The re-introduction of Reverse Delivery
Boston Pizza introduces ‘reverse delivery’ for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 16 April. The promotion has a funny wink in it and appears to be merely for free-publicity purposes, watch the video here.
Boston Pizza introduces ‘reverse delivery’ for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 16 April. The promotion has a funny wink in it and appears to be merely for free-publicity purposes, watch the video here.
In September, chef Michel Bras*** opened the deli ‘Capucin Signé Bras’ at the parking lot at the Millau Viaduct. The deli serves a variety of ‘Capucins’, that cost around € 7,=. A ‘Capucin’ is a crepe-like cone made of buckwheat and wheat, filled with local produce such as truffles, black pudding, foie gras, Roquefort etc.. A special variant of a simple sandwich. Michel Bras opened a second location along with his two sons and a local hotelier in Toulouse last January.
Online platform Spacified.com makes a match between temporary vacant spaces and designers, retailers and startups in Belgium and the Netherlands. The vacancy rate in retail spaces and offices increase and this brought founder Patrice Fleurquin the idea to develop a matchmaking service to bring both parties in contact. Spacified.com doesn’t only support starters, but also stimulates the creativity to set up an office, retail or event location. Recently Spacified.com and Voka ‘Chamber of Commerce Antwerp- Waasland, launched the POP-UP Guide. This guide gives visitors an overview of the newest, hottest pop-up stores in Belgium and the Netherlands. Currently, the guide only focuses on consumers, but can also provide cities and local authorities with information about the pop-up stores on longer-term. Spacified.com started a crowd funding project to extend the POP-UP Guide for five cities outside Belgium and the Netherlands.
Last Sunday I read a tweet from René Redzepi of Noma in which he indicated to close for two months early 2015. During that period, the entire team from Noma goes to Japan where they will cook in the restaurant of the Japanese chef Murata (restaurant Kikunoi). The philosophy of the cuisine of René Redzepi will be applied to the Japanese products. Great news for the Japanese foodies!
And yesterday the announcement of Heston Blumenthal in which he told that he will close his restaurant The Fat Duck as from December 2014, to reopen February 2015 for six months in The Crown Melbourne Resort. And Heston Blumenthal is also going to Australia with his entire team. After 6 months, the team is going back but a ‘Dinner by Heston Blumenthal’ remains at The Crown Melbourne Resort. Meanwhile, The Fat Duck will be rebuilt. A special way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his restaurant.^Marjolein
Three design students from London came up with the ‘Ooho’: an easy, biodegradable and edible water bubble. Inspired by the techniques of molecular cooking, they developed ‘edible’ water. The water tank of the ‘Ooho’ is made of algae and can be eaten. Perhaps the solution for all the waste that remains of plastic water bottles. The students won the Lexus Design Award 2014.
Thrillist.com gives an overview of seven floating hotels around the world. Like the Salt & Sill, a floating hotel in Sweden with a modern Swedish interior or the Yellow Submarine that is inspired by the movie ‘The hunt for red October’ with Sean Connery. The video above is from the River Kwai Jungle Rafts Resort in Thailand. This unique floating hotel is located in the jungle of Kanchanaburi and only accessible by boat. The hotel is built of wood and bamboo, the rooms are simple and have a veranda with hammocks. Take a look at the complete list here.
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
Spanish chef David Muñoz of restaurant DiverXo*** in Madrid and the urban hotspot StreetXo has announced to open a new branch of StreetXo in London in June 2014. David Muñoz traveled around the world and after several years of training in various kitchens in London he returned back to Madrid. His special street food dishes originate from his journey from London to South East Asia and is influenced of course by Spain. StreetXo restaurant in London will be open and airy with an open kitchen and a bar with an inventive cocktail selection. The menu will feature 12 to 14 dishes that change continuously.
