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Artist Nils Verkaeren created a monumental live painting for restaurant NEBO (*)

16-9-2025

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A great way to introduce new art into your restaurant! Yesterday, Monday, September 15, chef Dimitri De Koninck and artist Nils Verkaeren invited the public to the Panamarenkoplein in Antwerp, right in front of restaurant NEBO (*), for a unique open-air performance. The Belgian painter Verkaeren, recently back from exhibitions in Mexico and Colombia, spent the entire day working on a monumental seven-meter artwork inspired by the sky above the square. Once completed, the canvas was ceremoniously brought inside and now has a permanent place in the restaurant’s private dining room.

2 minutes read

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FlineBox | Diageo launches interactive electronic breathalyzer in the Netherlands

15-9-2025

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Diageo and Fline are hosting the Dutch launch of the FlineBox today, September 15, at Anna van Buerenplein in The Hague. This interactive and accessible breathalyzer terminal helps people make more conscious choices, with one clear message: zero alcohol behind the wheel. More details on how this interactive electronic breathalyzer terminal works, in this article.

2 minutes read

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First restaurants receive the Dutch quality label ‘Gezellig’

15-9-2025

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On September 24, 2025, the first ten businesses in the hospitality sector will be awarded the new, Dutch, hospitality quality label ‘Gezellig’ in Grolloo. This independent label, initiated by hospitality expert Jeannine Sok and entrepreneur Sven Heijkoop, shines a spotlight on front-of-house staff and aims to contribute to the professionalization of the industry. At the same time, the consumer magazine ‘Gezellig’ will be launched, featuring the certified businesses and inspiring stories from the hospitality sector.

2 minutes read

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HEINZ and Smoothie King launch the first-ever Ketchup Smoothie

18-8-2025

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HEINZ and Smoothie King have teamed up to answer the playful cultural question: if tomatoes are a fruit, is ketchup a smoothie? Their answer comes in the form of the HEINZ Tomato Ketchup Smoothie, a limited-edition blend that combines HEINZ Simply Tomato Ketchup with real fruits, creating a sweet yet tangy summer drink. Available for a limited time at some locations of the Smoothie King in the US.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 33

15-8-2025

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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:

• Polish bakery brand Fit Cake, with over 80 locations in Poland, has opened its first Canadian store on Toronto’s Bloor Street West, offering signature gluten- and sugar-free treats!
• Sugar-free vanilla ice cream at restaurant Sel Gris in Knokke-Heist, proof that dietary restrictions can still taste delicious! And why not put in on your menu?
• The world’s only Michelin three-star vegan restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, will serve meat and fish again. Check out all the details of this change in the article.
• Xi Home Dumplings -The dumpling Bay in London, together with Marley Bones Dog Food, is serving free doggy dumplings from National Dog Day through September 9.
• Located in Hollywood, California, the Tesla Diner combines a supercharging station, a classic American diner and a drive-in experience, all in one.
• In the US, The Peach Cobbler Factory created mobile units to bring its desserts to smaller towns and other events.
• IHG Hotels & Resorts Brings ‘Bed on the Baseline’ to the 2025 US Open.
• Dave & Buster’s has opened its second location in India—a 22,000 sq. ft. venue on the fourth floor of the Infiniti Mall in Mumbai, in partnership with the Malpani Group. And they have many upcoming venues planned!

Enjoy reading!

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The Doggy Route to Happiness | The world’s first sightseeing tour for dogs

12-8-2025

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Last weekend, Helsinki, known as the happiest capital in the world, launched The Doggy Route to Happiness, believed to be the world’s first sightseeing tour designed especially for dogs. The event coincided with the World Dog Show 2025 and attracted over 1,000 dogs and their owners.

