Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2020 | This year’s theme: Art Deco
7-12-2020
Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel has unveiled its much anticipated Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2020 in the hotel lobby. This year the landmark hotel has drawn on its rich and glamorous Art Deco design heritage evoking the Roaring 20’s, a time when people were looking for a symbol of hope and happiness post World War One. As London looks for a beacon of light amidst the trials and tribulations of this year, the message seems very fitting as we once again hope for better times to come.
The Claridge’s Christmas Tree has long symbolized the start of the festive season in the capital, drawing visitors and Londoners alike to admire its magnificent design. This is the 11th year that Claridge’s has invited a longstanding partner and friend to reinterpret the tree in their own distinctive style. We wrote about a couple of them because we love the inspiration they offer, on the level of decorating but also in choosing to cooperate with the designers. Check out the trees by regular guests and designers Christian Louboutin, Diane von Fürstenberg and even Karl Lagerfeld.
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The Berkeley unveils ‘Winter at The Garden’
1-12-2020
On Thursday 3rd December, as The Berkeley reopens its doors to all, the hotel will reveal a new festive addition: Winter at The Garden. Following the summer sell out success of The Garden and now reimagined for the winter months, this culinary terrace spot will consist of five cosy wooden cabins, each seating up to six diners. These cabins, glittering with flickering candles, will be decked with wreaths courtesy of McQueens, and surrounded by a forest of fir trees and fairy lights. Guests will be armed with blankets and heaters to keep warm. A menu of alpine specialties, built around a showstopping raclette grill, will delight eager guests after weeks of eating at home.
The UK is getting out of their lockdown tomorrow December 2 just after midnight, at that moment the country will go back to a three tier system. Only if you’re located in a tier 3 region, the restaurants and pubs aren’t allowed to open. London for example is located in a tier 2 region (most regions are tier 2), the rules here are: ‘Pubs and bars can only open if they serve substantial meals. Alcohol can be served with that meal. Pubs and restaurants must shut at 23:00 GMT, with last orders at 22:00 GMT.’ We wish that this was the case here in the Netherlands as well!
Trends we spotted | Week 47
24-11-2020
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 among others articles about, Eataly in London and Bee Approved, a 100% vegan, gluten-free & organic alternative to honey.
In the food delivery section we spotted Pickup Pods by Minnow, contact-free food delivery and pickup solutions developed in the US and in New York, Eat Plantega. This company offers vegan foods in fridges in bodegas.
A company in Belgium created the FagronLab™ UVGI-80 Air-Sterilizer. It does a full cleanse of contaminated environments, via the elimination of virus and bacteria spread in the air through aerosols. And trust in how you clean the surroundings is very important according to this online survey: ‘Dining Habits 2020’ by Lightspeed.
KFC has unveiled its Next Generation Prototype restaurant that puts digital and contactless experiences front and center and we spotted the cutest ‘Charcuterie Chalets’ on Instagram. Might be inspiration for your Christmas dinner!
Trends we spotted | Week 46
17-11-2020
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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’.
This week with links to articles about, among other things, cute desserts at patisserie/café ‘Bibble & Sip’ in New York, the McPlant is coming and Impossible Foods is testing plant-based milk.
Inspiration concerning room service for hotels, including high-end snacks from a secret menu at the Kimpton LA Peer hotel and a cocktail bar that will be placed in front of your hotel room at The Portofino Hotel & Marina.
Original decorations for your Christmas tree: Smirnoffs Nr. 21 Christmas ornaments filled with vodka and Guinness comes with two limited-edition stout beers for the holidays.
An interesting article about Uber, showing that the turnover of Uber Eats has increased by 190%, but that does not make up for the loss on the taxi rides. And the Manchester based food delivery platform “Get Vegan Grub” aims to be an ethical and vegan alternative to Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat. They will also start in London in February 2021.
The Russian franchise chain Dodo Pizza recently opened its first branch in Germany.
Green Boy Group launched Plant-Meat Protein™ | A plant-based protein powder for meat substitutes
17-11-2020
Green Boy Group announced today that it has launched Plant-Meat Protein™; a functional plant-based protein powder that is NON-GMO and developed as ‘meat’ grade. Plant-Meat Protein™ enhances mouthfeel, boost nutritional properties and enlarges the textured aspects in plant-based meat products.
The Berkeley Breakfast in Bed delivery service in the neighbourhood
17-11-2020
From November 16, The Berkeley will be taking to the streets delivering joyful bundles of breakfast by bike. Two different breakfasts are available during lockdown and beyond, and will be whizzed to neighbourhood doors via The Berkeley’s bikes to bring a little comfort to the local SW1X area.
From which hotel in your vicinity would you like to order a ‘breakfast in bed’?
DOT Groningen presents the largest Christmas bauble in the world despite COVID-19
16-11-2020
The largest Christmas bauble in the world will rise again this year in Groningen. On Sunday December 6th, starting at 5:00 PM, no less than 6,000 LED lights will be lit at DOT Groningen. The initiators worked for weeks to get the lights and a completely new “Christmas bauble hook” ready on time and to attach them to their dome. The dome, with a diameter of 26 meters and a height of 19 meters, is the largest Christmas bauble in the world.
In addition to good food and drinks, DOT is a multifunctional company, where hospitality and variety in the programming for young and old are central. And the initiators also came up with a Drive-Thru-experience for this year and together with three other authentic restaurants they created the #ChristmasBaubleBox: The culinary December gift for companies and for families at home.
Restaurant chain Flat Iron launches its limited edition Butchers Box and online shop
13-11-2020
This November, self-taught butcher and Founder of Flat Iron, Charlie Carroll, is pleased to announce the launch of Flat Iron’s limited-edition Butcher’s Box and online shop, bringing the best quality beef to doorsteps across the UK with one click.
Holsom By Yogurtland | New fast casual concept by Yogurtland
12-11-2020
Yogurtland, the nation’s leading frozen yogurt brand, opens its doors to their new fast casual concept Holsom By Yogurtland in Huntington Beach, California next Saturday, November 14th. Holsom By Yogurtland focuses on bringing an innovative menu of delicious flavours, high quality ingredients, and better-for-you meal options at an appealing price.
Like at Yogurtland, guest can choose to create their own grain bowls and gourmet toasts, a build-your-own platform and customize unique creations at this new fast casual concept. We wish everybody at Holsom By Yogurtland lots of fun and success!
Trends we spotted | Week 45
10-11-2020
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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’.
Vegan is getting more and more important! We spotted articles about Willicroft’s ‘This is Not Cheese’ products, vegan Mini BabyBel cheese, vegan Boursin soft cheese and a new sustainability label for fish alternatives called ‘friend of the Sea’.
With all the restaurants, pubs etc. closing in the UK, Burger King tweeted that people could help the industry by treating themself to tasty meals even from McDonald’s. And we spotted one of the first list of predictions for 2021, ten food trends according to Whole Foods.
Recently opened at The Connaught Hotel with its own entrance: The Connaught Patisserie. Take-away or delivery of an afternoon tea! And a great way to introduce your new hotel in Auckland, New Zealand by QT Hotels & Resorts. Their treasure hunt created a big buzz!
Claridge's Christmas Tree 2020
Claridge's Christmas Tree 2020
