Valentine’s Day at a restaurant
20-1-2015
The annual day of love declarations is in our sights again. Every year it’s an exciting day, especially for singles. Will they get an anonymous rose at work or in the classroom? As this year’s Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday, it offers a valuable opportunity for the hospitality industry. A lot of people will enjoy Valentine’s Day at a restaurant. Both for a romantic evenings eating out as well as for the bachelors looking for a singles-only dinner.
Valentine’s Day in the USA
Last year, Valentine’s Day was on a Friday and because many restaurants in America were fully booked, Wieden + Kennedy New York created a social media campaign on behalf of Heineken. By using the #DateInABox hashtag on Twitter women could provoke a declaration of love from their (future) boyfriend. The guys who received the social media love declaration had to share the message to all their Instagram-followers declaring their love via the channel like real romantic ‘softies’. With the hashtag #DateInABox the couples could win a surprise date for two.
Valentine’s day at a restaurant and hospitality / leisure industry
In recent years we have collected inspiring examples for Valentine’s Day at a restaurant and in the hospitality / leisure industry. Some examples are a romantic egg , the ultimate attention as a gift (by putting your phone off) , running a race with your sweetheart or share a gigantic dessert .
The Six Friends Theory by Mercure
16-1-2015
The six-degrees-of-separation theory claims that everyone on this planet is connected with each other by a maximum of six people. Mercure hotels introduced a worldwide digital campaign: ‘The Six Friends Theory’ and is looking for the perfect candidate to test the theory. From 20 January till 20 February the perfect candidate can apply through a worldwide selection process.
Purpose
The purpose of the campaign is to select a candidate from somewhere over the world, then let him/her meet an Aboriginal of the Bundjalung tribe and prove that they are only six links away from each other. They don’t know each other but they will get together via friends and friends of friends whom connect them.
Participation
From 20 January adventurers are invited to post a video of themselves on the Facebook page of Mercure. In the video they have to tell who they are, what talents they have, what their motivations and passions are and why they are the best friend of the world in just one minute. A video can be posted till 20 February.
The 50 videos with the most likes are directly going to the finals. A jury that consists out of six people including Jean-François Julian (a Movie Director) and Isabelle Musnik (Editor-in-Chief of INfluencia) will select the winner in a final interview. The selection takes place between 20 January and 10 February 2015 and the results will be announced between 17 and 24 February.
The Six Friends Theory
The first prize of the campaign is a trip around the world with stays at several Mercure hotels. The winner will be on his way for seven weeks from the beginning of March. ‘The Six Friends Theory’ exists out of six meetings, six destinations and six Mercure hotels worldwide. At each destination the winner will hear where he is going to find the next friend. These friends will give him a local experience and guide him to the next assignment towards the Aboriginal.
The winner will be on his way together with a film crew, directed by Jean-François Julian. It is his job to capture all the meetings and experiences of the winner.
There are also different rewards for the other 49 candidates from the finals like overnight stays at Mercure hotels and Samsung tablets.
Cocktail presentation in a creative way
14-1-2015
Be creative and serve your cocktails in a flask or create your own merchandise. A great way of cocktail presentation!
Years ago I regularly went to eat at a Japanese Steakhouse in Houston that served cocktails in white Geisha or Buddha sculptures. In a bowl behind the sculpture, they put the cocktail in a plastic glass. The straw was placed through one of the nostrils (if I remember correctly). By paying a few more dollars, you could take your Geisha of Buddha sculpture home. A popular collector’s item amongst colleague stewardesses at the time.
Cocktail presentation in a flask
Recently I saw an article at Thrillist about cocktails served in a flask. They’ve posted eight different examples of cocktail presentation at their website. If you own a cocktail bar you can serve cocktails from these flasks, with the name of your bar on it. I suppose that a lot of people are willing to pay a bit extra to keep the bottle! And if more people are coming to your bar because of the delicious cocktails that you serve in these trendy flasks, you create your own merchandise!
