Our/Amsterdam Vodka, made locally and sold locally
12-11-2015
Since early October Amsterdam has its own Our/Amsterdam Vodka. Our/Amsterdam is one of the nine small production facilities owned by France’s Pernod Ricard.
Our/Amsterdam Vodka
Our/Amsterdam has started producing their Vodka in the distillery at the Helikoperstraat 32, in Amsterdam. The distillery has a production facility and a tasting room which is ideal for small events and tours. The tasting room is very trendy, with industrial lamps combined with green plants and copper accents. The vodka in Amsterdam has a soft taste with a subtle aroma. Although the recipe for all the Our/Vodka’s has been developed by Vincent Hoarau of The Pernod Ricard Research Centre, most ingredients are sourced locally and every location has its own brew master. In addition they say that in every city the taste is infused with the personality and expression of the city.
Although part of a global parent company with locations all over the world, every Our/Vodka produces a local vodka, sold for local markets. Like Our Vodka Berlin, Stockholm, Detroit, Seattle and Our London will open this month and next year New York, Los Angeles and Miami will follow.
About the team behind Our/Amsterdam
Amsterdam entrepreneurs Marcel Wortel and Ivo Hulscher teamed up with Pernod Ricard to be the Our/Amsterdam partners of the Our/Vodka family. The team is completed with Joris Doesburg, sales manager, Martijn Schavemaker, distillery manager and Anton Bal, social media guy. Their message: Our/Amsterdam is smooth, fresh and composed to blend well with any mixer. But keep it simple, it’s vodka.
Is the Keurig KOLD system a replacement for the mini-bar?
3-11-2015
With the Keurig KOLD system you will make your own soda in just 8 seconds. Will this be a possible replacement for the minibar?
How does it work?
The system is based on coffee machines like the Nespresso machine and the Senseo. The provider offers a range of flavours of soft drinks in the form of a pad. You can choose one of your favourite soft drinks, put the pad in the machine and push the start button. The water will be pressed through the pad. You are able to set your favourite temperature to get yourself a perfectly chilled, fresh glass of soda. The Keurig KOLD system works without the aid of a carbon dioxide cartridge, making it user friendly.
You can make different drinks with the Keurig KOLD system
Currently the producers have agreements with different soda vendors, such as Coca-Cola. In addition, the Keurig system KOLD can prepare different soft drinks, iced teas, flavoured waters and sports drinks.
Mini-bar
The system seems an ideal replacement for the minibar. The only thing you have to think of is the presence of sufficient pads in the room. Especially the step of the final invoicel and the restocking of the pads in the room, will save much time and effort.
Joinn! Hotspot for Lounge, Work and Short Stay
30-10-2015
Joinn! in Houten (a city located in the center of the Netherlands) is a new location with flex offices, a lounge & food area and 25 city lofts. The building in which Joinn! is located was empty for more than 5 years and has been transformed from regular offices into a unique hotspot.
Redeveloped into a hotspot
In many cities all over the world, the transformation of old buildings is high on the agenda. The so-called ‘transformations’ also fit into the policy that many municipalities have to deal with in the Netherlands, such as the ‘Ladder of Sustainable Urbanization’. The company Vides, located in Houten, keeps busy with redevelopments. The past two years they have redeveloped the former PTT Post Office and NS Offices in Houten into the hotspot Joinn! The company opens its doors next week and provides workplaces for the self-employed, a lounge (food & drinks) and city lofts (short stay, stay between two nights to one year).
Joinn!
Vidès and De Wit architecten were charged with the redevelopment, involving a creative process at every turn of the conceptual interpretation. In the lounge they will be serving a healthy breakfast with great coffee, yogurt-to-go, fresh smoothies and pastries. For lunch and dinner a lot of local products will be served and during the weekend guests can meet for cocktails, bites and experience live music in the lounge in Joinn!
