Pop-up restaurant SterkWater introduces visitors to Fort Giessen in a culinary way
17-6-2022
In July, you will have the opportunity to discover the Dutch Fort Giessen in a culinary way. From 7 to 31 July, travelling pop-up restaurant SterkWater, a catering experience that brings the hidden stories of the Dutch Waterline to life, will take place here. At Fort Giessen, visitors will be taken on a culinary evening full of stories, delicious food and music. With a menu inspired by the fortress, SterkWater lets you experience Dutch history in a very special way.
Guests are offered a full dinner including drinks and an evening of music and experience. All information and tickets can be found on the website.
3 minutes read
Pika Fest | New hot sauce festival on June 25
17-6-2022
Amsterdam has the first edition of Pika Fest on June 25th! A new free, sustainable and community driven hot sauce event featuring local hot sauce producers. Pika Fest welcomes heat seekers from Amsterdam and around the world to celebrate the ‘pikante’ way of life all together with Pika Fest. Enjoying hot sauce, snacks, music and drinks.
How about BBQ Bowls this summer? | Limited release by Sonny’s BBQ
14-6-2022
Sonny’s BBQ, an industry leading BBQ restaurant in the USA, recently announced the launch of their new BBQ Bowls, showcasing the brand’s innovation, value, and culinary expertise. For a limited time, guests will have the ability to build their own BBQ Bowl or choose from three specially crafted Pitmaster Select Bowls: Classic BBQ, Kickin’ Chicken, and Smokin’ Brisket. BBQ Bowls will be available at all Sonny’s locations as from June 13.
Poké Bowls are very popular in the Netherlands and even wok food is served in bowls nowadays. Even all kinds of breakfast bowls, like for example a smoothie bowl or an acai bowls. Would you like to try a bowl with Sonny’s BBQ dirty rice or mac and cheese, vegetables and meat? Or serve a BBQ Bowl at one of your barbecues?
Restaurant Noor (*) in Groningen gives students 50% discount
14-6-2022
Restaurant Noor in the city Groningen in the north of the Netherlands has recently been awarded with a Michelin star and is giving students a 50% discount on their entire bill this fall. Owners Marleen and Jeroen Brouwer want to make dining in a top restaurant more accessible to students and thus invest in potential guests of the future. The student offer runs from September through December 2022 and is valid every second Tuesday of the month.
#GoLocal | Artisanal spirits from the Netherlands
14-6-2022
In recent years, we have spotted a lot of new artisanal spirits in the Netherlands. We have written about the Jongens van Oud West (the Boys of Oud West) who produce Orancello, orange-based Limoncello, and about Voerman Vieux, whose vieux is served straight up with ice cubes or used in cocktails. And about Pink Willem, the first Dutch rosé vermouth based on rhubarb, raspberry and matching botanicals and about the canned cocktails by Amsterdam-based brand Kever Jenever. We also wrote about the sustainable limited edition Hemelwater jenever by Hooghoudt: the distillery from Groningen succeeded in producing jenever from rainwater in 2021.
Below a list of more artisanal drinks!
An innovative drive-thru experience at Taco Bell Defy
10-6-2022
Taco Bell is redefining drive-thrus as consumers know it with one of its most innovative Taco Bell restaurant designs yet. Coined Taco Bell Defy, the restaurant that broke ground last summer opened its doors – but most importantly, its four-lane drive-thru – in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on June 7. The first of its kind two-story model delivers innovative technology and design, like a proprietary vertical lift to transport iconic craveable Taco Bell menu items straight from the kitchen to fans.
Back in August 2021 we wrote about the plans for this new drive-thru and as far as we can see, it’s as they said it would be.
Trends we spotted | Week 23
10-6-2022
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 amongst others ‘tree free paper’, notebooks made from upcycled stone waste. Is ‘Paper / On The Rocks’ interesting as stationary for those hotels who strive to be as sustainable as possible?
Audi USA teams up with three-Michelin-star Restaurant Noma and global nonprofit MAD to spark conversations around sustainability. And the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design opens in Oslo on 11 June, 2022.
You can play ‘feather bowling’ at Randolph Beer bar in Brooklyn. We never heard of ‘Feather Bowling’, or ‘Trabollen’ as they call it in Belgium, did you? Culinary cruise during the hundredth edition of the Dutch sailing event ‘Kaagweek’.
