SPIZZA PIZZA | Chef Tim Raue (**) brings premium pizza to airports and train stations
13-10-2026
The famous German chef Tim Raue (**) eats pizza wherever he travels, from the Maldives to Capri. Yet at airports and train stations, where he spends more than 200 days a year, he never found one that convinced him. So he teamed up with Berlin entrepreneur Nils Hölterhoff to create SPIZZA PIZZA, a travel retail concept for places where people only stay briefly. Raue developed the recipes and leads the culinary direction, while Hölterhoff builds the company, from site development to financing. The first branch opens at BER Airport (Berlin) this December, followed by Hamburg Dammtor station in the first quarter of 2027.
3 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 41
12-10-2026
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Thai quick-service concept Pad Thai opened its newest location at Utrecht Centraal at the end of September, with an AI wok robot as a colleague.
- Spaghetteria is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary with the introduction of the ‘Pastapas’. They sold out in no time! New Pastapasses are likely to become available in November.
- Ron Blaauw, Bas Brouns and the team behind Ron Gastrobar Groep are entering into a long-term partnership with the Garçons Group, the culinary event company of Jeroen Robberegt and Jasper Gronert.
- The Flower Farm is entering the hospitality industry with palm oil-free minis. Hospitality professionals can request a sample via the website.
- PlanSimpler is a scheduling tool via WhatsApp, developed by a start-up from Eindhoven. The have enrolled in the 2027 Horecava Awards.
- Last week, Subway® unveiled Blueprint, a renewed restaurant and brand experience that modernizes the way guests order and eat, in support of growth in EMEA.
- KFC is introducing Go Buckets, a new way to enjoy KFC, which makes its signature Finger Lickin’ Good® chicken suitable for snacking and moments beyond the traditional meal.
- McDonald’s bottled pickle brine, Pickle Boost, was handed out as a pick-me-up for runners at last weekend’s Chicago Marathon.
Enjoy reading!
Trends we spotted | Week 40
5-10-2026
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Gault&Millau’s Austrian hotel guide has introduced a ‘Longevity & Medical Wellness’ category for the first time.
- CÔNE Paris opened in March 2026 and is a coffee bar serving espresso-based drinks, including a −86 °C Dirty Coffee.
- In Leiden, during the 3 October celebrations, we spotted a focaccia from Giò Neapolitan Espresso topped with hutspot cream: a tradition in Leiden with a Neapolitan soul.
- EMMA Safety Footwear is introducing Connect Sport: a new O2 work shoe built for demanding days in hospitality.
- Marketer Sem van der Wilk built software while employed at the Inge de Bruijn Swimming Pool in Barendrecht, connecting the pool’s existing systems. Since January 2026 he has done so through his own company.
- Disaronno is introducing a new bottle design with the global campaign ‘The Dolce Side of Life’.
- On Wednesday 14 October, The Biggest Wine Club in Utrecht kicks off. Wine influencer Annemiek Hummelink and Tessel Andeweg of bar Vivid are organising the first edition.
Enjoy reading!
FLATONS in Antwerp serves ‘Peace on a plate’
25-9-2026
At Theodoor Van Rijswijckplaats 4 in Antwerp, FLATONS is opening its doors. A place where food, design and social engagement meet. Behind the concept are chefs Sandip Patel (India) and Faeiq Al Mamoori (Iraq).
A new restaurant in Antwerp that serves mostly vegetarian and sometimes vegan dishes. This fine-dining restaurant operates under the “Peace On The Plate” philosophy.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 38
22-9-2026
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- The ’50 Best Pizzerias’ 2026 and the ’50 Best Hotels in the World’ 2026 have recently been announced.
- At the Wijnkeuring (wine tasting) of the Low Countries 2026, a record number of 103 gold medals were awarded. In total, 247 Dutch and Belgian wines were judged.
- We already wrote about Spin’s plans back in August, and since 12 September, Bar Spin has opened its doors in Amsterdam-West. Enjoy analogue music, cocktails, bites and games.
- Kewpie Corporation invited Londoners last weekend to discover how one simple squeeze can transform one of the world’s most iconic sandwiches. A fun pop-up.
