Trends we spotted | Week 19
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:
- Dominique Ansel, the creator of the Cronut®, is celebrating its 12th birthday with a special box of Cronut® Holes featuring a selection of flavours from over the years.
- We’re a bit late covering this, as the Za’co by &pizza was only available on May 5 — but we love the idea of the pizza and taco combination!
- the Pop-Up Playground in Amsterdam will be open every Thursday and Friday throughout May: Ping Pong Madness and much more!
- Buona in Chicago celebrates the tenth anniversary of its founding the ‘National Italian Beef Day’.
- Parkhotel De Wiemsel in Ootmarsum will continue as Fletcher Hotel starting June 1, 2025.
- Kamado Joe kicked off the BBQ season last Thursday with a clever and eye-catching response to breaking global news: the election of the new pope. Let’s start the BBQ season with this white smoke.
- The restaurant festival ‘Bite of Amsterdam’ is back! From June 13 to 15, the Amstelpark in Amsterdam transforms into a culinary paradise.
- As of early May, the organic bake-off bagels from Bagels & Beans are available in all 90 Ekoplaza stores across the Netherlands. #Bagellogical
- Asparagus season has officially begun, and Otomat is celebrating with one of their most beloved seasonal pizzas. The ‘Asparagus à la Flamande pizza’.
- This spring season, The Connaught is proud to be honouring Goodwoof, the ultimate dog’s day out at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, and introducing a brand new, limited-edition ‘paw-tisserie’ cake for the month of May.
Enjoy reading!
The Cronut turns twelve this year!
Dominique Ansel, the creator of the Cronut®, is celebrating its 12th birthday with a special box of Cronut® Holes featuring a selection of flavours from over the years. Their 2025 lineup includes: Stracciatella (Vanilla Chocolate Chip) & Salted Milk (October 2023); Raspberry & Lychee (February 2014); Salted Pretzel & Caramel (August 2019); Ube & Coconut (March 2022); Summer Berry (Strawberry, Blueberry, & Raspberry) & Crème Brûlée (April 2024).
We love how they’re celebrating their signature creation, and they made it a tradition to celebrate the birthday! Check out the reel via the link in the title.
The Za’co by &pizza | From April Fools’ Joke to menu hit for one day only
We’re a bit late covering this, as the Za’co by &pizza was only available on May 5 — but we love the idea! Washington, D.C.-based &pizza recently introduced the Za’co (combination of a pizza & taco), a creation that proves the brand isn’t afraid to think outside the (pizza) box. What started as an April Fools’ joke unexpectedly went viral on social media. Fans loved the concept so much that &pizza decided to make it a reality — if only for a day. According to Pizza Marketplace (link to their article in the title), the overwhelming demand led the brand to bring the Za’co to life. Want to see it for yourself? Check out their Instagram reel!
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Ping Pong Madness at Pilotenstraat in Amsterdam – POP-UP PLAYGROUND
Since April 10th, the Pop-Up Playground in Amsterdam has been open every Thursday and Friday throughout April and May. That means you’ve got only three more weeks to enjoy their games, fun activities, and relaxed atmosphere!
At the playground, you can dive into all kinds of ping pong (check out the reel by Nora Maria Rosier below), as well as pop-up games like Mini Golf Klub, Panda Beach, SJL (Dutch slang for Shuffleboard), and Tumbling Times. It’s a true real-life gaming experience! The concept has been created by Studio Stam – see the link in the title for more info and tickets.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Buona celebrates the tenth anniversary of their founding of ‘National Italian Beef Day’
In 2015, Buona (Bow’nuh), the family-owned business behind Chicago’s original Italian beef, petitioned to designate every Saturday during Memorial Day weekend as ‘National Italian Beef Day’. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this day on May 24 in 2025, Chicago-based Buona is offering free beef for a year to 10 Rewards members, special pricing, and contests for tickets to major Chicago events. The day has been founded by the Buonavolanto family in 2015, honouring the city’s original Italian beef pioneers. Throughout May, Buona Rewards members can enjoy exclusive deals, and a limited-edition Italian Beef Pizza will launch in partnership with Giordano’s. Buona, a family-run business since 1981, is committed to preserving the traditional, slow-roasted Italian beef recipe passed down through generations. Another great example of creating your special day, more details in their press release, link in the title.
Parkhotel De Wiemsel in Ootmarsum to continue as Fletcher Hotel starting June 1, 2025
Fletcher Hotels announces the acquisition of the renowned and luxurious Parkhotel De Wiemsel in Ootmarsum. This exclusive 4-star hotel, located in the picturesque landscape of Twente, will continue under the name Fletcher Parkhotel De Wiemsel starting June 1, 2025.