For the catering section, the beating heart of Joinn!, our consultant Guido Verschoor (Van Spronsen & Partners horeca – advies), has provided support and co-direction during the concept interpretation.
Sharing good moments at Joinn!
The combination of different functions within the building creates flexibility, dynamics and synergy. ‘Sharing good moments’ is their motto. From 6 November 2015 the old building will be bursting with energy and hopefully new connections and inspiring ideas will originate from here! More information on Facebook.
A cloud of alcoholic cocktails!
23-10-2015
Bompas & Parr’s ‘alcoholic architecture’ is a pop-up cocktail bar in London’s famous ‘foodie centre’, the Borough Market. In this bar visitors can literally stand in a cloud of alcoholic cocktails.
Bompas & Parr’s pop-up
Up to and including January 2016 Bompas & Parr’s ‘alcoholic archtecture’ will be open for visitors in the Borough Market. In an enclosed area, the air is moistened with a mixture of spirits. Examples of the ‘served’ drinks are the liqueurs Chartreuse and Benedictine, a Trappist beer and fortified alcoholic wine, the notorious Buckfast.
Cloud of alcoholic cocktails
Visitors have to get in a rain suit at the entrance, and then they literally step into a cloud of alcoholic cocktails. The alcohol will be absorbed into the body through the lungs and eyes. This is exactly the reason for the signs ‘breathe responsibly’. The bar is only accessible for 18 years and older.
‘British Museum of Food’ (BMoF)
In the same building as the pop-up store ‘The British Museum of Food’ will be open for visitors from 21 October. This museum will be world’s first cultural institution which is entirely devoted to the history, evolution, science, sociology and the art of food. Some of the museum pieces are: The world’s fastest cheese trolley (from 0 to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds), the first space coffee (brought to 37 km altitude and back) and the first barbecue on 2.100 °C melted lava.
Fitness beer, grab a beer without feeling guilty!
22-10-2015
Supplemental Brewing specializes in making beer that not only tastes good, but is also healthy. On Kickstarter they launched a crowdfunding campaign to get their fitness beer, Brewtein and NutriBeer on the market in America.
Fitness beer?
Many athletes are busy with their physical health, but would also like to enjoy a beer, especially in the weekend. Supplemental Brewing wants to combine the two, and that’s how they got the idea to brew a fitness beer. This is done under the motto: ‘Workout meets your weekend’.
Brewtein and NutriBeer
Both beers are made specifically for consumers who want to enjoy a beer, after exercising, without feeling guilty. Yet both have their own taste and target audience.
Brewtein contains most proteins and is intended for athletes who specifically want to build muscle mass. It contains 7 grams of protein, which makes it a real fitness beer! However, the amount of protein doesn’t determine the taste, it’s a fairly light beer and it contains the refreshing taste of wheat. It should be served cold with a slice of lemon.
NutriBeer is a bit less strong and lower in carbohydrates and calories, which makes this beer perfect for those that work out a lot to stay slim and healthy. After an hour of heavy exercise in the gym, you can lay back on the couch with NutriBeer, without feeling guilty. This lager has a subtle lemon flavor and should be served ice cold!
Kickstarter
Supplemental Brewing started a year ago and its founder, Blake Konrady is now trying to collect money through Kickstarter to bring his ‘Fitness Beer’ on the market. For those who support him through Kickstarter, he prepared all kind of merchandise, such as shirts, sweaters, bags, a beer bell (a dumbbell in which you can place your beer) and a number of other items. Today, 22 October, he still has eight days left to get his beer funded through crowdfunding and he still has to collect over 10,000 dollar.
Last year we also spotted ‘Lean Machine’, beer and sports drink at the same time.
Bouzy, Wine & Food at the Denneweg Hague
25-9-2015
Bouzy, Wine & Food opened at the Denneweg in The Hague. The wine & bites bar was founded by Martijn Verbruggen and Stefan Verleer and is a place where wine lovers will feel at home.
