Food Fighters Universe | The first NFT-backed restaurant group
11-4-2022
Andy Nguyen and Kevin Seo, the foodpreneurs behind the world’s first Bored Ape restaurant, Bored & Hungry, recently announced Food Fighters Universe (FFU), an NFT collection that will connect food and Web3. Launching in May, FFU will be a collection of 10,000 unique tokens on the ETH (Ethereum) blockchain. Each purchase will help to develop the world’s first NFT-backed restaurant group, focused on building gathering places in real life (IRL) and the metaverse, while offering utility and experiences for Food Fighters NFT holders. “I saw the Web3 space as a way to fix those problems and save the restaurant industry.” – Andy Nguyen.
Although we don’t see exactly what Andy Nguyen means with saving the restaurant industry, it’s an interesting development. They opened Bored & Hungry last Saturday and the 10,000 tokens will give members access to special events, rewards, and other perks. In January 2022 we wrote about the exclusive Flyfish Club, which is expected to open in New York City in 2023. A membership card for this exclusive club and restaurant is an NFT purchased with cryptocurrency.
3 minutes read
Claridge’s Afternoon Tea at the Maybourne Beverly Hills
11-4-2022
For the first time in its 150 year history, Claridge’s legendary afternoon tea will be served outside of its Mayfair home, and will take residency at sister hotel The Maybourne Beverly Hills – the first American property from Maybourne Hotel Group. Guests will enjoy the traditional British teatime ritual, but with playful twists in true Maybourne spirit, that will reflect the flavours of California and the vibrancy of the destination. Presented on the LA hotel’s sweeping outdoor garden terrace, guests will enjoy this alfresco service surrounded by a white jacketed team, a fragrant garden of wild flowers, accompanied by the sounds of a grand piano.
Although it doesn’t sound like a trend, we love the idea of being able to enjoy a real British Afternoon Tea in another place. Would you go to a Dutch hotel if they would for example serve the delicious Claridge’s scones and their British style sandwiches? Or any of the Afternoon Tea’s we wrote about? We think collaborations like this could work at many more destinations!
2 minutes read
Rococo des Fleurs | Gastronomy Extravaganza
8-4-2022
On May 13, 14 and 15, pop-up restaurant ‘Rococo des Fleurs’ will open its doors. An exclusive culinary, colourful experience styled by master florist Menno Kroon. In his ‘Oranjerie’ – hidden between the orchards of Cothen in the province of Utrecht – some of the best Michelin-starred chefs of the Netherlands, Ron Blaauw, Dennis Huwaë and Hans van Wolde will create ‘the taste of seduction’ pop-up dinners. Concert pianist Iris hond will enrapture guests with her grand piano music and a number of international club DJs will lace the evening with modern jazz, lounge and deep house. Rococo des Fleurs partner Bentley Leusden will facilitate pick-up & drop-off of guests.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Diego’s Burgers| Plant-based Chef’s Table pop-up at DGTL festival
5-4-2022
During the 8th edition of DGTL festival (16-17 April 2022) at the NDSM Docklands in Amsterdam, chef Diego Buik from Diego’s Burgers will provide an exclusive, fully plant-based Chef’s Table pop-up. This pop-up is made possible thanks to Beyond Meat, who will open a plant-based foodcourt together with Apenkooi events. Diego’s signature dish this day? The Smashed Burger, especially developed for DGTL. Think of a juicy plant-based patty, made of Beyond Meat mince, served on a bun with tomato, pickle, lollo bianco, Violife cheddar and of course a good burger sauce. Finger licking good and guilt-free for the festival visitor with a great appetite.
1 minute read
Trends we spotted | Week 13
4-4-2022
At horecatrends.com 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 links to articles and amongst others three Instagram posts we spotted, the special branding of Mr. Charlie’s in Los Angeles with their red/yellow colors as well as the upside down smile. And Miss Crispy Rice who recently opened inside the Oasis Wynwood in Miami, serving crispy rice sushi!
Another Instagram post that we really love is one from Paris where restaurant La Bourse et la Vie hired 3 refugees from Ukraine and changed their cuisine and their name in Le Borscht et la Vie as of yesterday for 2 months.
Dubai is the 36th destination which will have its own Guide MICHELIN! The first selection of restaurants will be revealed in June. And McDonald’s USA surprises fans with unexpected Szechuan Sauce drop. Great idea a limited time offer of products from the past, which product would you bring back?
SALSA SHOP is a fast growing brand of fresh Mexican food restaurants, they recently opened the 10th restaurant in the Netherlands and they have big dreams for Europe. And a great initiative of Culinair Leiden in our hometown, a 6.5 km long festive ribbon of tables along the Singelpark route on 25 and 26 June 2022: Singelpark Dinner.
Restaurant commerce platform, GoTab, recently announced that it is partnering with Mastercard to transform the digital checkout experience in hospitality venues across the US with the implementation of Click to Pay.
