Artworks at a very detailed level
8-5-2014
In museums visitors can’t get really close to an art piece, which makes it difficult to observe every detail of a painting. ‘Museo del Prado’ in Spain created, in partnership with ‘Madpixel’, the app ‘Second Canvas Museo del Prado’. The app allows visitors to view the masterpieces at a very detailed level. The app features a zoom function, show the sketches behind the painting, gives the story behind the artworks and more…
Hospitality Waste Coach
8-5-2014
The web application ‘Hospitality Waste Coach’ helps restaurants to register food waste. The web application gives an overview of which products are wasted, the quantity, the costs and the reason why. It helps entrepreneurs to control the food waste. The application is available on Apple and Android and is intended for restaurants, caterers and other institutions that prepare food. An app that makes it easier to contribute to social responsibility. Besides the hospitality version there is also a consumer version.
Wine bottle of recycled cardboard
7-5-2014
Truett-Hurst winery has developed a 100% recyclable bottle in partnership with Ecologic Brands. Paperboy Wine is made of recycled cardboard, featuring a plastic liner and is developed by Greenbottle. The cardboard bottle is 80% lighter than a wine bottle of glass and the carbon footprint is 67 percent less than that of glass containers. Besides the lighter weight, the insulation keeps wine cooler longer.
Six starred dinner
7-5-2014
On Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 May guests can enjoy the ‘Six starred dinner’ in the Paterskerk (church) in Weert, the Netherlands. Four chefs from Weert (Emmanuel Mertens**, Pascal Jalhay**, Soenil Bahadoer* and Jan Marrees*) will each prepare their own signature dish. The dinner is part of the activities around the celebration of Weert 600 years city.
Canei Hugo
7-5-2014
Wine brand Canei introduces a new flavor this summer: Hugo. Hugo originates from Northern Italy and is a combination of sparkling wine, elderflower, lime and mint. The drink is very popular in the ski areas. The premix variant Canei Hugo is fresh, fruity and has a surprising taste. The Canei Hugo contains only 5% alcohol and is a great terrace aperitif served with ice cubes, fresh mint and a slice of lime.
Presentation tip asparagus
6-5-2014
At the moment we are at the climax of the asparagus season and it’s lovely to see all the creative recipes passing by. Last weekend I’ve challenged myself with the presentation of an asparagus dish and this is the result. ^Armand
Youngsters eat with discount in gastronomic restaurants
6-5-2014
Youngsters between 18 and 25 years can indulge themselves with an all-inclusive 3-course menu for € 40,- during the JRE Springbreak. The week, from 19 to 25 May is an initiative by Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe (JRE). The top restaurants that participate are Restaurant ML* in Haarlem, Restaurant One* in Roermond, HanTing* in The Hague, ‘t Vlasbloemeken* (Koewacht) and many others. See the website www.jrespringbreak.nl for more information and reservations.
Radisson Blu 24hr Running Marathon
6-5-2014
The Radisson Blu Hotel in Amsterdam organizes a 24-hours treadmill Running Marathon in the lobby from 9 May 17.00 o’clock. During the event employees, guests and hotel aqcuaintances collect money for the World Childhood Foundation. During the 24-hours there are supporting events like a sponsor drink and a Running Dinner. See the Facebook page for more information.
Roots and Bulbs
5-5-2014
Juice bar Roots & Bulbs opened its doors in February 2014 in the heart of Marylebone, London. The juice bar sells cold pressed juices, that are fresh and unpasteurized thus more nutritious. The cold press method gives the juices an authentic flavor with a higher concentration of nutrients. Roots & Bulbs also sells smoothies with superfood, take-away superfood salads, organic snacks and organic coconut water and almond mild. The juice bar also provides a detox juice plan called ‘Time Out’ with five bottles of cold juices, two almond milk and a package of organic nuts for one to two days.
