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Trends we spotted | Week 13

31-3-2026

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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:

• Horecava is taking the next step in its culinary positioning with the arrival of the Gault&Millau Netherlands guide launch in Amsterdam.
• Speaking of April Fools’ jokes: BJ’s Restaurants is launching a bold Pizookie with a sweet-and-savory twist on April 1 — the ‘Sweet Heat Pepperoni Pizookie®’.
• Planet Hollywood has announced plans to open a large-scale resort, including hotels, a casino, and an entertainment complex, in Tbilisi.
• Travel and Tour World recently published its list of the 50 safest travel destinations for 2026. Due to geopolitical tensions, travelers are increasingly choosing stable countries with strong infrastructure and reliable systems. Find out where the Netherlands ranks!
• Anantara Ubud Bali Resort has recently launched an initiative to release the endangered Bali starling (a bird species) into the jungle. The first two pairs will be released on Earth Day.
• Grubhub is launching a pilot program for drone delivery by Dexa at Wonder in Green Brook, New Jersey.
• NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, in collaboration with Planteray Rum, has completed the world’s first certified underwater rum aging process.
• This week, among others: we spotted  ‘Wearable Cones’ on Instagram, handy for the ice cream season? And a funny April Fools’ post by the Nuttington Post about ‘McSushi’.

Enjoy reading!

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Trends we spotted | Week 12

23-3-2026

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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:

• Padbol, an energetic Argentine game that combines padel and football on a fenced-off court.
• Lighthouse is launching the first ChatGPT app for direct hotel bookings, featuring AI-driven, reliable hotel information.
• 24H Chefs, a biennial initiative with Gault&Millau, sees top chefs cook for 24 hours to raise funds for War Child and the Prinses Máxima Centrum.
• Bagels & Beans is expanding to nearly 100 locations, preparing for international expansion and appointing Carolien Vergouwe as managing director.
• The ‘Wissel ’ns Wat!’ campaign encourages the Dutch to make plant-based choices and offers a newsroom on the protein transition.
• Design & Wijn, in collaboration with Wijngoed Gelders Laren, is launching Portique, a Dutch port-style wine in a limited edition of just 438 bottles.
• Le Pain Quotidien is opening a location at Designer Outlet Roermond, thereby expanding its presence in the Netherlands.
• HEINEKEN has reached 1,500 alcohol-free tap points in The Netherlands and is promoting responsible 0.0 draught beer consumption at sports clubs.
• Het Noorden celebrates its 160th anniversary with Noorden Blond, a speciality beer brewed by Brouwerij Wentersch.
• Nine new properties join the global Relais & Châteaux collection.

Enjoy reading!

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KAGE Lab opens in Brussels | Tea-based drinks, built like cocktails

20-3-2026

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After launching their tea and matcha collection in 2024 and opening Kage Specialty Tea, KAGE announces the opening of Kage Lab, a new concept set to open in April 2026 at Rue Lesbroussart 20 in Brussels. KAGE Lab introduces a new approach to daytime drinks: tea-based beverages developed with the precision and techniques of cocktail bars.

2 minutes read

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De Herberg van Smallingerland is ready for the future with son Jurmen and a revamped concept

13-3-2026

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Freddy Bult and Aukje Westerhof have been at the helm of the De Herberg van Smallingerland since 1995. After 31 years, a new chapter is beginning now that their son Jurmen has officially become a co-owner. Jurmen has gained experience at top establishments such as Landgoed Lauswolt and Kaatje bij de Sluis. With the arrival of son Jurmen Bult as a partner and chef, the future of the family business in the historic listed building dating from 1791 is firmly secured. In addition, the restaurant is introducing a more accessible format, offering à la carte dining alongside the tasting menu.

2 minute read

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Villa Kakelbont | Old hospitality legend returns to Rotterdam

10-3-2026

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You walk in and it feels as if time has stood still. This month, hospitality legend Villa Kakelbont made its comeback in the centre of Rotterdam, on Halvemaanpassage behind the Meent. Once the café of the Oude Haven, now a new place: a warm living room for the city. With a vintage interior, board games and pub classics on the menu, you’ll soon find yourself staying the whole evening.

