Trends we spotted | Week 12
160 years of hospitality celebrated amongst others with an 't Noorden Blond Beer
A special Easter egg at Claridge’s ArtSpace Café created by chef Thibault Hauchard
Easter by Cedric Grolet at The Berkeley in London 
Afternoon Tea at Jean-Georges at The Connaught in London
HEINEKEN has surpassed the 1,500 0.0 tap points mark in the Netherlands
The first direct booking app for hotels launches in ChatGPT by Lighthouse
Design & Wijn launches Dutch fortified wine - Portique
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:
- Padbol, an energetic Argentine game that combines padel and football on a fenced-off court.
- Lighthouse is launching the first ChatGPT app for direct hotel bookings, featuring AI-driven, reliable hotel information.
- 24H Chefs, a biennial initiative with Gault&Millau, sees top chefs cook for 24 hours to raise funds for War Child and the Prinses Máxima Centrum.
- Bagels & Beans is expanding to nearly 100 locations, preparing for international expansion and appointing Carolien Vergouwe as managing director.
- The ‘Wissel ’ns Wat!’ campaign encourages the Dutch to make plant-based choices and offers a newsroom on the protein transition.
- Design & Wijn, in collaboration with Wijngoed Gelders Laren, is launching Portique, a Dutch port-style wine in a limited edition of just 438 bottles.
- Le Pain Quotidien is opening a location at Designer Outlet Roermond, thereby expanding its presence in the Netherlands.
- HEINEKEN has reached 1,500 alcohol-free tap points in The Netherlands and is promoting responsible 0.0 draught beer consumption at sports clubs.
- Het Noorden celebrates its 160th anniversary with Noorden Blond, a speciality beer brewed by Brouwerij Wentersch.
- Nine new properties join the global Relais & Châteaux collection.
Enjoy reading!
Padbol | The sport that combines football and padel
Padbol, which originated in Argentina in 2008, is a dynamic blend of padel and football. It is played in pairs on an enclosed glass court measuring 10 by 6 metres. Players use their feet, chest and head, but never their hands, to hit the ball over the net, whilst the walls, just like in padel, play an active role in the game. The result is a fast, energetic and unique game that combines technique, reflexes and teamwork. It might be a good idea to make padel courts available for this; we can imagine that footballers would really enjoy this game! Spotted in a reel by Menace Padel, link to their Instagram in the title.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
The first direct booking app for hotels launches in ChatGPT
Lighthouse, an AI-focused commercial operating system for the travel and hospitality industry, has launched The Hotels Network app, the first direct hotel booking app available inside ChatGPT. The goal is to give hotels a direct presence within AI-driven trip planning and reduce reliance on third-party intermediaries. The app provides verified, hotel-supplied content, including accurate descriptions, real images, and live rates, often with competitive pricing. Travelers can compare options in conversation and book directly through the hotel’s website, creating a more transparent and direct booking experience.
24 hours of non-stop cooking at high level | 24H Chefs
24H Chefs is a biennial charity initiative organized with Gault&Millau. On 6 + 7 June 2026, Dutch top chefs will cook continuously for 24 hours to raise funds for War Child and the Prinses Máxima Centrum Foundation, both dedicated to improving children’s lives and futures. The event begins at 18:00 in Ciel Bleu at Hotel Okura Amsterdam. Chefs rotate throughout the night in a continuous culinary marathon. New this year is the Kitchen Party, from 01:00 to 04:30, featuring a walking dinner, DJs, and an informal atmosphere blending gastronomy, music, and interaction.
24H Chefs supports both War Child and the Princess Máxima Centre Foundation
Bagels & Beans expands and welcomes a new managing director
In its 30th anniversary year, Bagels & Beans is expanding to nearly 100 outlets and preparing for international growth. On 1 May, Carolien Vergouwe will take over as managing director from Lizan van der Pol, who is handing over the reins after more than 17 years. Since its acquisition by Vital Food Group at the end of 2022, Bagels & Beans has further established itself as a recognisable brand on the Dutch high street. The organisation stands on a solid foundation with an experienced management team and a clear strategy. The franchise formula remains focused on growth, optimisation and professionalisation, both within the Netherlands and beyond.
