Public Sauna Culture comes to New York City with ‘Culture of Bathe-ing’-Festival
6-2-2026
Beginning February 12 and running through March 1, 2026, ‘Culture of Bathe-ing’ will transform Domino Park on the Williamsburg waterfront into the site of an unprecedented bathing experiment. The festival marks the first event of its kind in New York City and the largest sauna village ever staged in the United States.
2 minutes read
VITAL gives “Food and Whatever” extra meaning with the launch of the VITAL GYM
6-2-2026
VITAL, the school catering formula from FHC Formulebeheer, gives the slogan “Food and Whatever” extra meaning. VITAL already stands for tasty and healthy food in balance, so that pupils and teachers can get the best out of themselves every day. With the launch of the VITAL GYM, VITAL is expanding that balance: in addition to healthy food, exercise will take on a more prominent role.
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Montblanc and Claridge’s launch ‘Love Letters from London’ by Charlie Child
5-2-2026
This Valentine’s week, Montblanc and Claridge’s come together to celebrate the art of handwritten romance with ‘Love Letters from London’. To mark the launch of the new Meisterstück Romeo & Juliet writing instruments, Montblanc invites everyone to put pen to paper and share heartfelt messages with the people who make life meaningful. For the first time ever, the legendary Mayfair hotel Claridge’s partners with Montblanc to present ‘Love Letters from London’, appointing British artist and poet Charlie Child as Claridge’s first-ever Poet-in-Residence during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day (10th–13th February 2026).
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 5
3-2-2026
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:
- Airbnb has partnered with chef-led meal delivery service CookUnity to provide prepared meals through Airbnb Services, aiming to simplify dining for travellers and local residents.
- Thompson Hotels collaborates with BERO to expand non-alcoholic offerings and bar programming.
- McDonald’s Germany launches new platform, for everyone who is really hungry.
- AMMOS AMAALA is the first resort of the AMMOS group in the Middle East, located in Saudi Arabia. The resort will open this spring.
- Pizza Hut Dubai hosted a fine-dining Supper Club nobody saw coming.
- ALL Accor has recently announced the launch of its ALL Accor app in ChatGPT designed to enrich the experience of its growing customer base.
- McDonald’s in the US debuts exclusive McNugget® Caviar just in time for Valentine’s Day – at no cost to fans.
- Restaurant Nela in Amsterdam introduces the Family Friendly Affair brunch on Sundays.
- Bagels & Beans has turned 30. What started in 1996 as a quirky café on Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam has grown over the past thirty years into a unique franchise formula with almost 90 locations throughout the Netherlands.
Enjoy reading!
The HEINZ KegChup | The first-ever keg of HEINZ Ketchup!
3-2-2026
Just in time for the Big Game, HEINZ is cracking open a bold new way to enjoy America’s favorite condiment. Introducing the HEINZ KegChup: the first-ever keg filled with unmistakably rich HEINZ ketchup. Inspired by a solution the beer industry has relied on for decades to ensure fans never run dry, the HEINZ KegChup makes sure watch parties are never short on the crowd’s favorite condiment, because an empty ketchup bottle might be an even bigger party foul than a dry keg.
1 minute read
abc kitchens introduces a seasonal vegetable bouquet for Valentine’s Day
2-2-2026
For the first time this Valentine’s Day, abc kitchens has elevated a classic romantic gesture. In place of flowers, guests will be presented with a seasonal vegetable bouquet, a one-off creation curated by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Executive Chef Ben Boeynaems. Gifted to every table booked on the evenings of 13th February and 14th February, each bouquet is paired with a take-home recipe from Ben, bringing a taste of abc home and extending celebrations beyond the restaurant.
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Restaurant JAQ celebrates Valentine’s Day with an exclusive dinner Inspired by Atelier JAQ
30-1-2026
On Saturday, February 14th, Restaurant JAQ in Rotterdam will host an exclusive 3-course Valentine’s dinner featuring cava and specially crafted cocktails. During the evening, guests will be immersed in the artistic world of Atelier JAQ. This special night is dedicated to love, creativity, and gastronomy, offering a refined experience for couples or friends who wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a unique way.
