Thistle PLC has awarded Sodexho the contract to provide all the food and beverage services at the Thistle Hotel in Manchester. The four year contract is worth around 1.5 million GBP in turnover per year. The new restaurant - the Portland Street Restaurant & Bar with a Touch of Rhodes - will open in mid summer 2001. A Touch of Rhodes is a new concept developed by Sodexho in connection with Gary Rhodes. Gary Rhodes and his team will train the chefs at the restaurant to prepare a number of his signature dishes which will be included in the menu and highlighted by the Gary Rhodes logo.

Stefan Breg, Food & Beverage Director Thistle Hotels PLC, said, ” This exciting development continues our strategy of introducing celebrity chefs, established franchisors and operators to maximise the potential of our excellent restaurant sites. The tie up with Sodexho and Gary Rhodes Touch of Rhodes concept will create a restaurant appealing to both residents and non-residents in the heart of Manchester`s Piccadilly Gardens.”

Tony Heddon, Business Development Director for Sodexho, commented, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide the food and beverage services at the prestigious Thistle Manchester. We hope that our expertise in this area along with the Touch of Rhodes offer in the restaurant will enhance guests` stay at the hotel and provide an exciting addition to the growing restaurant scene in Manchester.”

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