Time-saving check-in at Accor Hotels
2-5-2014
Accor Hotels introduces its newest worldwide online check-in-system where guests will save time during their arrival and departure. After the guest made his booking (via the website, mobile application or phone) he is supposed to check-in online two days before arrival. On the day of arrival the guest will receive a SMS with the room confirmation, practical information and a notification that the key is ready. The guest only has to pick up the key at the reception, to check-out the guest needs to give the key back to the reception and will receive an invoice by email. At the end of 2014 the system will be implemented at more than 30% of the hotels.
Pizza Taco
1-5-2014
Boston Pizza has launched a new marketing campaign named ‘Pizza Game Changers’. Through the new website, pizza lovers can order some new menu items and they can vote for new pizza innovations. Some innovation ideas are pizza mints, a pizza cake and a pizza protector. One of the new menu items is the Pizza Taco. The Pizza Taco is a small pizza available in chicken/bacon or pullet pork and is shaped into a taco shell. The pizza taco shell is filled with salad, vegetables and sauce. Perhaps a lot easier to eat. The new menu items are available until 1 June.
Restaurants with a blend of history
1-5-2014
Thrillist.com gives an overview of 21 restaurants and bars converted from different buildings. Like ‘The Airplane Restaurant’, a restaurant located in a 1953 US Air Force Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker. Or the ‘Crop Bar and Bistro’, a gigantic 1925 bank with marble columns rebuilt into a restaurant with high-end dishes and an open kitchen. The video above is from ‘The Liberty’ in Boston. Previously this building was a gigantic prison, built in 1851. After a massive renovation, the building converted into a hotel with five chic restaurants and bars. Take a look at the complete list here.
Donate oversized food portions
1-5-2014
It often happens that restaurant guests not eat their whole dish, because the dish was larger than they expected. The German Food Bank ‘Düsseldorf table’ and agency ‘Ogilvy & Mather Germany’ launched the campaign ‘All you Can Eat’. Participating restaurants can place a sticker on the menu next to the dishes that tend to be served larger than guests can estimate. Guests have the option to choose for a smaller portion at the same price. The saved money will be donated to the food bank.
Vega pop-up about to sprout in Amsterdam
30-4-2014
Friedjof Kempenaar initiated a vega pop-up restaurant in Rotterdam on 11, 12 and 13 April and is now aiming for our capital. Although he is not a vegetarian, he is intrigued by cooking without fish and meat and is convinced that the available vegan dishes in restaurants deserve an uprgade. While he is looking for a location in Amsterdam to sit 70 people per evening, you can delight yourself with an impression of the latest edition here.
Online menu
30-4-2014
It’s actually strange in the hospitality industry; there is quite a stir around guest taking pictures of their dishes. Some chefs and their guests are annoyed by the flashes of the cameras, others go a step further and give guests the opportunity to shoot a perfect picture! Yet there are still a few restaurants that showcase their dishes on the website, the menu is usually hidden in a pdf file. Weird in a time where young people (particularly up to 35 years) communicate through pictures (Instagram).
Online Menu wants to change this. They place your dishes with photos on the homepage . In addition, they provide insights in your potential guests and audience. Guests will also have the opportunity to write a review. On the website guests can filter the online menu labels and ingredients, see how other guests rate the dish and have a look at combined side dishes or drinks that were combined with the menu. A reservation module is build in. This system can be used to increase the service; it is in fact linked to a reservation website. Nice to know that the Smith family is coming for dinner for the 10th time.. And you could offer them a menu with their favorite dishes.
Creative terrace by Tinus Teder
30-4-2014
Last November Hudson Bar & Kitchen opened in Rotterdam. The restaurant starts the outdoor season appropriately by opening a special art terrace. Artist Tinus Teder took the look and feel of the restaurant to the terrace and was inspired by contemporary culture, love of life and street culture. His style is characterized by influences from pop art of the 60s.
Biological meat via mail-order
29-4-2014
Aukje Visser and Gerbrand Nicolai from Dokkum (The Netherlands) started with selling biological meat online. Even better, all the biological meat they sell comes from the Netherlands and their beef comes from farmers in Friesland they personally know. By using special techniques the entrepreneurs can guarantee that the meat is chilled for at least 48 hours and is sent by regular mail-order.
Favorite night snack worldwide
29-4-2014
Buzzfeed made a video with an overview of the most populair midnight snacks after going out. The Netherlands isn’t mentioned, what is our most populair drunken dish?
The crown of Holland
28-4-2014
The most northern part of North Holland gets its own local market under the name of ‘De Kroon van Holland’ (translated as The Crown of Holland) on 3 and 4 May . For tasty snacks from the region, local gems and local quality produce visitors can go to Anna Paulowna. During the weekend there are several demonstrations and workshops. There is for instance a BBQ workshop by Andy McDonald from ‘Echte Stokers’ in Schagen, Andrea van Lieshout teaches you how to create delicious dishes with Texel Asparagus and Ans van den Burg shows how to make real Wieringer Shrimp croquettes. Both Saturday and Sunday closes with a local produce dinner. Sign up for the workshops via www.facebook.com/kroonvanholland.
