Domino’s® is Plowing for Pizza | Snowy roads shouldn’t get in the way of hot pizza
12-12-2023
As an innovative response to winter snow challenges, Domino’s Pizza in America is introducing the campaign, ‘Plowing for Pizza’. This particular initiative aims to ensure that, even under harsh winter conditions, hot pizza delivery will continue in certain zip code areas. The philosophy behind it: by contributing to snowplows from 20 cities, Domino’s Pizza is contributing to the ability to deliver quickly in wintry weather. In America, local businesses also often contribute to bits of road maintenance.
Winning Foods | Belgian startup starts trial of their ‘Lego for food’
11-12-2023
Winning Foods from Belgian entrepreneurial duo Jef Cavens and Frederik Van Dessel is launching their promising mealprep startup ‘Lego for food’ for their first customers. Winning Foods supplies frozen building blocks to assemble meals – ‘like Lego’. Currently, the first 30 test families are ordering Winning Foods packages and switching to this innovative and healthy lifestyle. Winning Foods is providing 16 building blocks, with 60 possible recipes and will expand their ‘Lego for food’ campaign on a larger scale in 2024.
Trends we spotted | Week 49
11-12-2023
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:
- An emission-free and energy-efficient coffee roasting line will be built in Belgium – a collaboration between Sucafina, Beyers Koffie and the Belgian cleantech company CEE.
- A recent study by the University of Wageningen researched the Dutch supermarket sector and reports a significant decrease in food waste.
- SVH (The Dutch foundation for professionalism in the catering industry) has announced the Top 3 Best Hospitality Training Companies and Best Trainers for 2023/2024.
- Fletcher Hotels, the largest hotel chain in the Netherlands, expands with the acquisition of Hotel Restaurant Oud London in Zeist.
- Mercure Hotels celebrates its 50th anniversary with the launch of ‘Discover Local: The Bucket List Edition’, a selection of 50 unique culinary experiences worldwide.
- Relais & Châteaux, a leading association of world-class chefs, has committed to protecting the critically endangered European eel by immediately removing it from their menus. #EELNOTANKYOU
- From Instagram: Christmas tree croissants as a festive delight; espresso Romano and gilded holiday splendor at Le Bristol Paris.
Enjoy reading!
After Dinner Sip | Extend the holidays and skip your dip
8-12-2023
On December 28 and 29, there probably isn’t a whole lot on your calendar. The days between Christmas and the turn of the year are generally days to recover from Christmas and prepare for a festive end to the year. To make these days even more fun you can go to ‘After Dinner Sip’ in Utrecht this year.
A party to make the dip between Christmas and New Year’s Eve more fun and one of the last parties before the start of the healthy or vegan January regime!
A new spin off by McDonald’s, CosMc’s
8-12-2023
In August of this year we read about the first rumours that McDonald’s would introduce a new spin off called CosMc’s. Now the news is in the open and they started to trial in the first location Bolingbrook, Illinois. It’s opening today! The concept is based on CosMc, a McDonald’s-craving space alien, who first appeared as a character in the late 80’s and early 90’s promotional advertisements. CosMc’s is a new small-format, beverage-led concept that’s inspired by nostalgia and powered by a menu of bold, refreshing beverages and tasty treats.
The Berkeley offers a gift-wrapping service this December
8-12-2023
The Berkeley launched its very own gift-wrapping service for Christmas shoppers as we enter the busiest time of the year. From gifts big to small, little and large, guests staying at The Berkeley will have access to the hotel’s Wrapper in Residence throughout the month of December.
A great small gesture for the guests of The Berkeley Hotel in London! Inspiration for luxury hotels in other shopping areas? And if you stay at this hotel. check out Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley most certainly if you have a sweet-tooth.
Taco Bell at Home | Limited-edition ‘Taco Bell SOS kits’ for students
8-12-2023
As finals season begins across college campuses nationwide, thousands of students find themselves without a Taco Bell® restaurant within walking distance – leaving them in distress when study session cravings hit. Recently Taco Bell at Home came to the rescue with the new ‘Taco Bell SOS Kits’, designed to give students on these campuses the mouthwatering Taco Bell goodness, even without a restaurant nearby. The kit features the newest Taco Bell at Home essentials from Kraft Heinz to recreate fan-favorite menu items.
Great idea to focus on students in their finals season!
During the holidays it snows fresh ‘Brammetjes’ at Bram Ladage
7-12-2023
During the holiday season everyone is always busy and part of it is last minute Christmas shopping in crowded and busy shopping streets. Bram Ladage, known for its delicious fries, is giving shoppers in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) a great surprise this December. “To surprise our Bram fans while shopping, we sprinkle the month of December with free ‘Brammetjes’ or in English Bramlets. To warm up while shopping, or to give away to family or friends under the Christmas tree. Convenient, because then you don’t have to go into the stores for other presents,” says Isabeau Ladage, responsible for the marketing.
