I was in a discussion with someone on Facebook who says they know some of the chefs in Alton, and that the food suppliers are the same as previous, i.e. Bidfoods and Brake but Aramark have taken over the catering. I was under the impression the food supply itself had also changed to Aramark? I believe Bidfoods did the food supply prior to Aramark.
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Food & Beverage: The Aramark Era begins
Rick
TS Member
Do Aramark have their own UK supply chain ? That seems like a pretty expensive way of doing things unless you have sufficient coverage in the market and I can't believe that they would have that just yet.
They might seek to use other suppliers in the future but it was perhaps just a case of continuing existing commercial agreements in the short term. It perhaps makes sense to given the few menu changes, to go out and find alternatives that are similar feels like a lot of faff on top of a load of other business change.
Plus, we still don't (and may never) know the terms of the deal. It might be that for a certain period, Merlin have insisted that existing suppliers are used. If Aramark are operating existing outlets, with their existing menu and supply chain, that's a very different proposition than Aramark being brought in to run the whole F&B function top to bottom.
With all the twisted knickers before someone had even taken a bite out of anything Aramark, it's curious that so much is still unknown.
They might seek to use other suppliers in the future but it was perhaps just a case of continuing existing commercial agreements in the short term. It perhaps makes sense to given the few menu changes, to go out and find alternatives that are similar feels like a lot of faff on top of a load of other business change.
Plus, we still don't (and may never) know the terms of the deal. It might be that for a certain period, Merlin have insisted that existing suppliers are used. If Aramark are operating existing outlets, with their existing menu and supply chain, that's a very different proposition than Aramark being brought in to run the whole F&B function top to bottom.
With all the twisted knickers before someone had even taken a bite out of anything Aramark, it's curious that so much is still unknown.
djtruefitt
TS Team
Even if they are using the same supplier. The food/quality could still have changed. BidFood is a big company and supply many places from cheap burger restaurants to top restaurants. So Aramark could have easily started buying cheaper worse food than towers previously used.
Of course we don’t know that, but some items have definitely gone down in quality.
Of course we don’t know that, but some items have definitely gone down in quality.
Thameslink Rail
TS Member
I've definitely seen Bidfood vans around the entrance to Coach/Express/Disabled parking, not sure if I've seen any since the takeover.
Matt.GC
TS Member
I briefly worked for Brakes in the summer of 99 during "study leave" as opposed to bothering to turn up to some of my GCSE exams. The range they carry and diversity of businesses they supply to is huge. You could get top range stuff to rusk filled garbage from them. I'm sure it's the same for any supplier.
No idea who Aramark are sourcing their stuff from for the Merlin estate, but it's not out of the realms of possiblity for them to use the same supplier as before but switch to different grades of products that they buy from them.
No idea who Aramark are sourcing their stuff from for the Merlin estate, but it's not out of the realms of possiblity for them to use the same supplier as before but switch to different grades of products that they buy from them.
Rob
TS Team
There's so little that we know about the contract, and I suspect Merlin, the parks themselves and Aramark are all to blame to an extent. Do Aramark get given a budget by Merlin, and then they have to find the most profitable way to source ingredients for each outlet? Do Merlin set minimum quality standards? Do the parks push back at all?
Aramark could source higher quality food if they wanted/needed to, but it all depends on the terms of the contract. If it is not financially viable for them to do so (or if there is no real incentive), then they obviously won't.
Aramark could source higher quality food if they wanted/needed to, but it all depends on the terms of the contract. If it is not financially viable for them to do so (or if there is no real incentive), then they obviously won't.
pluk
TS Member
I can't help but keep comparing.
This is Thursdays dinner at Butlins, self serve as much as you want. I've gone for a couple of 1/3rd racks of ribs in sticky a bbq sauce, a chicken enchilada in which they'd not held back on the spice, nachos, corn on the cob, and multiple dips including freshly made guacamole. It was honestly incredible with the ribs clearly having been slow cooked for many hours and falling of the bone. I went back formire, obviously.
Also in the texmex section a couple different rices, a veggie version of the enchilada and some little deep fried parcel things.
Also available if you fancied were multiple pasta options cooked to order, a full pork roast dinner, baked crumbed fish fillets, chips, fresh veg and a good few other things.
That was after starter choices of a huge salad bar including prawns and pate, breads, soup, fresh melon etc
And pudding was hot shortcrust apple pie, hot chocolate pudding, custard, ice cream factory, about 5 different cakes and cheesecakes, jellies, mouses and yoghurts, fresh fruits including multiple types of melon etc.
And great quality blue and brie, an admittedly less good quality cheddar, crackers and chutney to finish off.
With unlimited juices, tea, coffee, hot chocolates. And don't you worry, iced water.
Each evening was entirely different to the last. Fir example the day before the specialist selection was Korean food which was all also incredible and to my taste authentically and quite aggressively spiced.
The cost of this? £22.95 per person per day, so that's including an equally full breakfast selection of all hot and cold options, fresh fruit, hot pastries, drinks etc.
Service is very friendly and personal, the staff will fist bump your kinds, remeber their names and ask you about your day. It can get a bit chaotic but they keep it all clean and mostly tidy.
And if you want a drink a beer is about £4, a large wine £6, and well made cocktails using some funkin mix but on top of freshly muddled fresh fruits, crushed ice and helthy measures of optics and free poured spirts are somehow 2 for a tenner. A double gordens and mixer £6.50.