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From Brussels to Antwerp | Fernand Obb puts the croquette centre stage
30-1-2026
The Brussels-based delicatessen concept Fernand Obb will open a new location in Antwerp in the spring of 2026, on the corner of Paleisstraat and Anselmostraat. The popular and approachable concept by chef-founder Cédric Mosbeux, known for its award-winning artisan grey shrimp croquettes and Belgian classics, will thus gain a third location, featuring its own Antwerp twist.
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Trends we spotted | Week 4
27-1-2026
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:
- Did you know that 1 in 8 Americans has worked at a McDonald’s restaurant at some point? McDonald’s in the US taps into this insight with McDonald’s Arches & Ambition, the 1 in 8 Mentorship Program.
- Bouldering is also fairly popular in the Netherlands. Recently, we came across two new variations: moving climbing walls.
- Happy Doggo: squeaky dog toys shaped like fries, sandwiches and burgers at McDonald’s France. Likely a hit with many Dutch dog lovers and McDo fans as well!
- Burger King US introduced The Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper as part of its ‘Whopper by You’ initiative.
- McDonald’s Germany launched a new vegetarian platform with the introduction of five plant-based products: Veggie lovers welcome.
- On Saturday 31 January, Stooges’ Funhouse opens in Het Industriegebouw on Rotterdam’s Goudsesingel. This will be their second location in Rotterdam.
- From February 26 until the next edition of De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE, a musical get-together, hits the road. Every Thursday evening, a different traditional pub hosts a night full of music, friendship and atmosphere: Amstel LIVE in the pub.
- Van Gelder Netherlands, producer of plant-based products, launched a unique range of seven fully plant-based sauces and dressings for the foodservice market during HORECAVA 2026.
Enjoy reading!
Pizza Hut’s new un-Italian pasta campaign | Approved by the toughest food critics: Italians?
26-1-2026
A funny campaign by Pizza Hut in Dubai! They recently launched pasta – and not just any pasta. According to the company their pasta is creamy, cheesy, overloaded with sauce and proudly breaking every Italian culinary rule. The brand even calls it un-Italian pasta. Knowing this would never win over traditional Italians, Pizza Hut decided to do something bold: challenge Italian identity itself.
1 minute read
Longevity & Wellbeing Club Surrenne launches retreats at the Maybourne Riviera
26-1-2026
Surrenne, the wellness and longevity club founded in London and located within The Emory hotel in Belgravia, is launching a new series of four-night transformational retreats at Surrenne Riviera, set within the clifftop Maybourne Riviera on the Côte d’Azur. Extending beyond private membership and hotel guests, the retreats bring Surrenne’s signature philosophy—combining science, ancient wisdom and nature—to a wider audience.
We recently wrote about ‘Longevity Everyday’ by Novotel, both examples of which show that the concept of longevity can be interpreted broadly!
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Novotel introduces ‘Longevity Everyday’ | Wellbeing as standard
23-1-2026
Novotel, part of Accor, presents ‘Longevity Everyday’, a global strategy with which the hotel brand aims to structurally integrate wellbeing, vitality and sustainability into the daily experience of travellers. With more than 600 hotels in over 60 countries, Novotel is responding to the growing focus on physical and mental health while travelling. Whereas many wellbeing programmes are complex or exclusive, Novotel makes healthy choices practical, accessible and applicable.
2 minute read
Young Poelzicht talent given the spotlight | Wine Bar & Bistro Petit Caveau has opened in Tiel
23-1-2026
Since January 7 2026, the Betuwe region in the Netherlands has gained a new culinary hotspot: Wine Bar & Bistro Petit Caveau in Tiel. Located in one of the oldest listed buildings in the historic city centre at Korenbeursplein 1. Edwin Muns, an experienced entrepreneur joins forces with young talents Camilo van Drumpt Sanstra and Olivier Landewers from Brasserie Poelzicht. The result is an intimate venue where fresh Mediterranean bistro dishes, genuine hospitality and a distinctive wine list come together.