We love the simple idea behind the Pride Wopper of Burger King in Austria (that features a same-side bun for “equal love and equal rights”) but the campaign gets a lot of reactions. The Colombian brewery Dos Tercos prints promises by presidential candidates on beer cans. To remind them of it!
The Apollo Hotels successfully transformed into Leonardo Hotels and their new website is online as well. And TENZING Natural Energy is now also available in the Netherlands, it’s a completely plant-based, low-calorie energy drink with a positive impact on the planet.
Good Fish | Vermaat Groep goes for sustainably caught or cultivated fish
9-6-2022
World Oceans Day was on June 8, and it is an indisputable fact that healthy oceans are important to us. Almost 70% of the earth’s surface consists of water. The sea is the largest ecosystem in the world. Billions of people depend on it for C02, food, work, oxygen, tourism and so on. As important as it is, we, people from the Netherlands, continue to eat too much fish that was brought to us due to overfishing. But at the Vermaat Groep, things are changing. In partnership with Good Fish, they are going to ensure that fish that is overfished, endangered, illegally caught or cultivated is no longer available in their 400 restaurants.
SHIN | A new Japanese tapas bar and matcha café in Rotterdam
7-6-2022
Opening – At the beginning of this summer SHIN will open its doors at the Rodezand in Rotterdam. A modern, cosy Japanese tapas bar and matcha cafe in izakaya style. This brand new concept is created by entrepreneurs Tony and Nanako, who also own the popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ajisan on the Coolsingel.
Trends we spotted | Week 22
3-6-2022
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 amongst others the sunscreen swap with the new suncare brand Project Reef at the Four Seasons Resort Maui for World Oceans Day. And would you like to try a pizza with Pepsi Cola infused Pepperoni or as they call it, the Pepsi-Roni Pizza.
Inspiration for pastry chefs: from the pastry chef at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Chambord Foam will be served at their new dessert action station. And from our favorite pastry chef Dominique Ansel, his delicious looking Around The World collection.
Chipotle kicks off pride month with ‘Always Real’ actions for the LGBTQIA+ community, inspiration for other restaurants during their cities pride? And we once tasted Fried Pickles, we loved it so if we lived in the USA we would visit Zaxby’s, the premium quick-service restaurant that has added it to their menu.
Nobu Hospitality continues strategic European expansion with the announcement of Nobu Hotel Madrid, again in a long-term agreement with Millenium Hospitality Real Estate SOCIMI (“MHRE”).
Two new drinks on the Dutch market: the Filipino Santa Ana Gin which is imported by André Kerstens in The Hague and a slow tequila: Mijenta Tequila Blanco and Mijenta Tequila Reposado!
Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Mama Gaia Academy | First online hospitality academy with a plant-based focus
2-6-2022
The unique Mama Gaia Academy recently launched, this academy prepares participants for a job in the hospitality industry for free and in just six weeks. This way, the academy wants to tackle the staff shortage in the hospitality industry. In a short online training course, people with little or no experience are trained for a job in the kitchen or operations. The English-language programme is easily accessible and participants can watch short informative videos on their smartphones at any time of day. In order to accelerate the transition to more plant-based options in the hospitality industry, vegan cuisine is central to all modules. The Academy was set up by the founder of social enterprise Dopper, known for the refillable water bottle that reduces the use of single-use plastic. The course is made possible by among others Gulpener.
2 minutes read
Wasted Enough! 013 Poppodium partners with visitors for ‘a better world’
2-6-2022
Under the heading ‘Genoeg Gewaste’ (Wasted Enough), 013 Poppodium is taking big steps in the context of sustainability and at the same time wants to make a global impact. For example, the pop stage is saying goodbye to soft cups and bottled water from now on. Thanks to partnerships with charities, visitors can now contribute to water and food projects around the world. A visitor of 013 Poppodium doesn’t order one glass, but 300 litres of water.
2 minutes read
KFC introduces ‘Veggie Tenders’ in all Dutch KFC restaurants
2-6-2022
KFC Netherlands introduces a new vegetarian product range: the Original Recipe ‘Veggie Tenders’ – available on a burger, in a bucket, as a snack, in a boxed meal and as a Twister. The crunchy Veggie Tenders are made from the plant protein mycoprotein. After a successful pilot – at six different KFC restaurants – this meat substitute is permanently available in all KFC restaurants in the Netherlands as of last Tuesday.