Be creative…
This can also be done with other items, of course. If you have teenage daughters you probably know how popular the merchandising of the Hard Rock Café is. Wouldn’t you buy a cup of coffee (and the cup) if it’s served in a cup shaped like a wooden shoe? If you visited Amsterdam? Determine what you could offer to charm your guests! (And of course what brings them back more often) ^Marjolein
Dutch Stars Favorites
13-1-2015
The 4 favorite cresses from Dutch chefs who got a new Michelin star in the end of 2014.
The 2015 ‘Dutch Stars Favorites’ consists of Aclla Cress, Basil Cress, BlinQ Cress and Shiso Green. This is a balanced blend of subtle flavours according to Koppert Cress, however, each flavour has a distinctive effect on the taste experience of a dish. The ‘Dutch Stars Favorites’ includes 4 boxes of every kind, nice for smaller kitchens where a full box of one cress is too much. The selection is offered in a ‘Dutch Blue’ box.
Dutch Stars Favorites
The favorite cresses are selected by a number of chefs from Dutch restaurants who received a new Michelin star, end 2014. With the composition of the ‘Dutch Stars Favorites’, Koppert Cress starts a new tradition. Every year, after the presentation of the Michelin stars a new composition will be made by chefs. In the video François Geurts from Restaurant FG (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) indicates how he uses the cress.
Wallvertising by Pieter Ceizer for Warsteiner
8-1-2015
In 2014 the premium beer brand Warsteiner had several walls decorated with a unique design in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. These authentic ‘wallvertising’ was made by artist Pieter Ceizer (from Amsterdam) and is to admire at café PIEK (Rotterdam), the Ruyschkamer (Amsterdam) and the ‘We Are Labels’ boutique in the Pijp (Amsterdam).
This project is inspired by the old New York phenomenon of ads that are painted on the sides of buildings, remnants of a lost era of urban life. Warsteiner wants to support the comeback of this traditional art form, because it brings back the craft and centers the artist.
Wallvertising – display the correct message
Pieter Ceizer plays not only with images, but also knows for each brand how to convey the right message in its own style. Expect unexpected puns that directly capture the essence such as “The biggest small family brewery” for Warsteiner. At the individual sites Pieter Ceizer knew how to subtly process the identity of cafe owners in his murals. “Brothers from other mothers” in the cafe De Ruyschkamer refers to the two young owners, who are brothers, but do not have the same mother. When entering café PIEK the intimate nature of the cafe is immediately clear by the artist interpretation: “Where everybody knows your name.”
Warsteiner + art and creative initiatives
The Warsteiner family has a special relationship with art and creative initiatives for generations . The family does not only has an impressive art collection, but also has close ties with several artists. Four years ago, Warsteiner Netherlands launched a seeding program in cooperation with BLEND \ BUREAUX. With this program the premium beer brand supports initiatives in the art- and fashion scene, such as exhibition openings and other events where a creative approach has been put central.
Free pizza slide with A-grades
1-12-2014
The Greenville House of Pizza in New Hampshire is offering its young customers the chance to earn free slices with homework and good grades. The strangest marketing actions are organized to inspire young people to earn a free meal at a fast food restaurant. Last year for example, we read in an article that girls could get a free slice of pizza if they showed their “boobs” in a Pizza Place in Illinois. (Not) a good example of trying to get more guests through community involvement. 
Stimulate students with pizza slices
The owner of the Greenville House of Pizza, a 28-year war veteran helps young people with their homework and treats free pizza slices if they get an ‘A’. In addition, students can do their homework in his “Study Hall Special“ until five o’clock in the afternoon and in the meantime enjoy a slice of pizza for only 35 dollar cents. The owner even helps with the homework, if he understands the subject!
Social commitment
My youngest daughter is currently in high school and sometimes I hear that she didn’t consume her lunch but ordered a pizza with friends instead. Knowing this makes the action above much more sympathetic and that occasional pizza slice is eaten anyway! ^Marjolein
Tribute to Alain Passard
28-11-2014
In our humble opinion a chef can’t get a better tribute! Eight chefs who have ever worked for and are inspired by Alain Passard, have jointly catered a dinner in honor of his cooking style. Initiated by Le Fooding and sponsored by San Pellegrino. ‘Alain Passard et les Arpégiens’; Björn Frantzén, Sven Chartier, Mauro Calagreco, David Toutain, Tatiana Levha, Bertrenad Grébaut, Marc Cordonnier and Ludo Lefebvre.