2 minutes read
Reservation system FRANK conquers the top of Dutch gastronomy
9-1-2026
Even before its official launch, the Dutch reservation system FRANK has already gained a prominent position within Dutch gastronomy. While the system will officially debut on 12 January 2026 at the Wine Professional trade fair in Amsterdam, numerous leaders in Dutch gastronomy are already working with the software. Its focus on AI and seamless integration of reservations and guest data already make FRANK the new standard for hospitality.
2 minute read
New Dutch brand Bo&Co introduces locally produced organic syrups
9-1-2026
The new Dutch brand Bo&Co is introducing a range of locally produced organic syrups, developed for professional use in the hospitality and retail sectors. The brand is launching with five flavours: Lemon, Strawberry, Raspberry, Lemongrass–Ginger and Elderflower, made with carefully selected organic ingredients. The official market launch of Bo&Co will take place during Horecava 2026.
1 minute read
Inspiration for 2026, from 2025
8-1-2026
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 need ideas.
You can download the whitepaper for free on the next page.
Mastercard Hotelnacht 2026 | The Art of Balance
8-1-2026
On January 17 & 18, during the Mastercard Hotelnacht (Hotel Night) Amsterdam, the city will revolve around wellness, energy and unique hotel experiences. During Mastercard Hotelnacht, the most beautiful hotels in the city open their doors to residents of Amsterdam, offering a weekend full of one-night-only experiences. Visitors from outside Amsterdam can also take part in the experiences. The 2026 edition is all about The Art of Balance: the perfect mix of wellness and celebration, calm and excitement – in true Amsterdam style. Hotelnacht is the perfect opportunity for residents of Amsterdam and other curious visitors to experience the city in a completely new way.
2 minutes read
Sweetened, lactose-free whipped cream by Milram
6-1-2026
We start 2026 with an article about an innovative, new product: the sweetened, lactose-free whipped cream by Milram that will be introduced at the Horecava in Amsterdam. The foodservice market continues to evolve as consumer preferences change and demand grows for dietary options such as lactose-free and lower-sugar products. Even in seemingly mature product categories, there is room for innovation. With this new whipped cream Milram demonstrates how quality, convenience and market insight come together.
2 minutes read
Celest opens the sky bar to the public
22-12-2025
From January 2nd, Celest’s sky bar will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings. Enjoy cocktails, bites and breathtaking views of the Rotterdam skyline at no extra cost. This follows the reopening, which will be festively celebrated with a New Year’s Eve party on December 31.
2 minutes read
Soenil Bahadoer is the first Dutch chef to join the Dom Pérignon Society
22-12-2025
Dom Pérignon is proud to announce that chef Soenil Bahadoer has become the first Dutch chef to join the Dom Pérignon Society. With his admission, Bahadoer joins a select international collective of chefs, artists and creative innovators who share the core values of the champagne house of Dom Pérignon: craftsmanship, imagination and the pursuit of perfection within the limits of a single harvest year.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 51
19-12-2025
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:
- Spotted in New York: the push pop sushi van Suka Sushi!
- Horta Grand Café & Art Nouveau Room in Antwerp, are celebrating their 25th anniversary, marked among other things by the launch of a unique coffee table book.
- Leonardo Hotels is expanding its portfolio in the Benelux with the dynamic lifestyle brand NYX Hotels. The former Eden Hotel will be divided into a Leonardo hotel and NYX Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandt Square.
- Frites Atelier, the innovative fast casual concept from Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman, opened its first Frites Atelier London location on Saturday December 13.
- Early December, Hotel Des Indes in the Hague, officially opened the Anna Pavlova Champagne Lounge and unveiled the Pavlova Christmas tree. Anna Pavlova was a famous ballerina and regular guest of the hotel. Beautiful theme!