Brasserie Baerle does not participate in the Restaurant Week . Neither in Dining with the stars, Dining with the rising stars, the Restaurant Festival and all other weeks. Opposite, they do organize their own ‘Brasserieweek’. No discounts but perks. During the ‘Brasserieweek’ (12 -26th of March) guests received an aperitif of the house. More interesting was that they served four of the best wines from their cellar for only 7 euros per glass. This Brasserieweek; the Brut Champagne Bollinger , Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2011 Lavantureux , Nuits -Saints -Georges 2011 Confuron and Chateau Olivier 2000 Grand Cru Classe , Pessac – Leogan. We do hear more restaurant owners complain that the participation of these weeks is so expensive and that the guest still expect you to cook at the same high standards. Brasserie van Baerle doesn’t complain but does address this matter in their own way. You can organize your own week if you have a pretty solid group of guests, like the Brasserie has, which you can achieve through a newsletter and social media. In 2014 the newsletter from the Brasserie is devoted to their wine alphabet. The announcement of the Brasserie Week fell under the E from Extras. ^Marjolein
March was a great start of spring, for us as guests and for your turnover as hospitality entrepreneur! In this edition you will find examples of extra services for your guests that you can offer without making large investments, because some gestures are so small that the guest barely registers it. With examples of the Hampshire hotel, Hotel Mitland, the Carlton Oasis and some inspiring, special sweets to be served with your cup of coffee or tea. Download the edition here.
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.
The Aromafork of Molecule-R gives a new dimension to a dish. A large part of what you taste is based on smell, the Aromafork adds an extra flavor to a dish through smell. The fork has a thin paper where you can drip one of the 21 different aromas on and will gradually gives a scent while you eat. Vanilla, lychee, mint, truffle, ginger and coriander are available. You can make surprising flavor combinations with the Aromafork and guests will sure be surprised!
A fresh South-African Sauvignon Blanc; not in a bottle but in a convenient portable bag. After earlier success in South-Africa, Atlantique Wines introduces the Sauvignon Blanc 6|7 bottled in a wine pouch of 1.5 liters in the Netherlands. The wine pouch is easy to cool and perfect for festivals or for the beach.
#Throwback Thursday. We started in August 2007 with horecatrends.com / hospitalitytrends.eu, in April 2009 we posted an item about Richard Branson who had decided to open a number of boutique hotels for the richest guests in the world. He already had an island that he rented regularly. Meanwhile, there are some wonderful locations! We saw the above shown video from 2011 and find it unfortunate that we are not yet so rich ;-). The video is a bit long but show some beautiful locations and it might inspire other hotel entrepreneurs. Also, check out the V’LOG (Virgin Limited Edition’s blogs) page on the website.
Leonie van Spronsen spotted the first cupcake ATM in New York by Sprinkles. The company already had cupcake ATM’s in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Dallas and grew to a respectable chain of shops since 2012.
Approachable inspiration, trends and highlights from 2025 that can be easily applied to your own business in 2026. A whitepaper to scroll through when you read more
We’ve been enjoying glorious summer weather for a few weeks now, and the popular seasonal drinks are already known. Mocktails, cocktails, spritz variations, rosé, and read more
Sex sells, even in the recession. This so-called ‘breastaurants’ are very populair in the United States and it even seems to be one of the fastest-growing restaurant categories. These are restaurants that features scantily-clad women as waitresses.
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Funny beer commercial of Hahn Superdry beer. Brewed for real men.
The international hotel chain Marriott launched a game for Facebook. You become the General Manager of your own hotel. With this game, which is similar to games such as FarmVille and CityVille, you earn points when your guests are satisfied, but you lose points when your guests leave your hotel unhappy. With this game, Marriott tries to increase interest in careers with the group and in hospitality in general.
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The Argentinian beer Norte came with ‘the Best Excuse Ever’. For every ordered beer, Norte donated 1 minute to a good deed, such as restore monuments and schools or cleaning up the park. For men an excuse to drink a beer, and for women to be proud of their husbands. Watch the movie!
Instead of tea in your teacup, wear these as a bracelet. The idea is pretty old, but it still looks nice. These juwelry are designed by Abigail MaryRose Clark and are available at the webshop Etsy. But be careful, these are some fragile bracelets.
The hotel chain W Hotels launched a free iPhone app for the guests. Through this app guests can search for hotel information such as photos, maps and weather information. But through this app guests can also listen to music, requesting the room service menu and contact the concierge.
Everything you want to know about Istanbul, you find out with Wizard Istanbul. This is a 24/7 crowdsourced online travel guide, where you can drop all your questions about Istanbul. Volunteers, like residents of the city or fellow travelers, can respond on your message and will give you nice and usefull tips.