Bouzy
Co-owner Martijn Verbruggen: “Bouzy is an accessible place with a tough but warm vintage look and natural light from the many windows. The wines are the heart of Bouzy, we have over 100 wines, including 25 open wines of which several champagnes. We serve wines that we get from wine specialist suppliers who share their gems for us. In addition, we import champagnes from small producers ourselves via our company G-Bubbles.”
The name Bouzy
“Bouzy is named after the French Grand Cru area ‘Bouzy’, which is known as one of the best terroirs of Champagne. Next to the wines Martijn and Stefan serve snacks and bistro-style dishes like bruschetta, flammkuchen, bites of fish and meat, charcuterie, salads, cheese, desserts and coq au vin.”
Wine events
Bouzy will be a place where special wine events take place. Recently Lucas Payà was at the restaurant to present the new innovative wine system Coravin of catering professionals. He was sommelier at the former Spanish three-star restaurant elBulli for five years.
About Martijn Verbruggen and Stefan Verleer
Martijn Verbruggen (34) worked as a master-sommelier in (star) restaurants as Savelberg, Seinpost and Catch by Simonis. Stefan Verleer (34) worked as a manager and maître-sommelier at restaurants Zoute Zoen and South of Houston.
Opening hours
Bouzy, Wine & Food is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 to 23:00 o’clock. Next to the regular opening days there will be regularly activities on Sundays.
KOST event to promote a healthy Dutch cuisine
18-9-2015
KOST is an event about the Dutch food culture for everyone who cares about our daily foods. The first edition will take place on 21 September.
Dutch cuisine
Chefs, producers, scientists, farmers and policymakers explore the possibilities to put the Dutch food culture and Dutch cuisine firmly on the map and make it healthier. They will do that together with speakers like Kobe Desramaults, Robert Kranenborg, Julian Baggini, Linda Roodenburg and Martin Caraher during the KOST event on 21 September at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam.
Platform ‘Van Moeder Natuur’
KOST is an initiative by the ‘Van Moeder Natuur’ platform (freely translated as the ‘Mother nature platform’). The platform focuses on a healthy Dutch food culture. This includes enjoying healthy, delicious and natural products packed with nutrients. Next to that, it means making time for food again by home cooking and enjoying meals together.
Day program
During the day program interesting topics are addressed. The program is compiled by various well know curators from the Dutch food culture like Mac van Dinther, Joris Bijdendijk, Joris Lohman, Samuel Levie and Helen Kranstauber).
Kostelijk dinner
In the evening there is a Kostelijk dinner (translated: Delicious dinner). The chefs responsible for the dinner are Joris Bijdendijk (RIJKS®), Albert Kooy (Dutch Cuisine), Luc Kusters (Bolenius), Benny Blisto (BAK), Sander Louwerens (Citroen), Willem Schaafsma (Eindeloos), Jonathan Karpathios (Vork en Mes), Geert Burema (Merkelbach), Nel Schellekens (de Gulle Waard), Dick Soek (Piloersemaborg) Eef Bolado (As) and René van der Veer (De Veldkeuken). Drinks are arranged by Niek Beute (De Klepel) and Ard Muntjewerf (The Lobby).
A delicious program. Unfortunately, it’s merely in Dutch and both the day program as well as the dinner are completely sold out.
Grocery store Christmas Festival in Utrecht by Albert Heijn
16-9-2015
The grocery store chain ‘Albert Heijn’ organizes a Christmas festival by the name of its instore magazine.
Allerhande Christmas Festival
Albert Heijn is organizing a major food event in Utrecht on 11th, 12th and 13th of December. The food festival is called ‘Allerhande Kerstfestival’ and is located at the Railway Museum in Utrecht. The event is scaled to 40,000 visitors and is a logical continuation of the recent food festivals popping up all over the country.