Interactive high-tech lamp
5-5-2014
The Epiphany hotel in Palo Alto has a very special chandelier in its lobby. The high-tech lamp is designed by IDEO Digital Shop and consists of hundreds of light bulbs that can all move and illuminate interdependently. The lamp responds to data streams of online media such as social media and information from the internet. When someone posts a message about the hotel on Facebook or Twitter the lamp responds, but the lamp also gives a reflection of the weather. The lamp also response to movements in the hotel, for example when someone walks up the stairs.
2014 FIFA World Cup champagne
5-5-2014
The exclusive champagne served in the VIP-boxes during the FIFA World Cup 2014 is also available in the Netherlands. FIFA worked together with Taittinger to introduce the special World Cup 2014 edition of the popular Brut Réserve Champagne: the Taittinger official champagne of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This limited edition has a label with 3D effects that make it look like footballs are literally shooting from the bottle. In cooperation with distributor Wine4Business the Taittinger official champagne of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is also available in the Netherlands through www.wkchampagne.nl.
Waffogato by Dominique Ansel
2-5-2014
After the Cronut™ and the Milk & Cookie shot, Dominique Ansel introduces his newest creation the Waffogato. The Waffogato is a combination between a waffle and the classic Italian dessert affogato. Affogato is made of vanilla ice-cream topped with a hot shot of espresso, one of his favorite desserts. The chef wanted to create a dessert served during breakfast and came up with the Waffogato: a combination of sweet, salty and bitter. It’s not actually a waffle but Tahitian vanilla ice-cream in the form of a waffle made with bits of Belgium waffle, pearl sugar for the crunch and a little sea salt. The ice cream is topped with hot maple syrup spiked espresso. Tapioca pearls release from the waffle when it melts and give the dish more texture. The Waffogato will be sold in his bakery from Friday, 9 May.
Time-saving check-in at Accor Hotels
2-5-2014
Accor Hotels introduces its newest worldwide online check-in-system where guests will save time during their arrival and departure. After the guest made his booking (via the website, mobile application or phone) he is supposed to check-in online two days before arrival. On the day of arrival the guest will receive a SMS with the room confirmation, practical information and a notification that the key is ready. The guest only has to pick up the key at the reception, to check-out the guest needs to give the key back to the reception and will receive an invoice by email. At the end of 2014 the system will be implemented at more than 30% of the hotels.
Pizza Taco
1-5-2014
Boston Pizza has launched a new marketing campaign named ‘Pizza Game Changers’. Through the new website, pizza lovers can order some new menu items and they can vote for new pizza innovations. Some innovation ideas are pizza mints, a pizza cake and a pizza protector. One of the new menu items is the Pizza Taco. The Pizza Taco is a small pizza available in chicken/bacon or pullet pork and is shaped into a taco shell. The pizza taco shell is filled with salad, vegetables and sauce. Perhaps a lot easier to eat. The new menu items are available until 1 June.
Restaurants with a blend of history
1-5-2014
Thrillist.com gives an overview of 21 restaurants and bars converted from different buildings. Like ‘The Airplane Restaurant’, a restaurant located in a 1953 US Air Force Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker. Or the ‘Crop Bar and Bistro’, a gigantic 1925 bank with marble columns rebuilt into a restaurant with high-end dishes and an open kitchen. The video above is from ‘The Liberty’ in Boston. Previously this building was a gigantic prison, built in 1851. After a massive renovation, the building converted into a hotel with five chic restaurants and bars. Take a look at the complete list here.
Donate oversized food portions
1-5-2014
It often happens that restaurant guests not eat their whole dish, because the dish was larger than they expected. The German Food Bank ‘Düsseldorf table’ and agency ‘Ogilvy & Mather Germany’ launched the campaign ‘All you Can Eat’. Participating restaurants can place a sticker on the menu next to the dishes that tend to be served larger than guests can estimate. Guests have the option to choose for a smaller portion at the same price. The saved money will be donated to the food bank.