- Chipotle has teamed up with travel brand BÉIS, to launch an exclusive travel essentials collection inspired by Chipotle’s iconic packaging. Béispotle: ‘The To-Go Collection’.
- Last weekend, PoPPo, a hyperlocal micro-mall, was launched in Amsterdam North in the 600 m² former Blokker building.
- A Pizza Wrap-Up by Domino’s Pizza Belgium, highlighting, among other things, which city consumes the most pizzas from the brand and which pizza is the most popular in Belgium.
- Early December, Albron opened a coffeecompany location at Amsterdam UMC. It is the first coffeecompany outlet in a hospital environment.
- On Monday, December 15, the Top 50 best Italian restaurants were announced, including a separate Top 50 for restaurants outside Italy. Restaurant Aroma Italian Fine Dining from Vaassen once again earned a place on this prestigious list, ranking 48th. Restaurant Pianeta Terra in Amsterdam ranked 31st.
Enjoy reading!
What’s your breakfast strategy?
15-12-2025
In September 2025, I was quoted in a BBC Travel article on changing breakfast experiences. The article, titled “Is it time to retire the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet?”, explores how breakfast habits around the world are evolving — and which traditions are here to stay. Some trends are obvious, such as the growing focus on healthier dishes and products. Others, like the continued desire for abundance resulting in waste, are more open to debate. This article reflects our perspective on breakfast strategy. ^Marjolein van Spronsen
3 minutes read
SMAKFEST in Stockholm | One-night-only immersive food festival in an IKEA store
15-12-2025
On December 9, Stockholm experienced IKEA like never before. One thousand IKEA Family members who secured a sold-out ticket, streamed into the darkened Kungens Kurva store to take part in SMAKFEST, a one-night-only immersive food festival/experience. Think celebrating the 40th birthday of IKEA’s iconic meatball, dining in the dark, a FRAKTA bar, a human kaleidoscope, spoon-fed tastings delivered through a tiny peephole, live music, and much more.
An in-store food festival filled with inspiring and edible design and art ideas.
2-minute read
Trends we spotted | Week 50
12-12-2025
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:
- At exit 22 of the A28, McDonald’s Zwolle – De Lichtmis A28 has officially opened. The restaurant is located in the same building as the renovated roadside restaurant De Lichtmis in the east of the Netherlands.
- Radisson Hotel Group is expanding its European portfolio with two new properties, focusing on accessible design hotels and quality resorts. Prize by Radisson Osnabrück and the Baltic View Resort & Spa in Międzyzdroje Poland.
- Could conchas become the new hype like croissants?
- New added sugar warnings on menu’s at chain restaurants in New York City. Done with a new icon.
- 7-Eleven is helping the ‘tamago sando’ gain popularity in the U.S. with its new Japanese-style egg salad sandwich.
- Crispy chili oil popular even in our Dutch traditional dish the oliebol.
- Lidl US is adding a playful twist to the holidays with its first-ever holiday meal deal and a quirky fragrance collaboration, resulting in Eau de Croissant.
- Rémy Martin, the renowned French cognac house, is celebrating Lunar New Year with a limited-edition collaboration with Chinese artist Xue Song. Rémy Martin also introduced a Year of the Horse Old Fashioned, offering a festive twist on the classic cocktail. Recipe in the article.
Enjoy reading!
ibis hotels launches ‘The Go Getters’ series
11-12-2025
ibis, the leading global economy hotel brand, recently announced the launch of ‘The Go Getters’, its first-ever social miniseries. The innovative content series marks a bold move by a global hospitality brand into the fast-growing world of miniseries, ultra-short, vertical video story series that have captivated hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. If you’ve ever tried planning a group trip, ibis’ new social miniseries The Go Getters may feel strikingly familiar. The brand’s first foray into vertical storytelling blends creator energy with real travel mishaps, resulting in a surprisingly bingeable experience.
2 minutes read
Hotelschool The Hague presents ‘The AI Power Gap’ research - Hospitality Lags Behind
