The rooster back on the plate
28-3-2014
Last weekend, I have been reading a Dutch Magazine ‘Bouillon‘ (spring 2014). Each time a delight to read all the independent and surprising stories with the food culture as theme. Since I recently read somewhere about fried rooster combs I found it very interesting to read (I’m sorry but in Dutch) the story about roosters. Late January Nel Schellekens of Dutch restaurant ‘De Gulle Waard‘ in Winterswijk has prepared a dinner in cooperation with barbecue champion Ralph de Kok, made with all kinds of goodies such as hay rooster, smoked rooster, butterflyd rooster, pâté etc. In this article is stated that about 40 million roosters be gassed annually on their first day of life, in the Netherlands only. On the website, the comeback of the rooster (Sorry Dutch only), you’ll find recipes and more background information. They started the website in the hope that less roosters will be killed. I guess I will put a rooster on the menu with Easter. Good to see that there are more and more initiatives to bring ‘forgotten animals’ on the plate. Last week we posted an article about the meat of young goats and the goose isn’t forgotten either. ^ Marjolein
The Big Street food Competition
27-3-2014
The Food Line-up and Streetfood Netherlands organize the ‘Big Street food Competition’ in the end of September. The Netherlands counts more than 200 mobile kitchens (food trucks), but the available street food is currently limited by law. During the ‘Big Street food Competition’ street food entrepreneurs battle in various categories like the best concept or the best piece of meat. An independent jury will choose the winners. Perhaps this contest can influence the (political) opinion about Street food in the Netherlands.
Warm up in the Surf Sauna
21-3-2014
The Surf Sauna is specially designed for surfers who want to surf during snow and cold weather. Surfers can acclimatize in the Surf Sauna after their cold plunge. The mobile sauna is available in various sizes from 2 up to 8 persons and is weatherproof. There are special constructions for the surfboard on the outside of the sauna. The Surf Sauna is designed by a group of surfers in Portsmouth. Perhaps wintersporter goers can warm up in the sauna after a day of skiing.
Pilot to prevent wasted goat meat successful
19-3-2014
Patron Sicco Gerlsma of restaurant Tandjong Priok in Arum presented the results of a pilot against the waste of newborn young goats on 14 March. Before, young goats were wasted because they had no economic value. Through a regional approach involving a goat farmer, butcher and restaurants consumers can enjoy the goat meat in various dishes and prevent unnecessary waste and animal suffering.
Sleeping in a honeycomb hotel at festivals
13-3-2014
No more difficulties with tents at festivals, but sleep in this luxe honeycomb hotel called ‘B&Bee’. The honeycomb hotel consists of several boxes in the shape of hexagonal cylinders. The boxes can be stacked up to four floors and each box offers place for two persons. There is space for luggage, power supply and the honeycomb hotel is fire- and weatherproof. Developer Barbara Vanthorre got the idea for this hotel after a night out in Ghent and this summer they are testing the ‘B&Bee’ at various festivals in Ghent.
Amsterdam turns bread into energy
12-3-2014
Inhabitants of the Kolenkitwijk neighborhood in Amsterdam threw their bread on the streets because their religion prohibits throwing it away in the garbage bin. This caused a rat plague and other problems with unwanted animals. As a solution the government placed special bread dumpsters in the area. The bread from these dumpsters is used by Pink Pony Express for a national energy experiment in collaboration with micro-biologists. They developed it into a permanent bread digester that can process 10 kg bread into 3000 liter of biogas a day. To celebrate the opening there are three bread baking workshops in the neighborhood on Friday 14 March.
Slow food at the Milano Centrale station
11-3-2014
In the home of the slow food movement (northern Italy) Autogrill (from the resto stops) has opened Bistrot Milano Centrale in collaboration with the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo. In the former 3rd class waiting room of the Central Station of Milan, one serves local traditional dishes, taking into account the seasons and as healthy as possible preparations, like the use of sourdough and of traditional maturing and ageing processes. The Bistrot Centrale is a vibrant ambience evoking a typical covered market, where high quality goes hand in hand, with food islands like a bakery, cafe, street food, wine bar and gourmet cuisine. The objective is to provide a sustainable venue, with a special focus on respect for the natural environment, local culture and economy, also through use of natural materials, the limiting of waste and the promotion of virtuous practice amongst the clientele as well.
Organic lifestyle festival EkoTown
28-2-2014
The first edition of the EkoTown festival will be organized at the ‘Amsterdamse Bos’ on 21 and 22 June. It is the first organic lifestyle festival in the Netherlands. The two day during festival is dedicated to a healthy organic lifestyle. The pop-up village has several plazas where visitors can join different activities such as boot camp classes, yoga, a debate about superfood and the future of our food. Various dishes can be tasted at the Taste Plaza, where also farmers and growers tell their story about the fruit and vegetables. Besides the various plazas there are also performances.
Leave a message to the farmers
19-2-2014
Consumers often do not know where their food comes from. Cisse Trading Co, a company that focuses on Fairtrade chocolate bakes and drinks, gives consumers the opportunity to send a message to the farmers. There is a QR-code at the packaging of the food that can be scanned by the customer. The consumer is linked to the Facebook page where they can leave a message to the farmers. So there is more transparency and it creates a connection between the farmer and the consumer who buys their products.
Temporary city in empty building
18-2-2014
Jaap Urban started a project to provide a temporary practical solution for one empty building in Groningen at the end of April or the beginning of May 2014. With the launch of tijdelijkestad.nl he motivates citizens and entrepreneurs to think along about the optimal use of a building for one week. Potential buildings can be suggested via the website, when one is found, the contents of the program and pop-up stores can be filled in. This can vary from temporary shops and sport facilities to restaurants and office space for entrepreneurs. Next that events and workshops will complement the program for the period.
Within three weeks a suitable building will be picked.