The Amsterdam Okura Hotel developed an app for her guests. Through this app, the guests can contact the concierge, read the blog of Onno Kokmeijer (the chef of the restaurant), can collect suggestions for city trips en can even compose a jetlag program. This app is free of charge and available in the Apple iTunes store. A nice example of increasing the hotel service!
Easy to use at a gathering or reception; plate, glass and cutlery in one hand. So the other hand can shake hands or something else… The Mantara plate is designed by the Spanisch designer Gabriel Contino.
Repudo starts a digital treasure hunt for backstage passes and tracks at Pinkpop festival (the Netherlands). Together with Sony they place digital messages across the festival terrain that are only readable on the spot. The app for iPhone and Android combines GPS with a game element. Next to a variety of (sponsored) campaigns it’s also possible for users to leave messages for each other at any location. The platform is not mainstream yet but has potential for restaurants, hotels and other companies that want to introduce promotions with a game element.
McDonalds gives away free snacks with the pick ‘N play game. Smartphone owners in the neighbourhood of the interactive billboard could play the game directly online, so it’s not necessary to download an application. After choosing their favorite snack, they could play for a download with code that was refundable at the nearest restaurant.
At Hotel de Nymph in Brielle (the Netherlands), one could reserve a table for their “heavenly” 3-cours dinner between the first and fith of June (the days around Ascension day), and win a real “Ascension” in an hot air balloon for 2 persons.
Designed by Anagrama from Mexico, the interior from Theurel & Thomas Pâtisserie. A Macaron shop. At the websites from Anagrama and nsmbl some more inspirational pictures.
The Implanted Nature project was implemented in May 2011 by Luzinterruptus, a Spanish artistic group. The group created 50 tiny ecosystems, complete with plants, plastic animals, lovely lights and miniature greenhouses, and left them in the darkest and least plant-friendly parts of Madrid.
If home cooking fails, the pizza restaurant at the corner starts to get boring and you rather have fresh healthy food delivered, then it’s time for Gobble. This website shows all local restaurants and provides a healthy collection of neighbourhood cooks. A meal always costs ten dollars.
Sleeping in a cabin or caravan in a hotel in Berlin. The playground is only smaller than at the camping! For the die-hard camper? Or the one who can’t live without the luxury of a hotel?
Austrian chocolate maker Zotter offers products that are organic, fair trade, and very creative. Choco Shots are available on their website; syringes full of chocolatey liquid that comes in packaging designed to look like it’s real medicine. These strange but inventive chocolates come in seven different varieties including Raspberry Brandy, Mandarin, Whisky and Almond.
Honest Tea checked the honesty in America’s big city’s – watch the movie to see how they did it and the effect of the guerilla campaign.
In Sydney they thought of a special way to get everyone’s attention around World Enviroment Day. To show the people the impact of humankind on the environment they made a lifesize polar bear ice sculpture. The sculpture will melt away in several days and reveal a bronze skeleton. An interesting concept whereby the inner sculpture is revealed slowly.
The BabyNes made by Nestlé is a cup system for baby milk. Within a minute it produces a well temperatured bottle of nutritional milk. No more problems with dosing milkpowder and water. The cups won’t fit in any coffecup system, so you have to buy a new machine. An idea for restaurants next to highways?
Aude-vin introduced a new wine product, two types of wine sharing the name “Night Party”. Night Party comes in two tastes, “Pasonate Peach” and “Smooth Grapefruit”. The two drinks are based on the Viognier, Syrah and Grenache grapes, and are blended with natural grapefruit and peach aroma’s. Furthermore there aren’t any other additives and the percentage of alcohol is between 11 and 12%.
Spotted in a German Magazine, Der Feinschmecker, from the USA and simple but effective! Always the exact same slices!
The Dutch company PB international thought of a new way to keep legionnaires’ disease out of our bathrooms. The previous showerhead systems where expensive due to the high maintainance costs. The filters needed regular replacement. This new system is self cleaning and increases the livespan of the showerhead 25 times.
“Rollende keukens” or ‘Rolling Kitchen’ is a concept where music, food and beverages meet and are served from mobile kitchens. This event takes place from the 2nd untill the 5th of June at the Culturepark Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam. From haute cuisine stands to excentric pizzamakers or a barbecue motorhome, it can all be seen here. Entry is free of charge.
Students of the university of Amsterdam introduced the “boterhamvis”; thin slices of white fish as sandwichspread. It is healthier than most of the meat slices and it might be cheaper.
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