Thai’s Streetfood restaurant Pitaya opens in Antwerp
21-10-2021
Thai’s Streetfood restaurant Pitaya, the restaurant chain specialized in Thai cuisine, opened its first restaurant in Antwerp, next to Operaplein in the newly renovated Antwerp Tower. After three successful openings in Brussels and Wallonia, it is now Flanders’ turn. And they will open in the Netherlands as well in the coming years.
Inspired by the Thai capital, the first Pitaya restaurant opened in 2010 in Bordeaux, France. The Antwerp restaurant is number 122 on their list! Most of the restaurants are located in France. Alpha Seed, the investment company that manages Pitaya’s license for the Benelux, is planning further openings in Liège and Charleroi this year. Pitaya now manages 5 restaurants in Belgium. The goal is to reach 70 in the Benelux in 7 years: 30 restaurants in Belgium, 35 in the Netherlands and 5 in Luxembourg.
Reading time: 2 minutes
How spooky do you want it to be? | 13 bits of Halloween inspiration
19-10-2021
On American inspiration websites you can’t miss Halloween. Halloween is major in the US and slowly but surely more and more people in the Netherlands are celebrating it too! In our Dutch village it will be celebrated as well. The organization normally responsible for our King’s Day celebration will this year also organize a Halloween spooky tour along ‘haunted houses’ where the children get hot chocolate and can pick up ‘creepy’ candy. Such a fun night! How can you celebrate Halloween as a hospitality provider? Would you profit from a celebration and would your Dutch or European guests enjoy it? The last point is of course clear; it is fun and it always makes sense to positively surprise your guests, even if it is with a freshly baked ‘ghost’ cookie or a mini pumpkin of marzipan. To get in this spooky atmosphere before the actual holiday (31st of October), we have listed 13 bits of Halloween inspiration for you! ^Marjolein
Reading time: 3 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 42
18-10-2021
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 NANKA that makes patties from Jack Fruit in combination with mushrooms, chicken and beef to help meat-eaters to reduces their meat intake in Malaysia. And in Germany Essity and McDonald’s are recycling the paper cups into toilet paper.
The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop from New York is growing fast through franchising, they’re opening 5 new locations in Florida. And the Singapore-born, Instagram-famous Paradise Group debuted in California last September with their Rainbow Soup Dumplings!
The Dutch cider producers and importers of CiderCider will open ‘the Ciderbar’ in Rotterdam Hofbogen by the end of December. And in Groningen the first RavioliBar in the Netherlands opened. They make fresh ravioli daily!
The Cheesecake Factory has been sharing a slew of their incredible recipes for readers to make in their own kitchens since the COVID-19 crisis. Inspirational! And the Dutch Vegan Junk Food Bar will open in Germany this fall.
Voerman Vieux | Ingmar Voerman brings the Dutch liquor ‘Vieux’ back to life
15-10-2021
Yesterday, Thursday 14th of October, Ingmar Voerman and Jos Zonneveld launched their new brand Voerman Vieux in Amsterdam. We had the pleasure of tasting their new product, on the rocks for connoisseurs and delicious in cocktails! In this article we share two recipes. Check out our highlight on Instagram of the real Dutch launch in Amsterdam.
Beverage journalist Ingmar Voerman and co-owner Jos Zonneveld are revitalising the ancient Dutch Vieux with their Voerman Vieux and are introducing this beverage to a whole new generation. They have created an artisanal vieux with a full, round taste.
Reading time: 2 minuten
Goût de France ’21 & the gastronomy of tomorrow
15-10-2021
The Goût de(/Good) France culinary event is back, for its 6th edition! From October 14 to 22, 2021, chefs from around the world will be serving dinners “à la française” as an ode to French cuisine. In previous editions, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Provence took center stage, but this time the cultural and culinary heritage of the Centre-Val de Loire region is on the menu, with a sustainable sauce.
Goût de France is an initiative of the well-known French chef Alain Ducasse and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is initiated by Explore France and the 2 Michelin star chef Christophe Hay from the Vendôme is their ambassador this year. Interesting to read about his initiatives to put freshwater fish from the Loire back on the menu and his permaculture vegetable garden.
