BookDinners | New Dutch reservation platform for restaurants
25-9-2017
KHN (the Dutch entrepreneurial organization for Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés) announced a business initiative: a new reservations platform for and by restaurants: BookDinners. At this platform, restaurants will be in charge of their online relation with their guests, the guest data and the marketing activities. Restaurants participating will do this for free until mid-2018 and early 2018 BookDinners will be launched towards the Dutch consumer.
Trends we spotted | Week 38
22-9-2017
At Horecatrends we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. This week, amongst others about new truffles species that are discovered in Thailand, let’s hope they won’t be as expensive as the real deal! And about a new product in the Netherlands: Meat Your Veggies, part vegetables, part meat. Who knows, maybe they can persuade meat lovers to eat less meat!
If you like to read the whole article, click the title. Enjoy reading!
Eating a Golden Calf | This is possible at STAN & CO
22-9-2017
From the 20th of September, Utrecht will be the centre of Dutch Film Industry, during the ‘Nederlands Film Festival’. Restaurant STAN & CO, located in Utrecht, launched its own opening night at the 20th of September. They have created a special film menu which is offered during this Film Festival. The menu includes a ‘Golden Calf’ (the Dutch equivalent of the Oscar) as one of the main courses. Besides that, they’ve designed 3 cocktails which are linked with the movie industry: ‘Popcornstar Martini’, ‘Soldaat van Oranje’ (from the movie ‘Soldier of Orange’) and ‘Gooische vrouwen’ (a Dutch comedy/drama along the line of ‘Desperate Housewives’ or ‘Sex and the City’). When showing a movie ticket, guests will get two cocktails for the price of one.
Sir Hotels | Instagram as City Guide
22-9-2017
Sir Hotels launched five city guides using Instagram, an innovative manner to inform guests about the city and its must-visit places and areas. Each of the hotels in the collection has its own Instagram account, which has been transformed into an easy-to-use city guide including local favorites and hidden treasures; Sir Savigny’s Guide for Berlin, Sir Nikolai’s Guide for Hamburg, Sir Joan Guide for Ibiza, and Two Guides for Amsterdam; the sophisticated Sir Albert in ‘De Pijp’ and the hip Sir Adam located in the A’dam Tower in Amsterdam Noord.
Red King Crab | Taiko’s Ingredient of the Year
21-9-2017
Taiko, the modern-Asian restaurant of the Conservatorium hotel in Amsterdam announced her new ‘Ingredient of the year’. It’s the Kamchatka crab, also known as the Red King Lobster. Chef Schilo van Coevorden has created a completely new Omakase menu with as special ingredient the Kamchatka crab, which you can enjoy until the 18th of September 2018.
Starbucks Roastery | Cold-pressed Americano exploration flight
21-9-2017
Starbucks unveiled Cold-Pressed Espresso this September, a new patent-pending cold extraction process that will serve as the foundation for a new menu of sparkling beverages that will debut at the company’s premium, Starbucks Reserve® Roastery in Seattle. They even serve a cold-pressed Americano exploration flight, a great idea to get people to taste the cold-brew coffees. We spotted the first cold brew coffee in 2014 and since it’s growing extensionally but is still rather unknown to most of us. Great way to get familiar via a cold-pressed Americano exploration flight.
Ripple, plant-based milk | Will this change the dairy industry?
20-9-2017
Ripple launched a new line of dairy products in April 2016 powered by $44 million from Google and Silicon Valley venture capitalists. But what is Ripple? Milk made from simple yellow peas. It’s a plant-based milk, high in protein, low in sugar. Ripple has a good taste (it has a creamy texture which is something other dairy free products are missing, according to the company), it nourishes your body and leaves a small footprint on the planet. Ripple milk is nut-, gluten-, lactose- and soy-free and 100% vegan.
Canadian Poutine | At Tante Nel during the second ‘Speakfrietje’
20-9-2017
On Friday September 29th, haute friture snack bar Tante Nel introduces the original Canadian Poutine in the Netherlands. During the second edition of the popular ‘SpeakFrietje’ get-together they will present this Canadian dish. We’ve been to Toronto a while back, saw some examples of the dish but it reminded us to much of the Dutch ‘Kapsalon’! We didn’t even include it in our ‘Fries with….’ article. But big chance that hasn’t been the original Poutine with the right cheese like Tante Nel is going to serve!
Will you join us for a glass of Sherry? | International Sherry Week
19-9-2017
From 6 until the 12th of November 2017 the fourth edition of the International Sherry Week will be hosted, an initiative of the Consejo Regulador Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, (the Sherry Wine Council) in Spain. Last year we wrote about this festival that is the highlight of many Sherry fans around the world. The International Sherry Week brings together thousands of sherry-lovers in a multitude of events organized in more than 25 countries every year. The last couple of years nearly 6,000 Sherry activities have been organized. The Sherry Wine Council invites you to join them for a glass of Sherry.
