Heat stress in the kitchen | Why the cold chain breaks in high temperatures
28-7-2026
Temperatures are rising this week in the Netherlands, which means full terraces and dealing with products that need to look good on the table in the sun. In short, quite a few businesses are experiencing heat stress around this topic. You can make this easier on yourself by digitizing temperature control around your products, for example with the app for HACCP and cleaning registration from De Horeca Helper. A contribution from them about ‘Heat stress in the kitchen’!
2 minutes read
Vlees & Co opens its fourth location in Eindhoven with its first ‘Meat Sommelier Workshop’
10-7-2026
Vlees & Co has opened the doors of its new location at Wilhelminaplein in Eindhoven. With this opening, the restaurant, which already has locations in Arnhem, Nijmegen and Amsterdam, continues its expansion across the Netherlands. The new location is the largest to date, with 90 covers inside and a spacious terrace with nearly 70 seats. The Eindhoven location also marks the launch of their first ‘Meat Sommelier Workshop’, read the full article to find out what happens there!
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 27
6-7-2026
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 Lounges chain with 250+ venues in the UK will open its first location overseas in Essen, Germany.
- After weather codes yellow, orange and red, there’s one more colour to watch this summer – Code Purple at Bagels & Beans.
- Brouwerij (brewery) Homeland in Amsterdam launched its own lager, Homeland Puur Pils.
- Pick up your pizza by kayak at the ‘Paddle In’ at Otomat in Ghent.
- Handwritten Collection, a characterful collection of bespoke hotels launched by Accor in 2023, recently announced a significant milestone with the opening of its 50th address.
- At McDonald’s Germany, you can enjoy 23 international product highlights during ‘Mission: World Menu’.
- Travel And Tour World (TTW) recently unveiled its Top 100 Luxury Hotels in the World 2026, a global ranking honouring exceptional properties redefining modern hospitality.
- Great news for Belgian fries lovers heading to Paris, chef Mallory Gabsi has opened his Fry Shop 140 Degrés.
- Wonder, a leading food technology platform, and Zipline, an autonomous delivery service, recently announced a partnership to bring on-demand drone delivery to Wonder locations across Texas.
- Inspiration for ice cream parlours: we spotted ‘Cookies Cloud Cups’ at Ovis Coffees in London.
Enjoy reading!
Restaurant Luwte opened last month in Groningen | Casual fine dining with northern produce
3-7-2026
Chef Falk van Essen and host-sommelier Caroline de Vries recently opened restaurant Luwte at Zwanestraat 26 in Groningen. In a characterful 19th-century listed building, they bring high-end gastronomy in a relaxed, approachable atmosphere. The name Luwte refers to ‘a shelter from the hustle of everyday life’.
2 minutes read
S’mores Frappuccino returns to Starbucks in the US this summer
2-7-2026
The S’mores Starbucks lineup is making its return this summer. The popular S’mores Frappuccino, first introduced in 2015, is back on the menu alongside two new additions: the S’mores Cold Brew with Marshmallow Cold Foam and the S’mores Chai. According to Starbucks, the beverages are inspired by the nostalgic flavors of s’mores, the classic campfire treat made with toasted marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers.
’S mores are becoming increasingly popular here too when we have barbecues. Would we in Europe also enjoy the combination of coffee and ’S mores?
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 26
30-6-2026
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:
- Two acquisitions in a single week underscore Fletcher Hotels’ pace of growth in Germany, Berghotel Astenkrone in Winterberg-Altastenberg and Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Sundern-Sorpesee.
- Restaurant Jondani has been honoured with a Best of Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator, the leading international American wine magazine.
- Restaurant SMAEK in Geldrop has recruited Rowin Geurts and Marcia de Bruijn. The couple will take up their posts as respectively head chef and maître d’ in September 2026.
- New strategic initiative ‘Buurthotel’ connects Amsterdam hotels, the local council and residents through a new concept: ‘co-tourism’.
- Restaurant Noor in Groningen has opted for a proactive solution to a commercial dispute by applying for a suspension of payments and will remain open till the end of 2026.
- The Berkeley and Summerill & Bischop announced a collaboration celebrating the art of entertaining in your suite.
- Duke of Tokyo De Pijp opens its doors this week (July 2) on Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam.
- Spotted on the Instagram account of We Like Côte d’Azur – When designers take over the Riviera.
- Inspiration for ice cream parlours: Leiden welcomed ice cream parlour and chocolatier Madaq, where visitors can pull up by boat for an ice cream, an actual ‘ice cream float-through’! And a great, luxury gelato gift box by Zona.
Enjoy reading!
How can you make your hotel more attractive to solo women travellers?
26-6-2026
We recently came across an article about Preferred Small Hotels, that, together with several boutique hotels in Palm Springs, has seen a growing number of solo women travellers and is actively responding to their needs. It reminded me of a recent holiday of mine in Sicily, where I noticed several women travelling on their own. It made me wonder if hotels know what today’s female traveller looks for when choosing a hotel or destination.
As a former flight attendant, I understand the most important requirement better than most: safety. I still remember how relieved I always felt when my hotel room had a security latch on the door. In this article, we’ve put together a list of simple tips and practical ideas to help you better accommodate this, growing group of solo women travellers. ^Marjolein van Spronsen
4 minutes read
Fresh, fruity and quick to serve | De Kuyper Batched Spritz range for hospitality
26-6-2026
The spritz is no longer just a seasonal one-hit wonder on the cocktail menu. Especially as summer approaches, demand continues to grow for light, fruity and refreshing serves that suit sunny moments and busy days in hospitality. Koninklijke De Kuyper is responding to that demand with a new De Kuyper Batched Spritz range for the hospitality sector. From week 25, De Kuyper Elderflower Spritz and De Kuyper Limoncello Spritz will be introduced in the Netherlands, available in a 100cl Batched Cocktail bottle and a 20-litre KeyKeg. In addition, De Kuyper is launching an Orange Spritz, available exclusively in KeyKeg format.
2 minutes read
NYX Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandt Square opens as a cultural meeting place in the city
26-6-2026
With the opening of NYX Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandt Square on June 25, Amsterdam is gaining more than just a new hotel. The first NYX Hotel in the Benelux combines hospitality, art and culture in a destination designed to bring people together. Located near Rembrandt Square, the hotel embraces a role that extends beyond accommodation. Through a dedicated cultural programme, a permanent art collection and hospitality concepts focused on connection and experience, the hotel aims to contribute to the city’s creative energy. The concept reflects a broader hospitality trend in which hotels are increasingly evolving into destinations, community hubs and platforms for local talent.
2 minutes read
Île de Bisous brings Mediterranean summer evenings to Amsterdam South
23-6-2026
This summer, Amsterdam South is gaining a temporary Mediterranean hotspot. With the launch of Île de Bisous, Bisous and Strandzuid are joining forces for a two-day waterfront event. On July 10 and 11, Strandzuid will transform into an atmospheric open-air destination inspired by the Côte d’Azur, where gastronomy, entertainment, and togetherness take center stage.
2 minutes read
Heat stress in the kitchen - a contribution by De Horeca Helper