Workshops and inspiration
Visitors can inspire themselves by tasting food and drinks and get help from experts during various cooking workshops. Saskia Egas Reparaz, director of marketing & format of Albert Heijn explains the choice of the food festival: “Christmas is an old festival where every family has its own traditions and customs. We celebrate Christmas for 128 years already and help our customers every year again with new ideas, inspiration and lots of special Christmas products. This year, we want to offer our customers something extra with the ‘Allerhande Kerstfestival’. It’s the tastiest inspirational event for the holidays. In preparation for Christmas, anyone can gain additional ideas to create his or her own special Christmas.”
From drinks to dessert
With the Allerhande Christmas Festival, visitors of all ages can get in the mood for Christmas and inspire themselves for the Christmas dinner. They can literally walk through the menu from starter to dessert and taste, participate in workshops, watch live cooking sessions by renowned chefs and get tips from experts.
Christmas Shop
Everything at the festival can be bought at the special Christmas store or can be delivered home or pre-ordered at Albert Heijn grocery stores. Besides inspiration, the event is meant for entertainment and fun. The Winter Wonderland stage includes a ‘wish tree’, a winter barbecue and market stalls. Furthermore there is live music, an ice rink and mulled wine.
Ticket Sales
The tickets are for sale from 5 October and cost ten euros per person. Registration for the cooking workshops is done online via allerhandekerstfestival.nl.
Amazon free take-out delivery
15-9-2015
Amazon starts with one hour free take-out delivery for premium members in Seattle.
Free take-out delivery
Online retailer Amazon.com Inc. has begun a free take-out delivery service. Amazon Prime members get free delivery on their take-out orders from dozens of outlets and receive them within the hour. The Amazon Prime service costs $ 99 per year.
Delivery of beer, wine and spirits
A few weeks ago Amazon already announced that they began with one-hour delivery of beer, wine and spirits in Seattle. The city is the only place in America where customers can order beer and spirits via fast mail-order. In the rest of the country the delivery is limited to wine. Amazon offers a fast delivery service for alcohol in London already.
Growth of the delivery market
With the rapid deliveries Amazon wants to compete with restaurant delivery parties like GrubHub. The American GrubHub is comparable to the Dutch ‘Thuisbezorgd.nl’. The company delivers take-out meals from 30,000 local restaurants and has customers in 800 American cities. Americans spend an estimated 70 billion dollar on takeaway and delivery meals in 2013. With such numbers offering a one hour delivery service for take-out pays off. In March 2015, total sales in restaurants and bars was higher than the grocery market (!) for the first time. With the expansion of the delivery market, restaurants can increase sales at peak times, without adding extra seats.
Slow Cow relaxation drink
11-9-2015
The Slow Cow relaxation drink clears the mind.
Slow Cow was developed by three hyperactive stressful entrepreneurs. They sought, and found, an alternative to energy drinks. A drink to help relax, focus and concentrate. Together with various partners and investors they launched Slow Cow in Canada in 2008.
Slow Cow ingredients and effect
Slow Cow promotes the feeling of natural tranquillity. The drink does not cause sleepiness or fatigue and isn’t the opposite of an energy drink at all. Slow Cow was developed in Quebec, Canada. The drink contains almost no calories, no caffeine, no sugar and no preservatives. It does contain extracts of green tea, valerian, chamomile, passionflower, lime blossom, lemon grass, potassium and sodium.
Alternative
The creator present the soda as an alternative to every day’s hectic pace, the adrenaline and race against the clock. In terms of taste it could have been a bit less sweet in our opinion. That will probably be due to our limited energy drink consumption normally. It is certainly an interesting alternative to high school students who are regularly hyper on the caffeine and sugar bombs that they consume in large amounts.
Mascot
Slow Cow mascot Harry plays a leading role in the promotional campaign. His mission is to help the Dutch people to relax in their increasingly stressful daily life. Through his discoveries, he reminds us constantly about his message “It is important and urgent to adopt a cool lifestyle.” Harry is the champion of ‘cool’ and relax. He embodies calmness in all situations.