Reunion: Chefs tell about Alain Passard’s cooking style
Vegetables, respect for the product, watching and listening to the product, the product of this moment has the most flavor, be careful with heat and a fine balance between fat and acid. A great tribute to Alain Passard.
Great tribute
Great idea to organize a similar tribute to a Dutch chef around the presentation of a magazine or book, like the ‘Lekker’, the GaultMillau (from the Netherlands), ‘Grootspraak’ or around a special edition of Delicious.
Small hospitable gesture: Leave it at Hyatt
27-11-2014
The Grand Hyatt Melbourne has launched its ‘Leave it at Hyatt’ service, enabling visitors to safely store their belongings on site, ready for their next stay.
We have been writing about small hospitable gestures for quite some time now and this is one great example. ‘Leave it at Hyatt’ is facilitating frequent visitors to travel lighter or in case they are a bit over packed for one return flight, to pick their luggage up the next time. According to the Australian Business Traveller, regular guests can fill out a form and leave items at the reception (all within reasonable proportions of course). When they return, guests can get their items delivered to their room. Clothes can even be dry-cleaned if requested!
The ‘Leave it at Hyatt’ service is creating repeating visits and brand loyalty
A similar service like ‘Leave it at Hyatt’ is sometimes offered at wintersporthotels. Having the ability to leave skies and ski shoes at the hotel enables the guest to travel lighter. On the other hand, hotels are assured that the guest will return! Nice small gestures. What small hospitable gesture can you offer your guests? ^Marjolein
Storytelling by Hotel Casa 400
26-11-2014
Hotel Casa 400 launches storytelling website ‘Home To 400’ and shares its history by the motto “Mi Casa es su Casa ‘.
In 1957 Gabbe Scheltema, Frits Bolkestein and the late Nol South took the initiative to introduce a successful student hotel concept from Copenhagen in Amsterdam in Copenhagen. They wanted to offer a solution to the lack of student housing and wanted to solve the increased demand for hotel rooms in the peak summer season as well.
“With us behind every room a story”
The hotel pays tribute to the founders and 57 years of history by launching a unique website with stories from students, staff and visitors of Casa 400. The accompanying video for instance tells the story of the housekeeping staff, but there are also extensive written stories about (former) residents.
Expanding the storytelling website
Besides stories that are published already the website will gradually be supplemented with stories of all students, employees and guests. It is one of the best examples of storytelling in the hospitality industry nowadays.
Breathometer Breeze; a mobile breathalyzer for smartphones
25-11-2014
Breathometer Breeze
The first mobile breathalyzer for smartphones is now available in the Netherlands. Through the Breathometer app the Breeze informs users quickly and accurately on their blood-alcohol results. The Breeze is designed to stimulate occasional drinkers to maintain control over their alcohol consumption and make safer and healthier choices.
User friendly gadget
The Breathometer Breeze turns a smartphone into an accurate breathalyzer within seconds. The Breeze works through a wireless Bluetooth connection, has no warm-up time and is always ready for use. The advanced sensor technology allows precise and fast results possible. If used daily, the battery will last for about 16 months. The Breeze comes with a money belt clip, a key ring holder and a separate mouthpiece for hygienic sharing of the Breeze with friends.
A combination of ‘nice and need to know’
Distributor Tipping Valley BV introduces the Breeze from Breathometer Inc. The Breeze is a nice gadget. A combination of ‘nice to know’ and ‘need to know’. The Breathometer app provides the blood alcohol level quick and accurate on the smartphone screen. In addition, the app provides the function ‘home safely’. The app shows how long it takes until the alcohol is gone from the blood and when people are sober or ‘back to zero’ again. The app can even assist in arranging a taxi through Uber or a local taxi company. In the future, it is also possible to find local restaurants via this app or book a night in the nearest hotel. The app is available for iOS and Android smartphones.