Vega pop-up about to sprout in Amsterdam
30-4-2014
Friedjof Kempenaar initiated a vega pop-up restaurant in Rotterdam on 11, 12 and 13 April and is now aiming for our capital. Although he is not a vegetarian, he is intrigued by cooking without fish and meat and is convinced that the available vegan dishes in restaurants deserve an uprgade. While he is looking for a location in Amsterdam to sit 70 people per evening, you can delight yourself with an impression of the latest edition here.
Online menu
30-4-2014
It’s actually strange in the hospitality industry; there is quite a stir around guest taking pictures of their dishes. Some chefs and their guests are annoyed by the flashes of the cameras, others go a step further and give guests the opportunity to shoot a perfect picture! Yet there are still a few restaurants that showcase their dishes on the website, the menu is usually hidden in a pdf file. Weird in a time where young people (particularly up to 35 years) communicate through pictures (Instagram).
Online Menu wants to change this. They place your dishes with photos on the homepage . In addition, they provide insights in your potential guests and audience. Guests will also have the opportunity to write a review. On the website guests can filter the online menu labels and ingredients, see how other guests rate the dish and have a look at combined side dishes or drinks that were combined with the menu. A reservation module is build in. This system can be used to increase the service; it is in fact linked to a reservation website. Nice to know that the Smith family is coming for dinner for the 10th time.. And you could offer them a menu with their favorite dishes.
Creative terrace by Tinus Teder
30-4-2014
Last November Hudson Bar & Kitchen opened in Rotterdam. The restaurant starts the outdoor season appropriately by opening a special art terrace. Artist Tinus Teder took the look and feel of the restaurant to the terrace and was inspired by contemporary culture, love of life and street culture. His style is characterized by influences from pop art of the 60s.
Biological meat via mail-order
29-4-2014
Aukje Visser and Gerbrand Nicolai from Dokkum (The Netherlands) started with selling biological meat online. Even better, all the biological meat they sell comes from the Netherlands and their beef comes from farmers in Friesland they personally know. By using special techniques the entrepreneurs can guarantee that the meat is chilled for at least 48 hours and is sent by regular mail-order.
Favorite night snack worldwide
29-4-2014
Buzzfeed made a video with an overview of the most populair midnight snacks after going out. The Netherlands isn’t mentioned, what is our most populair drunken dish?
The crown of Holland
28-4-2014
The most northern part of North Holland gets its own local market under the name of ‘De Kroon van Holland’ (translated as The Crown of Holland) on 3 and 4 May . For tasty snacks from the region, local gems and local quality produce visitors can go to Anna Paulowna. During the weekend there are several demonstrations and workshops. There is for instance a BBQ workshop by Andy McDonald from ‘Echte Stokers’ in Schagen, Andrea van Lieshout teaches you how to create delicious dishes with Texel Asparagus and Ans van den Burg shows how to make real Wieringer Shrimp croquettes. Both Saturday and Sunday closes with a local produce dinner. Sign up for the workshops via www.facebook.com/kroonvanholland.
Perfect Serve Barshow
28-4-2014
On 12 and 13 May 2014, the first Dutch fair by and for bartenders will be held under the title “The Perfect Serve Barshow”. The Westerliefde and WesterUnie in Amsterdam are the stage for seminars, tastings and competitions with ‘guest experience’ as communal interest. A sneak peek in the program shows that Steve Okhuysen, bartender and owner of Old Fashioned Cocktail & Absinthe Bar in Ghent, Belgium will tell about the mythical Absinthe and Andrew Nicholls will elaborate on the diversity, quality and versatility of rum with the Authentic Caribbean Rum label. See the full program here.
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.
Magneet Visual® signs
25-4-2014
To promote the buffet, caterer Albron uses Magneet Visual® signs at Center Parcs. The sign works with a magnetized sub layer and a top layer with printed images on PVC-free foil that contain an iron coating. At Albron Center Parcs two layers of Magneet Visual® are used, one with a chalkboard-look, the second consists out of outline cut products that can be manually adjusted. The system is developed by BSB Reclame.
