Paperchase Partners with Adam Handling to Bring Optimized Results

The Adam Handling Collection is at the forefront of the British hospitality scene, known for its innovative culinary offerings and a strong commitment to sustainability. Led by Chef Adam Handling, the group spans 6 award-winning restaurants and bars across the UK, including the Michelin-starred Frog by Adam Handling in London and Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall. In addition to his culinary expertise, Adam is a passionate advocate for reducing food waste and fostering a new generation of chefs. To support the group’s rapid growth and operational goals, Adam Handling MBE secured the services of Paperchase, an accounting firm specialisng in hospitality finance. This case study explores how Paperchase’s financial expertise is helping optimise the group’s operations, streamline processes, and ensure long-term financial success.

About Adam Handling MBE

Adam Handling MBE is one of the leading British chefs, renowned not only for his culinary expertise but also for his dedication to sustainability, industry education, staff welfare, and promoting British food on a global platform. Born in Dundee, Scotland, Adam’s career began at Gleneagles, where he became their first-ever apprentice chef at 16. Over two decades, he has grown into the Chef Owner of the Adam Handling Collection, which includes his Michelin-starred restaurant, Frog by Adam Handling in London, Ugly Butterfly in St. Ives, Cornwall, The Loch & the Tyne in Old Windsor, The Tartan Fox in Summercourt, Cornwall, and Eve Bar in London. Recognised for his commitment to sustainability, Adam uses the finest seasonal British ingredients, creating dishes that highlight their true flavours while maintaining a zero-waste ethos across his restaurants.

Adam’s passion for sustainability extends beyond his restaurants. He has launched several ventures aimed at reducing food waste and promoting eco-conscious practices, including his Ugly Butterfly restaurant in Cornwall and The Loch & the Tyne, a sustainable pub in Old Windsor. Adam is also deeply involved in fostering the next generation of British chefs, serving as a judge for key culinary competitions like Toque d’Or®, World Young Chef Young Waiter and FutureChef. His work with charitable organisations, including The Felix Project and Quintessentially Foundation, further highlights his commitment to using food to make a positive impact on communities.

Optimising Success with Paperchase

At the Adam Handling Collection, operational efficiency is a top priority. Executive Director of the group Nicola Gartenberg shares about how they foster this. “Our team meets through daily meetings with management to discuss key metrics such as revenue, guest experience, and upcoming events. These conversations are then extended to weekly meetings with managers across each business, promoting a productive workflow throughout the entire Collection,” Gartenberg shares. Whether reviewing covers with the General Manager of Frog or analysing stock reports with the bar manager at Eve Bar, the Adam Handling Collection is dedicated to maintaining clear and effective communication across its diverse portfolio.

Working together with an accounting partner like Paperchase empowers hospitality operators to make informed, financially savvy decisions. From the outset, Paperchase’s team of restaurant finance experts ensures a seamless data transition into cloud-based accounting systems. Upon onboarding, Paperchase thoroughly reviewed the group’s financial operations, identifying opportunities to align its processes with its best practices. Paperchase helped implement the shift to monthly, or even weekly, food stock takes to maintain more accurate stock reports. This is essential when working with multiple revenue streams, to avoid wastage and overordering. Additionally, they advised introducing more precise reporting for vouchers and deposits, ensuring that each restaurant’s profit and loss reports were as accurate and organised as possible each month.

Nicola Gartenberg comments on the relationship, “Although the partnership is still in its early stages, Paperchase has already played a significant role in bringing structure and precision to our reporting processes.”

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A Bright Future Ahead

Adam Handling and Paperchase may be in the early stages of working together but it holds great promise for the future. With a strong foundation built on collaboration and transparent communication, the integration of Adam Handling’s fast-paced operational control and Paperchase’s methodical approach to financial management is already showing positive results. As business continues, the growing synergy between the teams points to a future filled with financial opportunity and long-term success.