Slurping caviar | Boom, you crush the fish eggs in one go
21-12-2023
In English they call it a caviar bump – in Dutch: ‘Slurping caviar’. According to House of Caviar & Fine Foods: the trend of this year. Our colleague Leonie van Spronsen wrote a blog about it in May this year, unfortunately in Dutch. In this blog, she also gave another delicious recipe that should be served on hand, a combination of pata negra and foie gras. Both products must be at the right temperature; fold a slice of the pata negra and place a cube of foie gras on it!
Murder at the Grand Resort | Grand Resort Bad Ragaz launches a crime thriller radio play
19-12-2023
A murder case at the Tamina Therme, six suspicious guests and a master detective. This is the basis of the first fictional crime podcast from a Swiss luxury hotel. The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz launched this audio experience yesterday in Bad Ragaz. The five episodes of ‘Murder at the Grand Resort’ were produced in collaboration with the Winterthur-based company Podcast Schmiede and are based on the famous crime story ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ by Agatha Christie. The postcast is in the German language and is officially called “Mord im Grand Resort’, good to practice your German.😉
BECOME WHAT YOU WANT | Maritim Hotel Amsterdam is looking for pilots, musicians and F1 racers
19-12-2023
Maritim Hotel Amsterdam will open its doors next year. This week they launched a unique campaign to recruit team members. The hotel is going to help its employees to realize their dream job, even if it is outside the hospitality industry.
Contest for Holiday Cheermakers around the U.S. by Starbucks
18-12-2023
December 14, Starbucks started their search for five of the merriest homes in the U.S. – and the stories behind the people who bring cheer to their neighborhood during the holidays. This holiday season, Starbucks is teaming up with singer, songwriter and actress Christina Milian. From December 14 through Sunday, December 17, Starbucks invited everyone to share how their home’s holiday display brings cheer to their neighborhood. Everyone could submit an image of their very merry home to holidaycheermakers.com and share their story and inspiration for a chance to be selected as one of Starbucks Holiday Cheermakers. Five winners will receive Starbucks Cards for their neighborhood to enjoy.
The contest already closed but we think it’s a great idea to organize a contest like this as local shops! Even in the Netherlands where most Christmas decorations are modest in comparison to some streets in the USA!
The Mac & Cheese Nibblers of White Castle
18-12-2023
In America, Mac & Cheese is hugely popular and available with all kinds of ingredients, even with crab and lobster! Why this dish isn’t as popular here in Europe, we really don’t understand. Recently, we came across the Mac & Cheese Nibblers from White Castle, an American fast food chain. They are putting their beloved Sloppy Joe, Smoky Joe and Spicy Joe Sliders, along with the Mac & Cheese Nibblers, back on the menu during the winter months until February 4.
Their Nibblers look like our famous ‘bitterballen’ with a creamy content of macaroni and cheddar! We think a lot of Dutch people would love them as well!
New biodegradable cup for hot beverages | SOFi Hot Cup
15-12-2023
After four years of research and development, SOFi Products is excited to reveal its new 100% plastic-free, biodegradable cup for hot beverages that doesn’t require a separate lid. The SOFi Hot Cup features three flaps that fold together to form a spill-proof spout. This design eliminates the need for a separate plastic lid, saving businesses money, storage space and freight costs. The company’s breakthrough patent-pending locking mechanism also ensures unmatched spill protection, while its proprietary water-based coating eliminates soggy sips.
Parma Food Valley | UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
15-12-2023
Parma Food Valley is a unique land where food is the key to memorable experiences, as an example of effective promotion and enhancement of the area and its products of excellence. Creativity, excellence, future, and events are the pillars on which the Parma Food Valley brand rests, serving as a container of stories with food as protagonist.
Pleun’s Regenboogijsje and Horeca Vakbeurs Hardenberg join forces
14-12-2023
Pleun’s Regenboogijsje (rainbow ice cream by Pleun) will have a special place on the exhibition floor at the Horeca Vakbeurs Hardenberg. Pleun’s Regenboogijsje is an ice cream that draws attention to Batten disease (CLN3). Pleun is a 9-year-old girl from Deventer who suffers from this rare metabolic disease. Trade fair organiser Easyfairs of the Horeca Vakbeurs is keen to help raise awareness of the disease and reach even more hospitality outlets by providing an exhibition space during the Horeca Vakbeurs on 29, 30 and 31 January 2024 at the event location – Evenementenhal Hardenberg.
EVERY® Egg unveils liquid egg made without a hen at Eleven Madison Park
14-12-2023
Last week ingredient innovator EVERY did debut its flagship EVERY® Egg – the world’s first liquid egg made without the hen – at an exclusive dinner at world-renowned restaurant Eleven Madison Park in New York City. Made by yeast fermentation, EVERY Egg will be unveiled following nine years of product development by EVERY, which has raised over $233 million from notable investors including actress Anne Hathaway, AB InBev and Grupo Bimbo.