Bagels & Beans continues to grow – Lizan van der Pol (left) moves on – Carolien Vergouwe is the new director
New at the Dutch campaign ‘Wissel ’ns Wat!’ | Newsroom on the protein transition
The new campaign ‘Wissel ’ns Wat!’, the successor to National Meat & Dairy-Free Week in The Netherlands, aims to encourage the Dutch to make plant-based choices more often throughout the year. The campaign demonstrates how small changes on the plate contribute to a more sustainable food system and seeks to further promote the protein transition.
The number of studies and initiatives on plant-based proteins from the worlds of science, business, retail and government is growing. To present these developments in a clear and organised way, ‘Wissel ’ns Wat!’ has launched a newsroom where journalists and editorial teams can find up-to-date information and inspiration on the protein transition.
Design & Wijn launches Dutch fortified wine | Portique
The Amsterdam wine shop Design & Wijn, founded by designer Rose Groot-Walhof and wine expert Diederik Walhof, has launched its first fortified wine: Portique, a limited-edition Dutch port-style wine. The wine was developed in collaboration with Wijngoed Gelders Laren and is among the last bottles from this Achterhoek winery, whose founders have announced their retirement. The vineyard, managed for 19 years by Diana van der Biezen and Gert Jan Voortman, produced not only Coulisse wines but also collaborated with, among others, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant De Librije. Only 438 bottles of Portique have been produced.
Le Pain Quotidien expands to Designer Outlet Roermond
Le Pain Quotidien, the Belgian restaurant and bakery concept, is expanding its presence in the Netherlands with a location at Designer Outlet Roermond. The franchise works with partners who share its core values of quality, sustainability and conviviality. The new location is being developed in collaboration with Roy Janssens and Manou Dolmans, who have over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and expertise in strategic management. The concept is known for its informal atmosphere, artisan bread and a menu featuring organic, seasonal dishes. Following successful locations in Maastricht and Amsterdam, Le Pain Quotidien is actively seeking a new location in The Hague.
Signing for the first Le Pain Quotidien at Designer Outlet Roermond
HEINEKEN breaks the 1,500 0.0 tap points barrier in the Netherlands
HEINEKEN Netherlands has reached the milestone of 1,500 alcohol-free tap points at VV Kloetinge football club. The number of 0.0 tap points in the Netherlands is growing steadily; since 2022, the volume of 0.0 draught beer has risen by 25 per cent annually, and is expected to reach 34 per cent by 2026. Over a quarter of 0.0 draught beer is consumed at sports clubs, and 20 per cent of sports canteens now offer Heineken 0.0 or Affligem Blond 0.0 draught beer, compared to 13 per cent in 2022. HEINEKEN is working with partners such as the KNVB and NOC*NSF to promote responsible alcohol consumption at sports clubs.
160 years of Het Noorden celebrated with its own special beer | “Noorden Blond”
Het Noorden in Aalten, The Netherlands, is celebrating its 160th anniversary with a special beer, Noorden Blond, brewed by Brouwerij Wentersch in Winterswijk. The spicy, aromatic 5.5% blonde beer is now available in the Grand Café and on the terrace. Het Noorden has been in existence since 1866, when a pub was opened for travellers at the site near the mill. Over the course of 160 years, it has grown into a well-known meeting place in Aalten and the region, where generations come together to eat, have a drink and share social moments.
Sharing nine new properties joining the Relais & Chateaux global collection
Three new members in the US: deep in the forests of Georgia at @worldofquercus; find serenity in wild Arizona backcountry at @castlehotsprings; or embrace life at altitude in the Colorado Rockies at @lumierebydunton. In Mexico, there’s @elcorteshotel in Mexico City, a newly opened hotel in one of the capital’s most desirable districts. And in Tulum, @jashitatulumhotel emerges from the lush vegetation and the stunning beach of Soliman Bay. Further south still, discover @pranamayaresort, their first member in Belize, where just 17 villas boast their own stretch of sand on the Caribbean.
Over in Europe, relax in this contemporary take on a traditional Turkish village, surrounded by vineyards, at @keyurla. And in the heartland of France, @hotelsaintgeorges_megeve mixes its colourful, contemporary charms with the traditions of Alpine life. And a standalone restaurant @lafourchettedesducs that offers acclaimed dishes in a historic setting, the embodiment of its Alsace heritage. Check out their website in the link in the title or check out the reel below.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