2 minutes read
Sushi in all shapes and sizes
31-5-2022
Sushi, by now a product eaten with some regularity by young and old people. Everyone has at least one type of sushi that they like. There are now countless restaurants where you can eat sushi, in all shapes, sizes and formats. We did some research on the most original ideas for sushi!
L´OR Espresso launches campaign with chef Joris Bijdendijk
27-5-2022
The taste of coffee with the magic of cooking. This week coffee brand L´OR Espresso is launching a campaign in collaboration with star chef Joris Bijdendijk. In this campaign Joris takes you along on a sensory journey. Together with L’OR Espresso he dives into the world of coffee; we will get to know a palette of flavors, aromas and matching dishes. The campaign consists of a video series of three episodes that show the versatile and sensory qualities of L´OR Espresso, in which seduction of the senses is the main focus. According to Joris and L´OR Espresso, coffee is so much more than a quick caffeine boost. It is great to drink, but just as much fun to cook with. In the videos, viewers learn how to really taste coffee, how to recognize different flavor profiles and how to incorporate coffee into dishes.
Reading time: 2 minutes.
Dikke Mic in Rotterdam
27-5-2022
Have you always wanted to go to a karaoke bar in Tokyo? You don’t have to hop on a plane to do that anymore: Dikke Mic has everything a real karaoke lover desires, just in Rotterdam. Dikke Mic also surprises you on a culinary level: they are opening a brand new street food bar with Asian street food, prepared by none other than Michelin-star chef Ron Blaauw. In the basement, inspired by the small Asian streets and alleys, are the karaoke rooms, each with their own theme. The perfect recipe for a successful night out for small and large groups!
Reading time: 2 minutes
‘HANS IM GLÜCK’ chain presents a climate-neutral burger
24-5-2022
A comprehensive range of vegetarian and vegan dishes, a burger with an insect patty or biodegradable straws – HANS IM GLÜCK has been an pioneer of the industry in sustainability since its founding in 2010. Now the company is once again setting new standards with the climate-neutral WEGWEISER burger.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Creamistry launches the Croffle | A croissant x waffle hybrid
20-5-2022
Creamistry, a California-based concept specializing in customizable made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream and other frozen treats, has launched the Croffle, a decadent croissant-waffle hybrid adorned with fresh cream, toppings and sauces. Pulled fresh off the iron with a sweet sugar glaze, the Croffles are available in six delicious varieties as well as a build-your-own option, now available at the Cerritos, CA location as a test kitchen launch. Croffles will be available at more Creamistry locations later this summer.
Although we already wrote about the Croffle in 2021, we always love to write about the use of new food hybrids and show images. In the article a list of a couple of more food hybrids we wrote about.
Trends we spotted | Week 20
20-5-2022
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 amongst others links to articles about the beer brand Coors, which introduced a barley milk, ‘Golden Wing’. And we congratulate Brewdog on their 15th anniversary, they have created a 15%. PUNK. IPA for the occasion!
Katy Perry collaborates with Takeaway.com in a new campaign. Did you see their clip already? You can watch the whole clip further in this article. And Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition currently has seven high-end hotels and the eighth, the Son Bunyola Hotel on Mallorca, is due to open in the summer of 2023.
There are already two Paradox Museums in Oslo and Stockholm, and at the end of this year a Paradox Museum will open in the ‘American Dream’ shopping and indoor family entertainment park in New Jersey.
On May 12, the 50 best pizzerias in Europe were announced by, 50 Top Pizza Europe 2022. According to them, you eat the best pizza at Peppe Pizzeria in Paris. We congratulate them and nNea Pizza in Amsterdam with their 11th position!
In honor of Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee, Claridge’s is celebrating her anniversary in its own unique and legendary style, including cocktails and a ‘Royal Archive Cabinet’ in their lobby.
There is a limited edition NFT collection of the Instagram posts of virtual influencer Esther Olofsson from Rotterdam! Available at opensea.io. And McDonald’s USA is introducing the ‘Chocolately Pretzel McFlurry’ this summer. For a limited time as from May 25.
The newest Eataly store opens at Rome Fiumicino airport, with over 2,000 square meters, it will be the brand’s 41st outlet!