Reading time: 2 minutes

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Trends we spotted | Week 9

3-3-2026

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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:

• Burger King is introducing updates to its iconic Whopper, including a new bun and box packaging.
• Live Más LIVE 2026 by Taco Bell, a Hollywood-themed event revealing its 2026 menu innovations.
• Kyriad has launched ‘Prompt It’ the first AI-powered travel guide created by the brand.
• Travel and Tour World has released its ‘Top 50 Nightlife Travel Destinations for 2026’.
• Starbucks is launching new Coffee & Protein bottled drinks on March 23.
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has added permanent Senior Meals (55+) to its menu.
• Mandarin Oriental has appointed Simone Biles as its first Global Wellness Ambassador.

Enjoy reading!

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Cool Kids Check In | Avani’s Family Friendly Resorts for every kind of kid

27-2-2026

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Family holidays are no longer one-size-fits-all. Avani’s Family Friendly Resorts is responding with a collection of resorts across Asia and the Indian Ocean designed around how kids actually travel, from Water Babies and Sporty kids to Foodies, Adventurers and Creatives. Each resort reflects different interests and energy levels while keeping the overall experience simple, flexible and enjoyable for parents too.

Great examples of a cool kids check in!

2 minutes read

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The Jollof Club chooses community funding for its first permanent location in Amsterdam-Zuidoost

26-2-2026

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The West African restaurant concept The Jollof Club in Amsterdam is taking its next step. Chef Nicolas Aquaa and hospitality entrepreneur Bunmi Okolosi will open their first permanent location in spring 2026 at Klein Bijlmerplein (Bijlmerplein 508) in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. To make this possible, they have consciously chosen crowdfunding via CrowdAboutNow.

With this campaign, they are not only building financial support, but above all a community. Future guests, fans, and local residents can become co-creators from the very beginning. “We want people to feel part of this story from day one,” says Bunmi Okolosi. “Not just as guests, but as a community.”

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 8

23-2-2026

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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:

• Westrock Coffee Company recently announced it has officially achieved its goal of becoming 100% responsibly sourced, fulfilling the commitment the company publicly set in 2021.
• The inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma will bring together 70 historic Italian cars in the heart of Rome. Taking place from the 16th-19th of April 2026.
• The development of the Al Layan Oasis project has been approved, it will become a new environmental and recreational destination in Dubai.
• Heineken® launched two new non-alcoholic flavours, Cold Pressed Lime and Nectarine Juniper, in the US.
• Tim Hortons, a coffee chain from North America, is introducing Golden Cinnamon Cold Foam as a limited-time customization option this spring. The brand also continues to highlight its protein latte platform.
• Jordan olive oil from Lesbos is now available in a paper bottle, made from 94% recycled cardboard, featuring a specially designed pourer that doesn’t spill a drop.
• The Dutch coffee and bagels chain Bagels & Beans distributes nearly 1,000 love cards for Valentine’s Day. We spotted Café Pli, een ‘Café à Lettres’ in Paris, where visitors can write a letter to their future selves!
• Onyx Coffee Lab (USA) tops the list as the best coffee shop in ‘THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS’. Fuku by FriedHats in Amsterdam is ranked number 79! Congrats to all companies on this list!

Enjoy reading!

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A ‘bottomless Easter brunch’ in Nijmegen | Collaboration between Plan_A and Cath’s Cuisine

20-2-2026

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Cath’s Cuisine and Plan_A are organizing a bottomless Easter brunch on Sunday, April 5. Following a successful first edition, they are once again joining forces to create a culinary Easter experience in Nijmegen. On Easter Sunday, they will host an extensive and cosy brunch. Expect shared dining with delicious dishes and, of course, unlimited drinks, carefully selected to perfectly complement the food. A great example of a strong local collaboration.

1 minute read

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