Expansion of the organic breakfast and lunch shop CIRCUS in Antwerp | CIRCUS Winebar
14-10-2021
Opening – The organic breakfast and lunchbar CIRCUS in Antwerp will add a new culinary act to their place starting the 21st of October. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday they dim the lights in their business to focus the spotlight on natural wines. Managers Inge Dreezen and Lien De Naeyer couldn’t find a wine bar in Antwerp with the focus on natural wines. That is why, in line with their organic menu, they decided to take a new and logical step towards an expansion to a natural wine bar during the evening. A step that fits perfectly within their organic path. CIRCUS wine bar is open from October 21.
Reading time: 2 minutes
The world’s first online 100% direct trade coffee platform TYPICA launched in the Netherlands
14-10-2021
The international coffee platform TYPICA launched in the Netherlands this week. This revolutionary online initiative paves the way for (small-scale) coffee producers and family businesses to distribute high- quality green coffee beans in a sustainable way. Coffee roasters can import green coffee beans from just one jute bag (60 kg). They also have access to exclusive information about the coffee producer and the coffee plantation, they stimulate the production of (small-scale) coffee producers and the coffee roaster can choose from more than 1000 unique specialty coffees. The platform is based on a well-functioning business model that improves the sustainability of high-quality coffee and leaves more turnover for the (small-scale) coffee producer. The platform currently consists of more than 2000 coffee roasters and coffee producers from twelve countries who trade directly with each other.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 41
12-10-2021
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 amongst others, links to articles about the expansion of Paris based restaurant Cala, they use robotica to create fresh pasta dishes. And supermarket Jumbo in the Netherlands designates 200 cash registers for ‘checkout chats’ or as they call them ‘kletskassa’s’.
In their stories Starbucks re-announced their global ‘Starbucks Greener Stores’ commitment and McDonald’s announced that they will accelerate climate actions to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Promising is the affiliation with organizations as the United Nations (McDonald’s) and the SCS Global Services and World Wildlife Fund by Starbucks.
Accor & Ennismore announced a joint venture in which both chains contribute their added value. The joint venture will make Ennismore the largest and fastest growing lifestyle hospitality company.
A great initiative by 3 French companies: the Citroën Skate. Citroën created 3 new service pods with Accor and JCDecaux: Sofitel En Voyage, Pullman Power Fitness and JCDecaux City Provider.
Grey Poupon, the mustard brand created a limited edition La Moutarde Vin. A viognier wine infused with mustard seeds, would you like to try it?
Reading time: 5 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 40
6-10-2021
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends daily. 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 sleep-friendly ice cream from Nightfood for the grab-and-go shops in hotel lobbies, a stay in the ‘Nutmobile’ from MR. PEANUT® and Leonardo DiCaprio investing in a Dutch cultured meat company.
‘Change is Brewing!’ is the new flavor of Ben & Jerry’s in America, it remains interesting to read how they also translate their social background into their flavors. And at the Resort World Las Vegas, the art of aufguss, known all over Europe, makes it’s US debut at Awana Spa.
More and more companies are also introducing ‘healthy alternatives’ in their fast food concepts. Like in China where Yum China does this in their more than 6,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell shops. And Hard Rock International announces its 22nd annual PINKTOBER® campaign.
Another rebranded concept that focuses on staying in a city as if you were living there. YAYS, unlock the neighborhood with locations in Amsterdam, The Hague and Paris. And spotted in America: a limited-edition of Hendrick’s Gin-infused pickled cucumbers from Katz’s Delicatessen.
Reading time: 5 minutes
De FAM | First foodmarket in Den Bosch opens in 2022
5-10-2021
We are already very familiar with the foodmarket concept in the Netherlands; a covered area filled with small kitchens where culinary highlights can be enjoyed. The people living in the city of Den Bosch (in the south of the Netherlands) will soon be able to welcome their own ‘foodmarket De FAM’ (FAM is slang for family). A colorful journey of discovery of world cuisines in the middle of the historic city center of Den Bosch.
Foodmarket De FAM will open their doors in the first quarter of 2022 and can accommodate 200 guests (seated). They are still looking for innovative concepts! Read more about it and if you have a concept that fits in, you can send an e-mail (info@foodmarktdefam.nl ) until December 1st with your details, a short description of the concept and why you should be there in Den Bosch!
Reading time: 1 minute
Pitaya Thai Streetfood 
Pitaya Thai Streetfood opened in Antwerp
Pitaya Thai Street Food opened in Antwerp
The team behind Pitaya
Yellow Curry at Pitaya Thaï Street Food in Antwerp