- In November 2026, Brasserie De Hofsmid will open in Buren, the third restaurant by entrepreneur Edwin Muns, in collaboration with chef Cas Vieleers and host Yorick van Gelder.
- Omakase Amsterdam is celebrating its first anniversary and has made a short documentary to mark the occasion. Well worth a watch!
- Since 11 September, Bagels & Beans has become the first major national hospitality chain to serve Gkazas’ new Sparkling Olive Waters, available for a limited time in two flavours: Cucumber and Pickles. You can try them until 15 November at all their locations.
- This fall marks a new chapter for THE BUTCHER Social Club. THE ENTOURAGE GROUP’s concept is making its international debut in Gibraltar.
Enjoy reading!
From dots to flavour | Schilo van Coevorden honours Kusama at Restaurant Sandberg
18-9-2026
To mark the major retrospective exhibition of Yayoi Kusama at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Restaurant Sandberg and chef Schilo van Coevorden are presenting a five-course menu inspired by her work. Since September, during small-scale dinner evenings, Schilo has been translating Kusama’s visual language into flavour, texture and form. Not by literally imitating her art, but by exploring what her ideas about repetition, colour, material and infinity can mean in culinary terms.
Buurthotel celebrates Neighbour Day in Amsterdam and Rotterdam
18-9-2026
Following the success of Open Hotel Week, hotels in Amsterdam and Rotterdam are transforming into meeting places for their neighbourhoods. On Saturday 26 September, participating hotels will invite residents of Amsterdam and Rotterdam via Buurthotel to a pizza workshop for children, a kickboxing class or a wild-foraging walk. The aim: to connect residents and hotels. This takes place as part of Burendag (Neighbour Day), the nationwide initiative by Douwe Egberts and the Oranje Fonds. With this, Buurthotel is also introducing ‘co-tourism’ in Rotterdam: a model in which tourist facilities create local value for both visitors and residents.
Trends we spotted | Week 32
10-8-2026
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- DoorDash recently unveiled DoorDash Air, an in-house program that will develop a drone delivery system.
- ‘Twelve Nights of Wonder’ for the 2026 holiday season at Orlando World Center Marriott. Are you already working on your holiday season calendar?
- For one night only, on August 27, 2026, Waldorf Astoria New York’s legendary Grand Ballroom will transform into a full-size tennis court beneath the chandeliers.
- It already sounds delicious in French: “La Brioche Glacée & Toastée célèbre les saveurs Fetish de la Maison: Ispahan et Infiniment Vanille”.
- Avani Hotels & Resorts is inviting guests to celebrate International Dog Day, which takes place on 26 August, with a getaway designed for the whole family.
- Hamburg-based robotics company goodBytz and Leonardo Hotels Central Europe have entered into a strategic partnership.
- Vinyl Voyages: ‘Monkey Shoulder Selects’ spotlights Europe’s trendiest Hi-Fi bars and cocktail neighbourhoods.
- Radisson Hotel Group leverages its strong owner confidence to accelerate global growth.
Enjoy reading!
Vinyl-, Pool- and Cocktailbar Spin opens in September in Amsterdam
7-8-2026
Early September, Vinyl-, Pool- and Cocktailbar Spin opens its doors in Amsterdam-West: a new hospitality concept where the love of analog music, high-quality hospitality, and play come together. Not from any single one of these elements, but from the conviction that their combination creates a new way of going out. Behind the initiative stands a collective of entrepreneurs with extensive experience in Amsterdam’s hospitality, festival, and nightlife scene.
2 minutes read
Bar14 | Johan Cruijff ArenA opens the first frictionless stadium bar in the Netherlands
24-7-2026
The Johan Cruijff ArenA is the first stadium in the Netherlands to introduce a smart frictionless bar, Bar14. This innovation delivers a new visitor experience during matches and concerts. The high-tech bar kiosk uses advanced tracking and AI technology to automatically register which products visitors take and process payment directly. Usage is simple: visitors tap their smartphone upon entry to pay. Thanks to this modern technology, visitors are served faster and more efficiently. The cashierless bar will be used for the first time during Ajax – Burnley on July 26th.
2 minutes read
SPIZZA PIZZA at BER Airport
SPIZZA PIZZA by Tim Raue - credits Nils Hasenau
 brings premium pizza to airports and train stations)
