBOO’ is the new Churchill China tableware design presented on the award winning ‘Profile’ range. The raised white embossed design takes inspiration from natural elements such as bamboo to simple effect, using a subtle and textural finish that creates a sophisticated yet natural impression. Vanessa Carter, Head of New Product Development at Churchill says, "BAMBOO is one of our most exciting launches to date and is a range which has come together organically and will continue to grow over launches going forward. Taking inspiration from nature is a trend which has longevity and Bamboo has a subtlety of design which caters for a number of settings both casual and formal. We see it as a range ideally suited for restaurants and contract caterers, due to the practical elements of the Profile range coupled with a design that lends understated impact to food presentation." At launch the BAMBOO range has 17 pieces, all which feature the distinctive and elegant design. Styled on Churchill’s Profile range which won an ‘Equipment and Supplies Excellence Award’ in 2010 for sustainability and also it’s innovative lighter body. The range includes seven plate options in varying sizes, with key sizes having the additional benefit of a ‘foot’, ideal for carrying, setting down and allowing air to flow when stored.
One of the world's oldest hospitality dinnerware companies - Churchill China - recently made the switch to one of the worlds's newest provider of IT solutions - Google Apps for Business - and Churchill's IT Manager, Alistair Henderson is more than pleased. Data transfer during the switch was handled by Cloud Technology Solutions, who has since continued on providing additional value-added services to Churchill. “The chosen solution had to fulfill three criteria: highly reliable; highly usable and affordable. In reality the operating expenses could not increase and this was why we chose Google Apps for Business after reviewing all the options open to us. We have nearly 200 people spread across the globe so we needed an e-mail system that was readily available anywhere and Google Apps easily met this criteria," commented Henderson, after the company had reviewed a variety of options to replace its previous Lotus Notes system. | “Now, with the solution in place the benefits of Google Apps for Business are too numerous to list, but reliability, scalability and usability probably sums it up,” said Henderson.
“Imagine just sitting back and letting someone else take the strain. Some people who read this are maybe in the fortunate position that they have someone to look after the infrastructure and e-mail systems for them. For those of you, like myself, who have to look after the nuts and bolts of the system, then outsourcing the e-mail headache means there is more time to focus on new technologies or business improvement projects.”
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 Recent trade praise describing Churchill China as demonstrating 'hospitality tabletop leadership' through innovation, branding and passion has shone the spotlight on activity in the US this year. The comments come following Churchill's attendance at two high profile chef events this year and the launch of it’s Fall/Winter collection in the US. In July this year Churchill attended the American Culinary Federation Annual Convention in Orlando. Over the course of the three day event delegates learn about emerging food trends, challenges facing the industry and hear from fellow chefs. Integral to the Conference is the American Chef of the Year competition. Churchill was proud to have supplied plates to two of the four finalists including eventual winner Chef Scott Ryan CEC, Executive Chef at the Country Club of Pepper Pike. Speaking to Churchill after the event Scott said: "It does not matter how great the artist is, it is the canvas that he or she works with that makes the artwork “pop” Churchill supplied me with the right tools to do just that" Another finalist who chose Churchill China was Chef Brian Beland CMC, Exec Chef at The Country Club of Detroit, who selected Alchemy Rectangular Tray, Alchemy Energy Square Plates and the Churchill Oblong Plate and provided the following testimonial to the products used. Beland commented, "Churchill's china has a refined elegance and variety of shapes that allows for an unspoiled canvass that enhances the presentation of food" From the conference, Churchill had the opportunity to support the Michigan team for the World Culinary Olympics held in Erfurt, Germany and were delighted when the team selected pieces from the range to use at this prestigious competition. The team won 3 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals at the competition. Following the success at the ACF Conference Churchill sponsored the Starchefs International Chef's Congress in New York in October. The event under a theme of 'Origins and Frontiers - the archaeology of modern cuisine' brought together leading chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists and sommeliers to share the latest techniques and culinary concepts. Churchill, nominated for a prestigious 'Innovator Award', met with chefs and industry leaders to demonstrate the latest lines available to chefs. The event was a perfect platform to launch new mixed material lines included the ceramic and wood combination of the Alchemy Ambience Signature Board and Tile and the Churchill Vintage Prints trend led design alongside specialist pieces. Nick Mowat, Central USA & Canadian Sales Manager said: “Churchill has a fantastic portfolio in the US and it is great to see the products being so well received. It's really exciting our products have been selected in prestigious competitions and great exposure for the company - we are looking forward to bringing more and more products to the States as the rate of innovation at Churchill only grows.” This all makes for an exciting 2013 and Churchill looks forward to working with some of the exceptionally talented chefs to provide solutions and canvasses for their work.