And this isn't a charity, you can be sure Butlins are making a decent little bit of profit on this offering. So how can the Merlin hotels restraunts cost so much for so little? They are either taking the pee or are incompetent...
(the pic looks deceptive, the plate is actually massive but it looks quite small here with nothing much for scale. That Enchilada is massive!!)
This is Thursdays dinner at Butlins, self serve as much as you want. I've gone for a couple of 1/3rd racks of ribs in sticky a bbq sauce, a chicken enchilada in which they'd not held back on the spice, nachos, corn on the cob, and multiple dips including freshly made guacamole. It was honestly incredible with the ribs clearly having been slow cooked for many hours and falling of the bone. I went back formire, obviously.
Also in the texmex section a couple different rices, a veggie version of the enchilada and some little deep fried parcel things.
Also available if you fancied were multiple pasta options cooked to order, a full pork roast dinner, baked crumbed fish fillets, chips, fresh veg and a good few other things.
That was after starter choices of a huge salad bar including prawns and pate, breads, soup, fresh melon etc
And pudding was hot shortcrust apple pie, hot chocolate pudding, custard, ice cream factory, about 5 different cakes and cheesecakes, jellies, mouses and yoghurts, fresh fruits including multiple types of melon etc.
And great quality blue and brie, an admittedly less good quality cheddar, crackers and chutney to finish off.
With unlimited juices, tea, coffee, hot chocolates. And don't you worry, iced water.
Each evening was entirely different to the last. Fir example the day before the specialist selection was Korean food which was all also incredible and to my taste authentically and quite aggressively spiced.
The cost of this? £22.95 per person per day, so that's including an equally full breakfast selection of all hot and cold options, fresh fruit, hot pastries, drinks etc.
Service is very friendly and personal, the staff will fist bump your kinds, remeber their names and ask you about your day. It can get a bit chaotic but they keep it all clean and mostly tidy.
And if you want a drink a beer is about £4, a large wine £6, and well made cocktails using some funkin mix but on top of freshly muddled fresh fruits, crushed ice and helthy measures of optics and free poured spirts are somehow 2 for a tenner. A double gordens and mixer £6.50.
And this isn't a charity, you can be sure Butlins are making a decent little bit of profit on this offering. So how can the Merlin hotels restraunts cost so much for so little? They are either taking the pee or are incompetent...
(the pic looks deceptive, the plate is actually massive but it looks quite small here with nothing much for scale. That Enchilada is massive!!)
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jon81uk
TS Member
I read it as that is the cost per adult per night for breakfast and dinner. The Butlins website confirms this.
Food Court Dining Plan | Food & Drink | Discover Butlin's | Butlin's
A dining plan in a buffet-style restaurant, our Food Court Dining Plan offers breakfast and dinner in the same restaurant throughout the duration of your break at our three resorts.
www.butlins.com
DineAround Dining Plan | Food & Drink | Discover Butlin's | Butlin's
A dining plan with lots of variety. DineAround offers breakfast and lunch or dinner at a choice of restaurants at our three resorts.
www.butlins.com
Definitly seems a better deal than Flambo's which is the same price for dinner alone.
pluk
TS Member
Yes, that's the dining package per day per adult. I'm not so much of a fan of the dine around package where you don't get starter and dessert, less choice and similar quality. It's still a good price though.
The holiday itself was about £130 total for 3 people for 4 nights/4 and a half days as you are off site by midday on the Friday ready for the party people to arrive. So the dining costs more than the holiday!
It is also vastly vastly better quality and range.
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Just seen this on Twitter with regards the Aramark restaurant in Chessington. Can’t wait to see the Alton scores!
From: https://twitter.com/adzkerridge/status/1670923422015135746?s=46&t=0iTQigzO9N0GVmw1q20v8w
From: https://twitter.com/adzkerridge/status/1670923422015135746?s=46&t=0iTQigzO9N0GVmw1q20v8w
RicketyCricket
TS Member
Crazy to think that your local dodgy kebab shop has a better food hygiene rating than a sit down restaurant at the UKs premier family theme park.
AT86
TS Member
The Towers food outlets were inspected in May 2023 and have all scored 5. Details here:
pluk
TS Member
We obviously don't know what the contract contains, but surely something as poor and brand damaging as that is where some sort of get out clause or huge financial penalty for Aramark kicks in?
BigShadowtinytree
TS Member
Oh dear.
Some more details on the Chessington Safari Hotel rating:
The staff canteen only scored a 3 as well:
However it’s good to see Towers scoring highly on their recent inspections:
ratings.food.gov.uk
We get these inspections at my work, it’s really not hard to get a high rating if you’re following procedures properly.
Some more details on the Chessington Safari Hotel rating:
Aramark @ CWOA Safari Hotel | Rating Business Details | Food Hygiene Ratings
ratings.food.gov.uk
The staff canteen only scored a 3 as well:
Aramark @ The Wilderness Shack | Rating Business Details | Food Hygiene Ratings
ratings.food.gov.uk
However it’s good to see Towers scoring highly on their recent inspections:
Search results | Food hygiene ratings
Eating out? Getting food in? Check the food hygiene rating. Find out if a restaurant, takeaway or food shop you want to visit has good food hygiene standards.
We get these inspections at my work, it’s really not hard to get a high rating if you’re following procedures properly.
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