The Standard | #RingYourRep
19-9-2017
We spotted a YouTube video about a public phone booth, placed outside The Standard High Line hotel in New York City, here they connect you directly to your political representatives. #RingYourRep, free of charge. In all five hotels of The Standard you can dial direct to Congress in your hotel room. All to make your voice heard on issues that matter to you. Don’t text or Twitter but dial direct.
Pickled Fred in Shoreditch | Pickles and ferments are hot
18-9-2017
Opened this August: Pickled Fred in Shoreditch London. A brand new bar and restaurant with a focus on pickles and ferments. The food menu is Asian-inspired and is made up of snacks, small plates and flatbreads and they have an innovative cocktail menu.
Trends we spotted | Week 37
15-9-2017
At Horecatrends we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. This week, amongst others about a hotel in Belgium where you can rent a goldfish to keep you company and about meat smoothies for those having trouble eating.
If you like to read the whole article, click the title. Enjoy reading!
Paradiso | Don’t judge a book by its cover
15-9-2017
Looking for a not too touristic hotspot in Barcelona is not easy. The metropolitan city that is known for its good restaurants and large number of visitors each year has more surprises to offer. The culinary part of the city, El Borne, offers enough to fill many evenings and stomachs. Don’t judge a book by its cover, Paradiso, the picturesque pastrami bar on the Carrer Rera Paula, is not known for its good food, but for its original cocktails and great ambiance. To enter this speakeasy you will need to go through a big refrigerator door with a guard in front. Behind that door you get to opportunity to enjoy ‘drinkable art’.
Michelin Stars – Tales From The Kitchen | Film premieres at the Culinary Zinema
14-9-2017
On September the 23th, ‘Michelin Stars – Tales From The Kitchen’ will be the opening film of the Culinary Zinema: Film and Gastronomy Section, at the 65th edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival. A documentary featuring amongst others Guy Savoy, René Redzepi, Alain Ducasse, Yoshimi Narisawa, Andoni Aduriz, Yoshimi Narisawa, Victor Arquinzoniz, Daniel Humm and many more of the biggest names from the culinary world. The showing of this documentary at the San Sebastián Film Festival will be followed by a dinner at the Basque Culinary Center, created by Latin America’s Best Female Chef Kamilla Seidler of restaurant Gustu in La Paz, Alain Weissgerber of restaurant Taubenkobel (**) in Schützen am Gebirge, and 3-Michelin-star holder Elena Arzak of restaurant Arzak in San Sebastián. We hope to see the film in the Netherlands and we wouldn’t mind to enjoy a great meal afterwards!
Lentein | Protein rich powder to enrich your shake or yoghurt
14-9-2017
Although it’s been on the market for quite a few years now, we want to pay a little attention to a protein-rich powder called Lentein. This product has the characteristics of duckweed (the green water lentils floating in water). Lentein doesn’t only have many health and environmental benefits, in the future it can also play a huge role in the way we eat and produce food. The plant has a ‘fresh, grassy’ taste and is eaten in parts of Asia and ideal for yogurt, juices & shake bars that work with superfoods.
Vegan Junk Food Bar | A Mecca for veggies
13-9-2017
Vegan Junk Food Bar is a Mecca for vegetarians. As the name suggests, the bar offers a menu filled with vegetarian burgers, sandwiches, fries and other snacks. The dessert is made in collaboration with Professor Grunschnabel, who is known for his gluten and soy-free ice cream. The Vegan Junk Food Bar is located in Oud-West in Amsterdam and a second location will open soon in de ‘Pijp’ on the Marie Heinekenplein.
New ‘Taiko Ingredient of the Year’ | Do you know which one it will be?
13-9-2017
Last year we wrote about ‘wasabi as Taiko Ingredient of the Year ‘. This year, Asian restaurant Taiko of the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam will announce a new ingredient in combination with a contest in which several prizes can be won. Inspired by the Chinese calendar, Taiko celebrates its birthday on Monday the 18th of September 2017; ‘Taiko New Year’. This is also the moment where chef Schilo van Coevorden will announce the new ‘Taiko Ingredient of the Year’ and launches its brand new menu. The ingredient will be processed in several special and highly original dishes on the menu for one year.
Instagrammable | Food created for the perfect picture
12-9-2017
We sometimes wonder whether it’s about the food or the picture you can make from it! We were in the process of making a list of highly Instagrammable food when we caught the daily dose of inspiration of Trendwatching this morning. Their inspiration this morning: The Tasty One Top. A Bluetooth-enabled, multi-function induction cooktop which can pan fry, slow cook and sous-vide, which will be on the market as from November. Created by Buzzfeed’s Tasty (online content) in partnership with co-creation community ‘startup’ First Build, supported by GE. Check out the video above which will show you how in the near future every consumer can create a perfect ‘Instagrammable’ meal with the Tasty One Top. We haven’t seen a better indication of the importance of Instagram and social media like Facebook.
