Why not serve water this way!
22-4-2014
Today, Earth Day is celebrated around the world. This day positive attention is requested for global issues surrounding nature, the environment and climate change. With the main focus on reflection and enjoyment. In the hospitality industry, we are seeing more and more examples of less food miles, organic and local products, but also the processing of ‘forgotten’ vegetables and meat such as rooster, goat and goose. In addition, we have the debate about whether or not to serve tap water (in Europe). Yet we still see that ‘special’ water is served from glaciers from the other side of the world ….. But you can also make “special” water in a simpler and more sustainable way. Last weekend I served my ‘special’ waters at our Easter dinner. Several courses, with each course another water. I just used tap water and added herbs, lemon , rhubarb and beetroot, depending on the taste of the dish. Nice and simple. And just like wine, it’s nice to see if the taste actually blends well with the food. The water with beetroot / lemon and mint tasted great with the starter of smoked eel and the water with rhubarb was very subtle which combined well with dessert. A nice sustainable gesture; the water from the tap and the herbs and vegetables from nearby! And even for those who do not drink alcohol, it’s a party! My suggestion for Earth Day.^Marjolein
Hotel offers guests unlimited access to newspapers
22-4-2014
Traders Hotels has launched its digital newsstand ‘PressReader’ in 15 hotels in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Guest only have to connect with the Wi-Fi network and don’t need an account or log in. Through the ‘PressReader’ they get unlimited access to more than 2,500 global newspapers and magazines in 60 languages from 100 countries. They can read a newspaper or magazine at any time of the day, from anywhere in the hotel: a great gesture from to hotel to its guests.
Obey and get free vitamins of the vending machine
22-4-2014
Sociallab, a digital marketing agency in Greece placed a vending machine with the name ‘Greek Mama’ in a large shopping mall in Athens. ‘Greek Mama’ is known for her wisdom she knows best, so you’d better listen to what she says. Visitors of the shopping mall got the change to meet the ‘Greek Mama’ in person. The vending machine had a dozen quotes to encourage people to play along. The only thing they had to do; obey the orders of the vending machine and they would get a free vitamin drink.
Real WINE gums: wine in edible form
18-4-2014
The real WINE gums: no sweets for children but adult luxury food. Vinoos by AMS introduces edible wine in the shape of a wine gum. The real WINE gums are invented at the art academy and are now being produced. In July 2013 Vinoos AMS was selected as finalist of the Rabobank Entrepreneurship Award for ‘Best business plan in the Netherlands’. This innovative product contains natural ingredients, no animal substances and are vegetarian. The sweets come in two flavors: Merlot and Chardonnay. Nice to serve on a cheese platter in a restaurant, instead of a glass of wine. The real WINE gums will be available from May at the ‘Bijenkorf Flagstores’, the Bijenkorf web shop and through the web shop of 9-straatjes in Amsterdam.
Winning dish chef Tim Bosch on menu at Landal parks
18-4-2014
The Diabetes Foundation and fund ‘Variatie in de Keuken’ (variation in the kitchen) challenged the chefs of Landal parks in the Netherlands to serve the healthiest and tastiest dish during the ‘Chefs’ Challenge’. Chef Tim Bosch of Landal Coldenhove surprised the jury and won the ‘Chefs’ Challenge’ with his main course and dessert. His main course of ‘skin fried mackerel filet with cauliflower couscous and coriander oil’ and his dessert ‘green tea with citrus, poached pear with vanilla yoghurt panna cotta’ will be on the menu at several Landal parks from June.
Pay with your fingerprint
17-4-2014
From tomorrow it is possible to carry out mobile payments with your fingerprint. Consumers can use the fingerprint scanner of the new Samsung Galaxy S5 to pay through PayPal. The fingerprint is converted to a key that has been encrypted and gets access to PayPal. To activate the fingerprint, consumers must give permission once via an e-identifier. A lot easier for the consumer, it’s not necessary to fill in any data or remember the passwords, but simply swipe a finger across the screen.
The Pasta Sauna
17-4-2014
The Italian book ‘Futurist Cookbook’ condemned pasta as the worst food on earth. This inspired artist Marije Vogelzang to create a place where people can enjoy pasta, but can also feel like pasta. She created the Pasta Sauna for Performa in 2009 in New York and made an improved version for Dordtyard in April 2013. The Pasta Sauna is a place where consumers can eat pasta while they enjoy the steam of the sauna. Marije Vogelzang used the steam from boiling pasta to create a place where consumers will feel as lazy and heavy as the food they’re putting into their bodies.
Connecting coffee machine
16-4-2014
At many companies the coffee machine is the place to socialize with others. Conferences often lack this social moment because of the abundance of coffee. The Coffee Connector by the ‘Economic Development Board (EDB)’ from Singapore brings back the social moment in coffee drinking during networking meetings. The impressive machine only works if two people order a coffee at the same time. With a few short questions you get to know your fellow drinker over a cup of coffee. Watch the video.
Easter brunch in antique store
16-4-2014
The Wildschut antique shop in Amsterdam organizes a pure Easter brunch in collaboration with Alice den Boer (Alicious Food) on Monday 21 April. With a maximum of 15 guests, it is a small and intimate event where craft is the key ingredient, both on the plate as in the store.
Hotel Droog at Bijenkorf Amsterdam
16-4-2014
A special Droog design pop-up store opened at the Bijenkorf on the Dam Square in Amsterdam. The store on the 3rd floor of the warehouse is open to 4 May and offers various products for living room, kitchen, bedroom and garden. Most of the items are known from the Hôtel Droog at the Staalstraat. Here all activities by Droog Design come together and are the services focused on care and hospitalty instead of spending the night. The additional services in a regular hotel like a dining room, bar and tea room, gallery and store cover the majority of the hotel. The 700 square meter building only has one bedroom: The One and Only Bedroom. In addition to the pop-up campaign, it is possible to win a night at this room by sending in a slogan.
