To find out more about your industry sector, health & safety, training and more, use the links below to our recommended websites.
Caterer.com has selected a range of professional hospitality related organisations and associations in the UK.
Hotel & Catering Associations & Organisations
- Arena
Claiming to be hospitality's only pan-industry group, Arena is a networking club for both operators and suppliers. It holds regular lunches, meetings and other social events as well as regular lectures by key industry figures.
- British Association of Hotel Accountants
A networking and training organisation, the BAHA organises regular social events and conferences, as well as offering dedicated hospitality accounting qualifications.
- British Beer and Pub Association
Formerly the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, the British Beer and Pub Association is the trade association representing brewers, their pub interests and pub-owning companies. The membership accounts for 98% of beer production and approximately two-thirds of the 60,000 pubs in the UK.
- British Institute of Innkeeping
The licensed trade's professional body. Its main function is to promote good practice within the industry by offering a comprehensive system of training and qualifications for both new and experienced members.
- Confederation of Tourism, Hotel & Catering Management
CTHCM provides recognized standards of vocational and management syllabi, examinations and awards for the hotel and travel industry.
- Corporate Hospitality and Event Association
Representative body for the corporate hospitality sector. It issues the industry's code of practice and lobbies on its behalf to government. It also organises social events, awards, conferences and exhibitions.
- Hospital Caterers Association
The HCA exists to promote and improve catering standards and to protect the interests of catering staff within healthcare establishments in the UK. Every year it hosts a national conference as well as seminars, study days and equipment demonstrations.
- Hotel & Catering International Management Association
The HCIMA is the professional body for managers and potential managers in the hospitality industry. It has more than 23,000 members in more than 100 countries and publishes extensive advice on business and legislation.
- Hotel & Catering Personnel & Training Association (HCPTA)
Formed in 1975, the HCPTA provides a forum for personnel and training specialists in the hospitality industry. It aims to help its members' professional development, help newcomers to the area of HR, and foster links between the industry and education.
- Institute of Brewing
IBD is a members organisation which is dedicated to the education and training needs of brewers & distillers.
- Institute of Masters of Wine
IMW exists to promote the highest level of educational achievement for the wine industry, culminating in the internationally recognised qualification of Master of Wine (MW).
- International Council of Cruise Lines
ICCL participates in the regulatory and policy development for cruise ships.
- International Flight Catering Association
A forum and representative body for all companies involved in the in-flight and railway catering industry - airlines, train operators, caterers and suppliers of products and equipment. It has almost 600 member companies across the globe and also provides training courses.
- International Hotel and Restaurant Association
A networking and lobbying body for the hotel and restaurant industry around the world. Based in Paris, it represents more than 750,000 businesses in more than 150 countries and organises conferences, exhibitions, forums and social events.
- Irish Hotels Federation
The Web site for the IHF has information on membership and associates but also a lot of useful background information on Irish tourism in general.
- Local Authority Caterers Association
LACA is the professional body representing more than 800 catering managers in all sectors of local authorities. It organises an annual conference as well as events such as National School Meals Week
- Restaurant Association
The representative and lobbying group for the UK restaurant industry. Members have access to a range of business support services, including legal and hygiene helplines, savings on credit/debit card processing rates, business insurance, and private health care.
- The United Kingdom Housekeepers Association
The UKHA aims to improve the professional status of housekeeping and to promote it as a career. It provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information via its Web site, plus a monthly newsletter, networking and social events.
- United Kingdom Bartenders Guild
The UKBG's primary function is the advancement of bartending by promoting a high standard of workmanship, encouraging participation and maintaining a code of ethics. Educational courses for young bartenders are of particular importance. Also provides a channel of communication between its members and the wine and spirit trades.
- University Caterers Association
The University Caterers Organisation (Tuco) is an organisation for in-house caterers in UK universities. Members are encouraged to share ideas and information and collaborate where possible to improve services to staff and customers.
Chefs Associations
- Association of Pastry Chefs
A networking and social association for pastry chefs, pastry commis or companies supplying products for pastry chefs. It arranges events and awards as well as teaching seminars. The Web site also has a database of recipes for members.
- Craft Guild of Chefs
A professional body aimed at the development of craft skills through awareness, education and training. The guild organises training and demonstration events as well as social get-togethers.
- World Master Chefs Society
This International Honour Society founded in 1947 is involved in international competitions, demonstrations, promotions and consultancy. The Society's main function is to promote social, cultural, professional and commercial interests.
Leisure Associations & Organisations
A selection of useful hospitality resource sites providing training and advice about health and safety.
- Academy of Food & Wine Service
ACFWS aims to encourage a higher standard of skill and knowledge in restaurant and bar service.
- Best Practice Forum
Launched by the government in the wake of the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis, this is a new best-practice forum aimed at improving the competitiveness of the tourism, leisure and hospitality business. It aims to help businesses adopt practical measures to improve their performance.
- Health and Safety Executive
Monitors and controls people's health and safety risks in their place of work. It has powers of enforcement and prosecution through relevant legislation and publishes specific catering industry advice.
- Hospitality Training Foundation
The hospitality industry's National Training Organisation, representing hospitality employers on all aspects of education, training, skills and qualifications. It is a source of comprehensive information on qualifications and training.
- Kwintessential - Cross Cultural Hospitality
Offering a unique hospitality etiquette training course aimed at a range of services within the hospitality industry, such as hotels, restaurants, caterers, event organisers, corporate entertainers and tourist organizations.
- Hats Training
HATS provides a variety of training courses, specifically for the Hospitality Industry.
If you want to work in the UK and require a work permit, view these links for advice and application processes.
- British Council
The UK's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
- Workpermit.com
Workpermit.com is accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and provides work permit and visa services for most of the English speaking world and the EU.
Hospitality Information Sources
Links to other hospitality information sites & news sources.
- E-hotelier
E-hotelier.com provides links to thousands of hotel industry website links.
- Food & Drink Information Centre
The Food & Drink Information Centre has been specifically designed as a quick, user friendly, reference point for any aspect of the Food and Drink Industry.
- Hospitality Action
Hospitality Action is a charity to help people working across all sectors of the hospitality industry, providing practical information and financial support at times of crisis.
- HotelMarketing.com
Website for all the up-to-date news on hotel marketing.
- Hotel Management International
An official publication of the European Hotel Managers Association. Published quarterly, it contains in-depth analysis which is highly readable and useful to an audience made up of the most influential decision-makers.
Chef Information Sources
Links to chef information sites.
- Chef2Chef
Culinary portal for chefs.
- ChefSearch
Job search resource for chefs.
- Pastry Chef
Information portal providing advice on menu planning, training, health and safety & recipes.