Now on Airbnb | Spend the holidays at Santa’s Official Post Office
7-12-2023
Santa’s Official Post Office in Rovaniemi, Finland, is expected to receive over 30,000 letters daily from children and adults around the world this year. In a bid to attract novice elves, a magical cabin stay has been listed on Airbnb for guests – free of charge – to roll up their sleeves, lend a hand with the backlog of letters and experience the joy of the holiday season from the Arctic Circle. Booking for this special festive stay opens December 11 at airbnb.com/santa. Check out the exact time it opens in the article.
Classic unboxing experience at McDonald’s | Adult Happy Meal
5-12-2023
Last year McDonald’s gave their now adult fans the change to relive the feeling of opening a Happy Meal® box to see the surprises inside. The Cactus Plant Flea Market Box in the U.S. was the first Adult Happy Meal, this year they sparkle the nostalgic joy with the help of the visionary artist Kerwin Frost and some very special Buddies.
Heavenly dining in the unique church interior of restaurant G7 in Sittard
30-11-2023
The G7 restaurant in Sittard (in the south of the Netherlands), located in the Gruizenkerkje (church) from 1634, has a new interior. With a mix of old church elements, modern comforts and international allure, is the interior unique for Sittard and matches the cooking level and ambitions of the owners Danny Meijers and Rik Opstals better.
Great idea to eat out in a church during the festive month of December, otherwise I’m sure too but the ambiance in the church is probably magical now. There are many more little churches where you can eat, like for example: Noor in Groningen, Bunk Amsterdam and Utrecht (you can also stay overnight here) and, for example, De Kleine Toren in Baarland and many more.
Celebrate Christmas in a church | Bunk Amsterdam and Utrecht
30-11-2023
The festive season at Bunk Amsterdam and Utrecht is about to kick off. Both locations will host events and Christmas dinners throughout December, adapted to the festive time of year. You are guaranteed a warm, cosy and lively atmosphere at both Bunk’s churches. The original cultural program perfectly complements the December month and holiday period. What remains unchanged is the typically approachable Bunk vibe. Everyone is welcome to experience the creativity and sense of community.
Trends we spotted | Week 47
28-11-2023
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 article about among others:
- A beautiful cake; a great idea for shared dining dessert for your Christmas dinner.
- The Christmas tree of the Pulitzer hotel in Amsterdam has been decorated by ROKSANDA.
- We wonder when the first branch of BelChicken, a fast-growing Belgian chain, will open in the Netherlands.
- For the seventh edition of Hertog Jan Grand Prestige Vatgerijpt, the four variants pay tribute to the shared craftsmanship behind distinctive Latin American distillates.
- In the US, autonomous robotic kiosks powered by Blendid technology selling smoothies with Thor’s Skyr will soon open.
- Sodexo, a global leader in quality-of-life services, is expanding its partnership with Bear Robotics to facilitate patient care.
- Mandarin Oriental hotels are taking their wellness to the next level while promoting mindfulness, silence and a digital detox. On 13 December, they will celebrate their ‘Silent Night’.
Enjoy reading!
Latte Art socks | Heartwarming socks promotion from Bagels & Beans
27-11-2023
During the month December, Bagels & Beans in the Netherlands will be sharing their warmth in a very special way. In addition to bagels, coffee & happiness, they will now also literally share ‘warmth’. They will do so with something that many take for granted: a pair of socks.
For the heartwarming campaign ‘Who will you give warm feet? Share the warmth!” Bagels & Beans has joined forces with ‘Let’s do Goods’ and created unique Latte Art socks. For every pair of Latte Art socks sold, Bagels & Beans and ‘Let’s do Goods’ will donate a pair of socks to someone who desperately needs them. The goal is to work together with all bagel fans to provide as much warm feet as possible to homeless people in the Netherlands.
Update January 15: As a result of the December campaign ‘Who do you give warm feet? Share the warmth!’ Bagels & Beans has donated 5,000 pairs of new socks to homeless people in the Netherlands. In the week of January 8, the special donation socks were handed over to the Salvation Army locations in Utrecht, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
ROAM & Desert Inn Pub opens at Carlton Oasis Spijkenisse
24-11-2023
Reopening – During the grand opening of the completely renovated restaurant ROAM & Desert Inn Pub, Carlton Oasis in Spijkenisse welcomed guests and locals to a renewed hospitality experience where everyone is welcome.