But back to the list we have made of foods highly ‘Instagrammable’! If you like to read the whole article, click the title. Enjoy reading!
Cafés-Canton | French coffee from the Vosges
12-9-2017
Last week we were invited to taste Cafes-Canton coffee. A delicious ‘slow roast’ coffee by a small family company in the Vosges (France). Jan-Willem van Rijn, owner of Barista Café Haarlem, has made the ‘tasting notes’ of all their coffees. We tasted the espresso and although we are not real coffee connoisseurs, we could completely find ourselves in Jan-Willem’s final conclusion: an adult espresso. Nice to serve French coffee in a French restaurant!
Holy Guacamole Day | Tacos with Avocado at Taqueria Lima West
11-9-2017
Tacos with avocado, a ‘Cry of Dolores’ bell and even a ‘Cut Out Avocado’ photobooth, this Saturday (16 September) Taqueria LIMA West celebrates ‘Holy Guacamole Day’. With great love for the Mexican cuisine, LIMA’s chefs present their tacos with high-level guacamole in a street food way. You can find the Taqueria LIMA West in the ‘Foodhallen’ in Amsterdam West.
Accor hotels | Visual timeline of hotel rooms over the years
11-9-2017
AccorHotels have made a visual timeline of hotel rooms. A journey through time that shows the technological and interior developments within the hotel rooms in the past century. In addition, AccorHotels has made a provisory sketch of the hotel room of the future with #Hotelroom2030. Curious how they imagine this hotel room?
Trends we spotted | Week 36
8-9-2017
At Horecatrends we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. This week, amongst others about Ruby Chocolate, a new natural chocolate in the color pink has been introduced in China by Callebaut. And in South Africa a drama series has been distributed entirely on WhatsApp.
If you like to read the whole article, click the title. Enjoy reading!
Win a hotel (2) | Who has won it?
7-9-2017
The first of December 2016 we published an article about the contest of the YUP hotel. Through the website www.wineenhotel.be, you could enter the contest to win the whole hotel for a day and who you would like to invite as guests. The winner of the contest of the YUP Hotel*** in Hasselt is Lien Verwimp and not the person who entered the contest with the wish to mess up the hotel with a bunch young people. The latter we understand! Tomorrow (September 8 2017) Lien receives her guests and we wish them a great get-together!
Win a hotel | How did Lien Verwimp win?
The YUP Hotel received no less than 822 entries for this contest. Based on the nicest, most original answers and stories, the YUP team voted for the best story from Lien.
Lien’s winning answer: “I have recently returned from a world trip through Australia and Asia for several months. A great experience but of course, I have missed a lot of people during that period. I thought I could see them all within a short period of times, but it wasn’t that easy. Most of my friends are between 22 and 30 years old and have a busy schedule. So, I still haven’t seen everybody. Additionally, I have a lot of different groups of friends which doesn’t make it easier! In addition, part of my family lives in Italy and I haven’t seen them yet either. Creating a moment that brings everyone together in one place would be an ideal ‘welcome back’ opportunity! This action by YUP Hotel Hasselt is therefore an ideal moment for me. The best Christmas gift, I could wish for. Even if I don’t win the contest: really great idea!”
Similar answers/stories submitted to the contest are: YUP as a wedding venue or as a venue to ask a partner to marry. A mailman entered with the wish to invite everyone where he delivers the mail or overworked mothers who thought they deserved some me-time.
At the Horecava | The Dobla Pastry Battle Edition NL 2018
7-9-2017
The Dobla Pastry Battle’ is an international battle that will be held in Amsterdam for the first time, during the upcoming Horecava. This pastry competition will be organized on Thursday January 11th in collaboration with the Dutch ‘Gastronomisch Gilde’. Participation in the competition is open to all chefs and pastry chefs who have passion, affinity and the right skills to survive 3 rounds of pastry assignments of as they call it ‘fights’. A new contest on the Horecava for which Dutch participants can register now!
XOmarshmallow | Marshmallow café full of sweets
6-9-2017
Hot chocolate, marshmallows and a campfire creates a lot of nostalgic feelings for many people living in America. At XOmarshmallow in Chicago, people go back in time, but with a contemporary twist. The marshmallows from the past combined with the desires and flavours of today. What about champagne or bourbon marshmallows, or did you ever eat an ‘monut’. XOmarshmallow is now open after a succesfull Kickstarter crowdfunding.