Smullies Maastricht | Trendy patisserie shop and ice cream parlour
4-4-2022
Since 10 March 2022, Maastricht has been home to a trendy and special patisserie shop and ice cream parlour. Servais Tielman of Michelin-starred restaurant Beluga Loves You and his partners opened ‘Smullies Maastricht’, a unique and trendy shop with unique ice cream flavours, exceptional patisserie, smoothies, milkshakes and coffee. Smullies is located at Frankenstraat 198 and has a striking interior in pastel pink colours and gold. In May 2022 the second branch will open in the new Foodchurch in the Boschstraat in Maastricht.
A trendy new address to go to when you go to the most touristic city in the south of the Netherlands, Maastricht! Here you can enjoy a cup of slow roast coffee with a Big Boy Macaron from the Michelin-starred restaurant Beluga Loves You or an éclair or madeleines or….. Or ‘just’ an ice cream: the pink ruby chocolate ice cream with raspberry and rose water sounds delicious, right?
2 minutes read
First edition SHIT HOT FEST sets Amsterdam ‘on fire’ on April 9 and 10
31-3-2022
International hot sauce makers and pepper fans flock to Deus Cantina for the hottest event of the year. Amsterdam’s Deus Cantina restaurant will transform into a temple of hotness on April 9 and 10 during the first-ever edition of the SHIT HOT FEST. 16 international hot sauce makers, pepper fans and spice lovers will come together at the hottest culinary event of the year. ‘At the SHIT HOT FEST, the pepper takes the stage. You’ll meet the world’s best hot sauce makers and taste what makes spicy cuisine so hot. But: at this FEST it’s also mainly about fun,’ says Neil Roake, co-organizer of the event (and co-founder T-Rex Sauces).
Reading time: 2 minutes
Under The Sea by Ephemera Restaurant Group | The first immersive restaurant in Paris
31-3-2022
Recently opened in Paris, at the MK2 Bibliothèque on 160 Avenue France in the 13th arrondissement, the first immersive restaurant in France: Under The Sea by Ephemera. The three young entrepreneurs of the Ephemera Restaurant Group, Jade Frommer, Annaïg Ferrand and chef Loris de Vaucelles, created a restaurant where your taste buds will be surprised, without breaking the bank and where you will immerse yourself and your company in the theme of the ocean. Video projections on large screens, light and sound effects and a spectacular décor: everything to create a unique atmosphere within the place. The chef is Loris de Vaucelles and he works with high quality products and has a lot of creativity, watch the video later in the article.
So if you’re driving to the South of France this summer, a visit to Paris and a plonge in the ocean to discover its ‘majestic fauna and luminescent flora’ whilst enjoying real French cuisine for a reasonable price, might be a fun idea!
1 minute read
Trends we spotted | Week 12
29-3-2022
At horecatrends.com 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 links to articles about amongst others the Bjarke Ingels Group, they unveiled a treetop hotel room in Sweden covered with 350 bird houses. And the 25hours Hotels introduce a 4-day working week in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Some openings: The Big Mamma Group will open Giorgia Trattoria in Munich this summer and today (March 28) the fourth Gucci Osteria will open in Seoul. In Berlin the new Café Camaleon opened, it’s an all-day casual dining concept at the Casa Camper Berlin. Camper is a famous shoe concept from Spain.
Come 2025, the way Parisians commute will change with the launch of Câble 1, Paris‘ first urban cable car. The new 4.5-kilometer line will connect suburbs in the city’s southeast to the Metro system. And a link to great images of the high-end breakfast all day concept in Berlin: Frühstück 3000.
Starbucks and Volvo will build an EV charging network from the Colorado Rockies to their Support Center in Seattle. And Portland in Oregon will get the first sports bar dedicated to women’s games: The Sports Bra.
Ramen Restaurant Takumi is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
24-3-2022
The famous ramen restaurant Takumi is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and is organizing festive activities and moments throughout the year to celebrate. In 2007, they opened their first branch in Düsseldorf and by now there are already 41 restaurants to be found all over Europe. At Takumi you can enjoy authentic Japanese Sapporo Noodles which have become extremely popular in recent years. To celebrate Takumi’s 15th anniversary and to show gratitude to the loyal Takumi fans, several festive moments are set up in 2022. These include multiple live events in different European cities, a lottery to win a trip every quarter of the year, a ‘Create your own ramen’ challenge and the launch of a limited edition Takumi clothing collection. So expect an extensive and festive program to celebrate 15 years of love for Japanese Soul Food, of which the first event will take place in Rotterdam on April 30!
Takumi now has 41 locations throughout Europe. In Belgium they have locations in Brussels and Antwerp, eight in total. There is also a Takumi in Prague, Czech Republic, one in Vienna in Austria and one in Milan, Italy. Germany has no fewer than 14 locations spread over Düsseldorf, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Köln. Also in Spain you can enjoy the ramen at Takumi at five different locations in Barcelona. In the Netherlands you can taste Takumi’s specialties in The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Eindhoven. We will definitely visit soon!
Reading time: 3 minutes
Food Fighters Universe founders Andy Nguyen and Kevin Seo. credits Evan Lancaster
Food Fighters Universe founders Andy Nguyen, Phillip Huynh and Kevin Seo with advisory team member Bun B. credits Evan Lancaster
Food Fighters Universe Mascot "Pete Za".
The Food Fighters Universe team in Los Angeles on March 30, 2022, during NFTLA. Credits Evan Lancaster