Dormio Resort Maastricht enriched with Castellum castle complex
19-5-2022
Opening – With the finalization of the Castellum, Dormio Resort Maastricht is complete. The addition of three very luxurious penthouses, 21 apartments and a tower house to the existing 266 accommodations and the new wellness centre completed the resort on the Dousberg in the south of the Netherlands, near the city Maastricht. The whole complex oozes the atmosphere of an authentic Limburg village with the architectural features of the region. The resort comprises various types of luxury houses and flats. They are situated along real streets and squares, which refer to the illustrious history of this part of Maastricht. The accommodations vary in size and facilities and can be flexibly booked from 1 night to long stays.
Sapphire House Antwerp and restaurant WILDn & PLANTn are open
19-5-2022
Opening – Sapphire House Antwerp, the long awaited Marriott hotel in Antwerp, opened its doors this week. The five star hotel is the first hotel in the world that is completely plant-based, and where two star chef Bart De Pooter spoils the guests of the hotel with a culinary experience. This five star hotel is located on the 16th century site of the Antwerp Stock Exchange and was carefully renovated with the idea to protecting international cultural heritage. Sapphire House Antwerp has 139 rooms, all unique and with their own character, a plant-based bistro PLANTn, a lively cocktail bar, a gym, and as the cherry on top: a gourmet restaurant, WILDn. It promises to be a unique hotel experience for every guest…exactly like nothing else.
Royal Spelt starts first 100% organic bitterballen and kroketten factory
17-5-2022
Royal Spelt has opened the first 100% organic bitterballen and kroketten factory in Nieuwegein in the Netherlands in mid-May 2022. Owners Fabienne Muller and Michael Kapoen started this factory to have full control over the production. The reason for this was the control over of the entire production process. Royal Spelt draws stock from fresh vegetables and herbs instead of stock grains or powder. In its own factory, Royal Spelt can take all the time needed for the cooking process of the spelt ragout (salpicon) and the recipe remains a (family) secret.
Lowlander introduces the first-ever alcohol-free craft beer on tap
17-5-2022
Botanical brewer Lowlander presents the very first alcohol-free craft beer on tap. Alcohol-free beer is an integral part of the Dutch market and already accounts for one in twenty of all beers consumed. Lowlander is proud to increase consumption choice with this innovation, by making two of their best-selling non-alcoholic botanically brewed beers available on tap: the 0.00% Wit and the 0.3% I.P.A..
All the food festival inspiration you need
17-5-2022
The sun is shining and the Netherlands is enjoying the outdoors! There are plenty of festivals where we can go again! We love to visit a food festival, don’t you? We’ve seen some nice small scale festivals like last weekend FestiValk and the ‘Shit hot Fest’ in April, below a list of small, fun and tasty food festivals in the Netherlands and some nice international concepts, maybe inspiration for the Dutch hospitality industry and festival organizers! We found among others the Fête du Champagne et Vins, an oyster festival, a tapas festival, Singelpark dinner and an espresso martini festival..
You can organize a small scale festival within your own company or companies or build a ‘festival’ with fellow hospitality entrepreneurs, what’s stopping you as long as there are no festivals happening in your area? In this article some inspiration!
Trends we spotted | Week 19
13-5-2022
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 amongst others the small blocks of Parmigiano Reggiano at the McDonald’s in Italy! Might be inspiration for the McDonald’s in the Netherlands, we have great cheeses as well!
Karen’s Diner is coming to the Netherlands, this chain from Australia serves ‘great burgers with very rude service’. We had to explain to our older colleagues what a ‘Karen’ is, do you know it? And Domino’s Pizza Germany launched the Nutri-Score on products and an A-Pizza ‘Fitness Fan’.
The legendary cruise ship Queen Elizabeth 2 becomes an Accor branded hotel: MGallery Hotel Collection. After renovation it will be permanently located in Port Rashid, Dubai.
Lowering the temperature on a terrace: aerMist. We have already experienced a similar system in San Francisco and the Far East, but perhaps also useful in the north of Europe with the rising temperatures?
The Belgian brewery ‘Scheldebrouwerij’ has created a new, fresh look for their special beers. And the Fletcher hotels introduced their own private label in skincare products: BLUE Collection by Fletcher.
Berre and Munur, SLA Leiden's franchisees, posing in front of their new location.
Preparation of a fresh SLA meal.
A large SLA meal, completely vegetarian.
