Restaurant guests get the perfect light for food photos
25-4-2014
Not every restaurant is happy with guests who post food photos on Social Media. The photos are often blurry or improperly exposed whereby the dish looks unsavory. To give guests the opportunity to shoot professional photos, restaurant El Burro in South-Africa placed a portable light studio in the restaurant. Guests can choose various colored lights and once they have chosen the perfect mood lighting, they can take a photo and upload it on Instagram with #dinnercam. The device is developed by MWEB Wi-Fi network. Guests receive a free copy of their photo.
Freedom dinners on 5 May
23-4-2014
On 5 May people in Amsterdam eat together during the “Freedom meals”. In restaurants, parks, homes and on the streets of Amsterdam thousands of citizens share tables. Various organizations and initiatives connect people through food. There are five StreetDinners organized by Bite Me throughout the city, where fifty volunteers cook in ten kitchens and collectively serve it for the visitors of these local events. Next to that, a huge dinner is organized at the IJ (1000 pax) and in several other local dinners are organized in the districts, see this link (Dutch) for an overview.
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
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.
Napkin origami
14-4-2014
In our publication ‘Royal hospitable gestures‘ we wrote an article about in old-fashioned origami with towels in hotels. But also restaurants can have a folded napkin on a set table. Duni napkins has some instructional videos folding napkins on their website, like the feather napkin in the video above. For every occasion and theme, a matching folded napkin.
The espresso boys
14-4-2014
Tough guys and fresh espresso. The ‘espresso jongens’ (espresso boys) can be hired for any type of event, party, wedding or exhibition. The espresso served is made of sustainable coffee beans and they use a hand-operated pump to generate the pressure to serve the espresso. With the belt with cups, stirrers and sugar they have everything needed. The espresso boys can be combined with the ‘meisjes met smaak’ (girls with taste) to make a combination of coffee with something sweet and delicious. The ‘meisjes met smaak’ are known of the oyster girls, but can also be hired as macaron girl, pata girl, sushi girl, ice cream girl, brullee girl etc.
Chok – the chocolate kitchen
10-4-2014
Chök – the chocolate kitchen- located at las Ramblas in Barcelona is a chocolate delicacy shop and opened its doors in August 2013. A true paradise for the sweet tooth! The shop has a real ‘chök’ wall and a open kitchen where customers can taste during the production process. The star product ‘chök’ is a delicacy that comes in 30 flavors made according to a special recipe with less sugar, fat and frying time. It’s a healthier version of a donut. The shop also sells chocolate chips, macaroons, cupcakes and churros. Chök also organizes courses where chocolate plaus a key role, like ‘taller de tapas’ with recipes for salmon marinated in cocoa, making a ganache and a chocolate tortilla with mascarpone.
Vive le Vin wine bus
10-4-2014
Folkert-Jan Duynstee decided after his world tour in 2012 to do something with his passion for wines. In the France Burgundy region he found a Citroen HY Currus bus from 1964, the start of ‘Vive le Vin’. Vive le Vin is available for events throughout the Netherlands, such as festivals, receptions and weddings. The wine poured by Vive le Vin comes from countries around the world and is organic. Beside the wide range of wines, Vive le Vin also pours organic juices, beers, coffee and serves snacks and sweets. The bus has a heated tent and bar stools.