Pop-up Vogue Café on national day against violence against women
23-11-2023
Vogue is opening Vogue Café for the first time ever in the Netherlands, in collaboration with ‘StandUp’ by L’Oreal Paris. The two are joining forces on National Day Against Violence Against Women to draw attention to street harassment. The café will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on November 25th and will feature special performances such as a performance by spoken word artist Zaire Krieger and singer Bente.
Art of Travel | Louis Vuitton X Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2023
23-11-2023
We love the tradition of Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel, to have their Christmas Tree decorated by a, as they call it, long-time friend of the hotel. We have articles on many of their Christmas Trees decorated by famous designer friends, like for example Christian Louboutin in 2019 and Karl Lagerfeld back in 2017. This year it’s Louis Vuitton and we love their Art of Travel theme!
The Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2023 by Louis Vuitton brings together two illustrious names who have long celebrated the Art of Travel and crossed paths throughout their respective histories after both being founded in 1854.
Maison ELLE | Trendy French life in the heart of Amsterdam
21-11-2023
Located in the Anna van den Vondelstraat, in the heart of Amsterdam, the hotel Maison ELLE Amsterdam will receive its first guests mid-December. This is the second worldwide establishment of the prestigious and successful Maison ELLE and the first outside of France.
After5 | Women meeting women during a fun night out
21-11-2023
After5 brings together women who have never met before at some of the hottest restaurants in the city in an effort to ease the friendship-making process. Whether you want to meet up with new people in your city or just want a girls night out, it has never been easier to do so! Via the platform After5, you book a seat at the table, the rest will be arranged by them!
Is your restaurant or hotel offering a ‘Black Friday’ deal?
21-11-2023
Is your mailbox also filled with a flood of ‘Black Friday’ deals? Your social media feeds and the internet probably as well. However, there are very few ‘Black Friday’ deals from restaurants and hotels among them. Too bad! We have searched for some examples of how, as marketing for restaurants and hotels, you and your guests can benefit from real ‘Black Friday’ deals.
Thai Kitchen to the World | 4-hands dinner by Chris Naylor and Keng Vichianrat
20-11-2023
On Tuesday evening December 5th, Thailand’s top chef Keng Vichianrat and master chef Chris Naylor of Restaurant Vermeer will join forces for a Thai-Dutch dinner. It is an initiative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand and part of the three days of Thai National Day festivities. The event is part of Thai Kitchen to the World, a long-term project promoting Thai cuisine, gastronomy and ingredients worldwide.
Trends we spotted | Week 46
20-11-2023
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 among others:
- McDonald’s X Crocs – a collaboration resulting in very special crocs.
- ‘Ravioles du Dauphine’, the recently opened Café Chelsea, which belongs to Hotel Chelsea in NYC, decided to put this classic dish on its menu.
- The Disney Treasure is Disney’s sixth themed cruise ship, with touches of well-known classics like ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Star Wars’ on board.
- It’s the season of perfume commercials! Absolut and Kahlúa launched an espresso martini perfume in collaboration with Imaginary Authors, and Nestle Toll House decided to launch ‘freshly baked biscuits’-skincare products with skincare brand Beekman 1802.
- The first location of restaurant Kernel is opening in New York next year. They will use robots to serve meat-free dishes.
- Fletcher Hotels in the Netherlands adjusted its policy on action vouchers in consultation with the Dutch Consumers’ Association.
- A new flavour combination from Heinz – Pickle Ketchup. Available in early 2024.
- The Connaught hotel in Mayfair has unveiled its legendary Christmas tree, decorated this year by the British artist and sculptor Rachel Whiteread.
Enjoy reading!
The Beersecco from Lowlander | A sparkling blend
17-11-2023
Good news for all the beer and wine lovers: Lowlander launches world’s first ever Beersecco (6.8%) and mixes beer and prosecco in the same bottle. A sparkling blend, brewed with botanicals. The result? Fresh, dry, a prominent grape flavour, herbal, citrus and a fluffy foam layer. A perfect alternative for a festive toast!
Hotel Kapellerput participates in Clean the World’s Global Hospitality Program
16-11-2023
With a focus on recycling, waste reduction, energy efficiency and ethical sourcing, hotel Kapellerput is a beacon of eco-friendly practices. They are now participating in the Clean the World’s Global Hospitality Program. A sustainable partnership for positive change.
Bols Cocktail Academy | Reopening after renovation
16-11-2023
Bols known as the world’s first cocktail brand is reopening the Bols Cocktail Academy in Amsterdam after a renovation. With the expansion to 21 high-end cocktail stations, ambitious, driven bartenders and entrepreneurs can improve their knowledge and skills in a brand new, professional and international academy. The Academy is ready for the future!
Become a co-owner of craft beer brewery Jopen in Haarlem
Become a co-owner of craft beer brewery Jopen in Haarlem
Michel Ordeman and Lydian Zoetman - owners of craft beer brewery Jopen