Domino’s® is Plowing for Pizza | Snowy roads shouldn’t get in the way of hot pizza
12-12-2023
As an innovative response to winter snow challenges, Domino’s Pizza in America is introducing the campaign, ‘Plowing for Pizza’. This particular initiative aims to ensure that, even under harsh winter conditions, hot pizza delivery will continue in certain zip code areas. The philosophy behind it: by contributing to snowplows from 20 cities, Domino’s Pizza is contributing to the ability to deliver quickly in wintry weather. In America, local businesses also often contribute to bits of road maintenance.
Winning Foods | Belgian startup starts trial of their ‘Lego for food’
11-12-2023
Winning Foods from Belgian entrepreneurial duo Jef Cavens and Frederik Van Dessel is launching their promising mealprep startup ‘Lego for food’ for their first customers. Winning Foods supplies frozen building blocks to assemble meals – ‘like Lego’. Currently, the first 30 test families are ordering Winning Foods packages and switching to this innovative and healthy lifestyle. Winning Foods is providing 16 building blocks, with 60 possible recipes and will expand their ‘Lego for food’ campaign on a larger scale in 2024.
Trends we spotted | Week 49
11-12-2023
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:
- An emission-free and energy-efficient coffee roasting line will be built in Belgium – a collaboration between Sucafina, Beyers Koffie and the Belgian cleantech company CEE.
- A recent study by the University of Wageningen researched the Dutch supermarket sector and reports a significant decrease in food waste.
- SVH (The Dutch foundation for professionalism in the catering industry) has announced the Top 3 Best Hospitality Training Companies and Best Trainers for 2023/2024.
- Fletcher Hotels, the largest hotel chain in the Netherlands, expands with the acquisition of Hotel Restaurant Oud London in Zeist.
- Mercure Hotels celebrates its 50th anniversary with the launch of ‘Discover Local: The Bucket List Edition’, a selection of 50 unique culinary experiences worldwide.
- Relais & Châteaux, a leading association of world-class chefs, has committed to protecting the critically endangered European eel by immediately removing it from their menus. #EELNOTANKYOU
- From Instagram: Christmas tree croissants as a festive delight; espresso Romano and gilded holiday splendor at Le Bristol Paris.
Enjoy reading!
After Dinner Sip | Extend the holidays and skip your dip
8-12-2023
On December 28 and 29, there probably isn’t a whole lot on your calendar. The days between Christmas and the turn of the year are generally days to recover from Christmas and prepare for a festive end to the year. To make these days even more fun you can go to ‘After Dinner Sip’ in Utrecht this year.
A party to make the dip between Christmas and New Year’s Eve more fun and one of the last parties before the start of the healthy or vegan January regime!
A new spin off by McDonald’s, CosMc’s
8-12-2023
In August of this year we read about the first rumours that McDonald’s would introduce a new spin off called CosMc’s. Now the news is in the open and they started to trial in the first location Bolingbrook, Illinois. It’s opening today! The concept is based on CosMc, a McDonald’s-craving space alien, who first appeared as a character in the late 80’s and early 90’s promotional advertisements. CosMc’s is a new small-format, beverage-led concept that’s inspired by nostalgia and powered by a menu of bold, refreshing beverages and tasty treats.
The Berkeley offers a gift-wrapping service this December
8-12-2023
The Berkeley launched its very own gift-wrapping service for Christmas shoppers as we enter the busiest time of the year. From gifts big to small, little and large, guests staying at The Berkeley will have access to the hotel’s Wrapper in Residence throughout the month of December.
A great small gesture for the guests of The Berkeley Hotel in London! Inspiration for luxury hotels in other shopping areas? And if you stay at this hotel. check out Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley most certainly if you have a sweet-tooth.
Taco Bell at Home | Limited-edition ‘Taco Bell SOS kits’ for students
8-12-2023
As finals season begins across college campuses nationwide, thousands of students find themselves without a Taco Bell® restaurant within walking distance – leaving them in distress when study session cravings hit. Recently Taco Bell at Home came to the rescue with the new ‘Taco Bell SOS Kits’, designed to give students on these campuses the mouthwatering Taco Bell goodness, even without a restaurant nearby. The kit features the newest Taco Bell at Home essentials from Kraft Heinz to recreate fan-favorite menu items.
Great idea to focus on students in their finals season!
During the holidays it snows fresh ‘Brammetjes’ at Bram Ladage
7-12-2023
During the holiday season everyone is always busy and part of it is last minute Christmas shopping in crowded and busy shopping streets. Bram Ladage, known for its delicious fries, is giving shoppers in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) a great surprise this December. “To surprise our Bram fans while shopping, we sprinkle the month of December with free ‘Brammetjes’ or in English Bramlets. To warm up while shopping, or to give away to family or friends under the Christmas tree. Convenient, because then you don’t have to go into the stores for other presents,” says Isabeau Ladage, responsible for the marketing.