2 minutes read

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HosPETality | Tail-wagging ideas to pamper four-legged guests

11-8-2025

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On August 26, it’s International Dog Day once again – the perfect moment to share some more fun examples of how the four-legged friends of guests are welcomed in hotels and restaurants. More and more, we see reels showing even large dogs going on holiday, sometimes even flying on planes! Honestly, I can’t imagine taking our office dog Jimmy on a long flight… In this article other examples of HosPETality, like: the Chief Happiness Officer at the Fairmont Tokyo, enjoying a martini, beer or ice cream with your dog, off-leash play areas, a ‘Dog Stick Library’ and more. ^Marjolein

This article follows up on our earlier HosPETality piece from 2022, with more examples of pet-friendly initiatives.

3 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 32

8-8-2025

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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:

• Inspiration for restaurant chains? Hard Rock Cafe announced the five finalists for its annual World Burger Tour.
• Spotted at an Instagram reel – A £2 toilet trip in Budapest at – POP&ROLL Art Toilet. Combining art, design and utility!
• The 4-star citizenM Dublin St. Patrick’s hotel recently opened with a chaotic pillow fight, great idea!
• Starting August 12, McDonald’s invites fans in the U.S. on a nostalgic journey to McDonaldland.
• Since the end of July, you can enjoy a special drink at all participating Burger King restaurants in Germany: The Summernades! Drinks topped with cotton candy.
• To celebrate the festive opening of the Efteling Grand Hotel, the Efteling placed the world’s largest ribbon bow on the façade of its new luxury hotel. Guinness World Record!
• This summer, McDonald’s Germany invites guests on a global culinary journey with 22 international menu items from 17 countries. Mit Mecces um die Welt.
• Since August 1st, Postillion Hotels has been serving Plant First: their entire food offering, from lunch and dinner buffets to walking dinners and snacks, now has a plant-based foundation.
• The inspiration for the 2025 Duvel Designer Glass comes from artist Loes van Delft. With her design for the iconic glass, she and Duvel advocate for connection and softness.

Enjoy reading!

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ICE! by the Gaylord Hotels returns for the 2025 Holiday Season

4-8-2025

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This winter, the iconic holiday attraction ICE! by the Gaylord Hotels returns to six U.S. resorts, offering guests a magical walk-through world of hand-carved ice sculptures, live shows, and family-friendly Christmas activities. The event features over 2 million pounds of ice, sculpted into scenes from classic holiday stories by master artisans from Harbin, China.

We wrote about ICE! by Gaylord Hotels back in 2023, but who doesn’t love this iconic holiday tradition? It’s also a great reminder to start planning your own Christmas event. This experience is especially inspiring for smaller hotel or restaurant chains looking to create memorable, guest-attracting holiday moments.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 31

1-8-2025

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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:

• Tomorrow (August 2) Pride Amsterdam’ Canal Parade is celebrated. A great beer to enjoy during the Pride and beyond is the IPGAY by Queer Beer. A tropical summer beer with a statement!
• At Lotti’s Bar in The Hoxton hotel in Amsterdam, you can enjoy a glitter brunch during the Pride. And The Jollof Club from August 7 through September offers refined African cuisine by chef Nicolas Aquaa.
• Le Bristol Paris is celebrating their centenary! They unveiled the Eden Suite, a lush 6th-floor sanctuary dedicated to wellness luxury.
• ‘Une collab gourmande’ between Deliveroo × French Bandit’s. Order a meal for yourself and receive a pet toy! A great way to target pet owners? We love the pizza slice and baguette toy!
• Glacerie Enzo & Lily Libre in Paris. Here Lionel Chauvin creates spectacular ice cream flavours – like glace hot dog or glace bouillabaisse. But we love to taste his glace Fraise des bois blanche.
• Immersive restaurant pop-up of ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ in Santa Monica. Subway® sends fans to their Happy Place!
• A great example of a family room! We love the Rocket Room, spotted at the Shangri-La Singapore.
• Center Parcs De Vossemeren is the first location of this brand that unveiled their completely renovated restaurants. A collab with Albron.
• Design hotel brand TRIBE, part of Accor hotels, is expanding rapidly in Europe, with among others a new location in the Netherlands, TRIBE Den Haag Centraal.

Enjoy reading!

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