The Autumn/Winter 2012 Churchill catalog is out and it shows the passion, the innovation, ....and, frankly, the committment that Churchill has shown the hospitality industry for over 200 years. This impressive 315-page, colorful tome is a guide in tabletop artistry, filled with endorsements form the chefs that Churchill works in partnership with. Included is the full range of Churchill brands...Alchemy fine china... Churchill super vitrified....Art de Cuisine....and, of course, all the partnership brands that fit so well with Churchill. All very impressive. |
Churchill is clearly one global tabletop company that is on the move. This new late-year 2012 catalog is another big step in that direction.
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New GLIDE from Churchill China
The organic curved edges and soft styling of the new GLIDE range from Churchill China adds individual and statement style to the tabletop. Available across a number of items including contemporary square plates, bowls and unique serving pieces GLIDE provides chefs with unlimited opportunities for presentation. Taking the concept from a demand for softer shapes and a contemporary alternative to a traditional rim, Churchill's New Product Development team have worked on a range which is sculptured, modern and versatile with meticulous attention to size, scale and in service use. Churchill's new GLIDE range is designed to help establishments create an individual and memorable identity or to complement existing tableware as accent or signature style dishes that add value to a menu. It also has pieces that enhance unique presentation on a buffet section or as accompaniments and side dishes on the tabletop. According to Churchill's Head of New Product Development, Vanessa Carter, "When designing this collection we have looked at the market and how establishments are personalising the whole brand experience and wanted to offer something completely different from our other ranges. We also wanted pieces which could add value to existing menus by offering different sizes and shapes which are versatile and can be used as menu add-ons or special dishes. Glide offers a contemporary style, which retains all of the technical and practical elements of our tableware, so is as desirable back of house as it is on the table".
Churchill China's new GLIDE range has a wide variety of items from which chefs can choose:
Square dinner plates - statement style with a completely flat centre for food display and a soft curved frame to create a signature style;
Slanted bowls - deeper at the back with a low presentation profile at the front this piece is perfect for salads or as part of a buffet presentation;
Square bowls in 4 different sizes;
Oval dishes in 2 sizes
Round bowls in 2 sizes.
All can be combined and used across a variety of dishes.
 Lots happening with the Churchill China brand these days. You have to go to Singapore for the latest! Churchill China's involvement with the jubilee celebrations in Singapore has been recognised at a special event hosted by the High Commissioner Anthony Phillipson, welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as part of their Jubilee Tour.
By special invitation from the Commissioner, Glenn Ewart on behalf of Churchill was one of only 100 guests, each getting to meet both the Duke and Duchess. To mark the occasion Churchill designed and gifted the Royal couple with a commemorative plate, celebrating the Queens Jubilee. The meeting took place on the same day the Duke praised British collaborations in Singapore following a visit to a Rolls Royce factory.
Glenn Ewart, Export Business Development Manager says of the meeting, "What a privilege to be invited to Eden Hall by the High Commissioner, Mr Anthony Phillipson to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their historic Asia Pacific Tour. The making of this special plate, one of only 25, and its presentation to them, hopefully reminds Their Royal Highnesses of how far British industry stretches around the globe. The plate showcases the high quality Churchill produces and what great heritage Stoke-on-Trent has in the tableware industry. Stoke manufactured tableware still carries prestige, and no more so than halfway around the world"
The plate that Churchill China produced for the occasion is one of only 25 to be made and another was presented to the British Club in Singapore to be auction for local orphaned children's charity Community Chest. Raising over $15,000 (approx £7,500) on the night, Churchill was delighted to have been able to contribute.
Sean Boyle, General Manager at the British Club who organised the fundraiser and acted as auctioneer to raise the funds said: "What a wonderful finale to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations here at the British Club Singapore and the British community that live here." Churchill China has been producing innovative and creative products for hositality tabletops for over 200 years. To see the entire line of Churchill products, go here: http://www.churchillchina.com/ | |
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