Now on Airbnb | Spend the holidays at Santa’s Official Post Office
7-12-2023
Santa’s Official Post Office in Rovaniemi, Finland, is expected to receive over 30,000 letters daily from children and adults around the world this year. In a bid to attract novice elves, a magical cabin stay has been listed on Airbnb for guests – free of charge – to roll up their sleeves, lend a hand with the backlog of letters and experience the joy of the holiday season from the Arctic Circle. Booking for this special festive stay opens December 11 at airbnb.com/santa. Check out the exact time it opens in the article.
Classic unboxing experience at McDonald’s | Adult Happy Meal
5-12-2023
Last year McDonald’s gave their now adult fans the change to relive the feeling of opening a Happy Meal® box to see the surprises inside. The Cactus Plant Flea Market Box in the U.S. was the first Adult Happy Meal, this year they sparkle the nostalgic joy with the help of the visionary artist Kerwin Frost and some very special Buddies.
Heavenly dining in the unique church interior of restaurant G7 in Sittard
30-11-2023
The G7 restaurant in Sittard (in the south of the Netherlands), located in the Gruizenkerkje (church) from 1634, has a new interior. With a mix of old church elements, modern comforts and international allure, is the interior unique for Sittard and matches the cooking level and ambitions of the owners Danny Meijers and Rik Opstals better.
Great idea to eat out in a church during the festive month of December, otherwise I’m sure too but the ambiance in the church is probably magical now. There are many more little churches where you can eat, like for example: Noor in Groningen, Bunk Amsterdam and Utrecht (you can also stay overnight here) and, for example, De Kleine Toren in Baarland and many more.
Celebrate Christmas in a church | Bunk Amsterdam and Utrecht
30-11-2023
The festive season at Bunk Amsterdam and Utrecht is about to kick off. Both locations will host events and Christmas dinners throughout December, adapted to the festive time of year. You are guaranteed a warm, cosy and lively atmosphere at both Bunk’s churches. The original cultural program perfectly complements the December month and holiday period. What remains unchanged is the typically approachable Bunk vibe. Everyone is welcome to experience the creativity and sense of community.
Trends we spotted | Week 47
28-11-2023
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 article about among others:
- A beautiful cake; a great idea for shared dining dessert for your Christmas dinner.
- The Christmas tree of the Pulitzer hotel in Amsterdam has been decorated by ROKSANDA.
- We wonder when the first branch of BelChicken, a fast-growing Belgian chain, will open in the Netherlands.
- For the seventh edition of Hertog Jan Grand Prestige Vatgerijpt, the four variants pay tribute to the shared craftsmanship behind distinctive Latin American distillates.
- In the US, autonomous robotic kiosks powered by Blendid technology selling smoothies with Thor’s Skyr will soon open.
- Sodexo, a global leader in quality-of-life services, is expanding its partnership with Bear Robotics to facilitate patient care.
- Mandarin Oriental hotels are taking their wellness to the next level while promoting mindfulness, silence and a digital detox. On 13 December, they will celebrate their ‘Silent Night’.
Enjoy reading!
Latte Art socks | Heartwarming socks promotion from Bagels & Beans
27-11-2023
During the month December, Bagels & Beans in the Netherlands will be sharing their warmth in a very special way. In addition to bagels, coffee & happiness, they will now also literally share ‘warmth’. They will do so with something that many take for granted: a pair of socks.
For the heartwarming campaign ‘Who will you give warm feet? Share the warmth!” Bagels & Beans has joined forces with ‘Let’s do Goods’ and created unique Latte Art socks. For every pair of Latte Art socks sold, Bagels & Beans and ‘Let’s do Goods’ will donate a pair of socks to someone who desperately needs them. The goal is to work together with all bagel fans to provide as much warm feet as possible to homeless people in the Netherlands.
Update January 15: As a result of the December campaign ‘Who do you give warm feet? Share the warmth!’ Bagels & Beans has donated 5,000 pairs of new socks to homeless people in the Netherlands. In the week of January 8, the special donation socks were handed over to the Salvation Army locations in Utrecht, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
ROAM & Desert Inn Pub opens at Carlton Oasis Spijkenisse
24-11-2023
Reopening – During the grand opening of the completely renovated restaurant ROAM & Desert Inn Pub, Carlton Oasis in Spijkenisse welcomed guests and locals to a renewed hospitality experience where everyone is welcome.
Pop-up Vogue Café on national day against violence against women
23-11-2023
Vogue is opening Vogue Café for the first time ever in the Netherlands, in collaboration with ‘StandUp’ by L’Oreal Paris. The two are joining forces on National Day Against Violence Against Women to draw attention to street harassment. The café will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on November 25th and will feature special performances such as a performance by spoken word artist Zaire Krieger and singer Bente.
Restobar Krusta in Amsterdam - The total pizza and cocktail experience 
Restobar Krusta in Amsterdam - The total pizza and cocktail experience 
Restobar Krusta in Amsterdam - The total pizza and cocktail experience 
Restobar Krusta in Amsterdam - The total pizza and cocktail experience