Fletcher Hotels will preserve the existing charm and quality of the hotel while integrating it into its extensive national network. All current staff members of Parkhotel De Wiemsel will remain employed, ensuring the familiar service for guests is maintained. Guests can also look forward to attractive packages and access to Fletcher’s nationwide amenities, including Fletcher Friend benefits and the BLUE Wellness concept.
Heavenly stunt by Kamado Joe | White smoke marks the start of BBQ season
Kamado Joe kicked off the BBQ season last Thursday with a clever and eye-catching response to breaking global news: the election of the new pope. Just five minutes after white smoke rose from the Vatican chimney, the message “white smoke = BBQ time” appeared on 350 digital screens across the Netherlands and in central London. In Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Qcars drove around with live smoke shows from a Kamado Joe grill. The campaign, developed with creative agency Fightclub, captured maximum attention at the exact moment millions were watching the Vatican. A great example of guerrilla marketing!
Restaurant festival ‘Bite of Amsterdam’ returns June 13–15
The festival season is here again, and restaurant festival ‘Bite of Amsterdam’ is back! From June 13 to 15, the Amstelpark in Amsterdam transforms into a culinary paradise. The day kicks off with breakfast in the Daylight Delight area, followed by a journey of discovery for food lovers in the Dining District and Little Luxuries, where they can sample small dishes from participating restaurants and explore refined flavors from top chefs.
True culinary enthusiasts can take a seat at the Chef’s Table for an exclusive look behind the scenes with chefs such as Tim Golsteijn (Bougainville*), Wilco Berends (De Nederlanden*), Tom Vinke (De Kromme Watergang*), Erik & Juliën van Loo (Parkheuvel**), Jasper Hermans (SAAM restaurant), and Jermain Rozario (De Rozario). Guests can also enjoy full-on fine dining at the Michelin Star Pavilion, where star chefs cook side by side in the heart of the Amstelpark. For those who prefer to cook at home, The Artisan Hall offers a treasure trove of unique ingredients to taste and take home. And for those wanting to explore even more flavors, a tasting tour is also available. For more information and tickets, visit their website (link in the title).
Bagellogical | Bagels & Beans now available at Ekoplaza in the Netherlands
As of early May, the organic bake-off bagels from Bagels & Beans are available in all 90 Ekoplaza stores across the Netherlands. The partnership between the two brands feels truly “bagellogical”: both are passionate about pure, honest products that contribute to a better world. The bake-off bagels – available in whole wheat and sesame – are sold in packs of four and can be easily finished at home, allowing bagel lovers to create their own little moments of joy. For Bagels & Beans, this is a great step toward making their iconic bagel more widely accessible, beyond their well-known espresso bars. Ekoplaza, the largest organic supermarket chain in the Benelux, sees the bagels as a flavorful addition to its range. Thanks to their unique preparation method – first steamed, then baked – consumers can enjoy the true taste and texture of a real bagel at home. A natural match built on shared values and taste. Link to the order page at Ekoplaza in the title.
Spring pizza with Asparagus at Otomat | Asparagus à la Flamande Pizza
Asparagus season has officially begun, and Otomat is celebrating with one of their most beloved seasonal pizzas. The Asperge à la Flamande pizza is back: a limited edition Notomat version (without tomato sauce) that appears on the menu each spring for a short time. Fans will instantly recognize it as an ode to the classic Flemish preparation—this time served on a pizza crust made with Duvel beer yeast. This unique pizza features white Belgian asparagus, hard-boiled egg, fresh parsley, Reypenaer XO (a cheese aged for 2.5 years), nutmeg, sour cream, and mousseline sauce. Bold and creative flavor combinations from this Belgian pizza chain!
The Connaught X Goodwoof | A canine collaboration in May 2025
This spring season, The Connaught is proud to be honouring Goodwoof, the ultimate dog’s day out at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, and introducing a brand new, limited-edition ‘paw-tisserie’ cake for the month of May.
For one month only the legendary Connaught Hound cake will transform into a limited-edition dachshund cake created by master pâtissier Nicolas Rouzaud and his team at Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught. Carefully crafted, the cake features a Gianduja milk chocolate mousse atop an orange pain de Gene sponge finished with Hukambi milk chocolate spray and an orange-vanilla chocolate glaze, to honour Goodwoof’s signature bold use of orange. The cake celebrates Goodwoof’s chosen breed for 2025: the daring dachshund, with 10% of proceeds going to Goodwoof’s charity partner, Wild at Heart Foundation. The dachsund cake is available to purchase at Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught from Tuesday 6th May until Saturday 31st May inclusive. Goodwoof takes place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May 2025 at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.
