Pizza like ice cream on a stick
10-10-2013
A real Italian promotional short film, a bit old fashioned, but the product is innovative. The Italian company Hasta La Pizza has introduced ‘pizza on a stick’ on the Anuga fair in Cologne. It is designed for the on-the-go market. Hasta la Pizza is available in the flavors Margherita, ham and salami, in packs of 60 grams. Gerardo Acampora came up with the concept two years ago when he saw two boys on the beach. One ate a slice of pizza, the other an ice cream on a stick. That gave him the idea to combine the two. He went to work and four months later he applied for a patent. You can warm them in a toaster or in the oven and the makers promise that the pizza’s won’t leak tomato sauce and you will not get dirty fingers. Hasta la Pizza offers ‘pizza on a stick’ in license to producers from outside Italy.
‘s-Hertogenbosch is most welcoming city again
9-10-2013
This article is only available in Dutch:
Den Haag, 9 oktober 2013 – ‘s-Hertogenbosch is voor de vierde keer op rij uitgeroepen tot Meest Gastvrije Stad. Net als de afgelopen drie jaar kreeg de Brabantse hoofdstad dit jaar de hoogste waarderingscijfers van haar bezoekers.
Op basis van uitgebreid onderzoek, uitgevoerd door VVV Nederland en Van Spronsen & Partners horeca – advies, is de gastvrijheidsbeleving van ruim 8.000 bezoekers van de 21 grootste steden van ons land voor de vijfde maal in kaart gebracht. Lees verder.
Brugal Refreshingly Dry Bar
9-10-2013
Brugal rum from the Dominican Republic is celebrating their 125th birthday! To celebrate this they have challenged bartenders from the Netherlands to create their own Brugal Dry cocktail recipe and to create a concept for a Brugal Refreshingly Dry Bar. From all entries 10 bartenders were selected from witch the jury will taste their cocktail. Three finalists will continue and decide who makes the best cocktail and came up with a great concept on the 21st of October in hotel Droog (Amsterdam). The winner wins his or her own Refreshingly Dry Bar for a night in hotel Droog. They can invite their friends and Wyane Collins – an internationally renowned and award winning bart trainer – will join as colleague.
Your entry 24 hours in the sunlight
9-10-2013
Drawing the attention of all passersby, the vegan restaurant Rayen at Lope de Vega street in Madrid creatively redesigned its store entrance facade. The installation is titled (fos), which means “light” in the Greek language, and “melted” in Catalan. The entry of this small eatery invites their passersby to stop and step into the ‘spotlight’. Created by Eleni Karpatsi, Susan Piquer and Julio Calvo, the (fos) trio. The team introduced an unique installation that paints the illusion of an artificial light beam shining from above. Effectively highlighting the restaurant front door for 4 days and nights, was made using yellow tape, pineapples, a lamp, and painted pieces of art and lawn furniture. At the Facebookpage from the (fos) trio, you can find a lot of inspirational pictures.
Dutch hospitality game
8-10-2013
Late September, our colleagues Lennert Rietveld and Laura Stoter got introduced to the Dutch board game ‘Gastologie’. Jeannine Sok who developed the game together with students from the ‘Cas Spijkers Academy Twente’, played the game with visitors during the event ‘Gastvrij Rotterdam’. Nice to play the game with your staff or to use it to increase the Hospitality level that you want your guest to experience in your business.
Hotel Mitland uses the HotelBooQi
8-10-2013
Recently our managing director, Hans van Spronsen, wrote a column ‘Generation 0.0’ from witch we quote the following paragraph, ” Maybe the fact that the majority of hotel guests in the middle and upper segment is older than 40 years and is not active on the social media. That’s why I’m always amazed when I see that these hotels have a Facebook page and are very active on Twitter. Who are you trying to reach? Not the target audience, I think. We do not read tweets or likes.” In his column which is published in a Dutch magazine he explains that this generation checks all the reviews at bookings.com or Tripadvisor and that hotelmanagers better check these reviews at a daily base and react to the reviews in a personal way.
Hotel Mitland in Utrecht is responding with the introduction of the hotelBooQi . This communication tool , a folding flyer credit card size , serves as a holder for the room key, contains practical information about staying in the hotel and a map with landmarks. The hotel thinks that despite the attendance of mobile applications, that at this moment in time it is still more effective to inform their guests this way. This in addition to the information on their website and taking into account the 0.0 generation. Besides that the unfolding of the HotelBooQi is still faster than downloading and opening an application.
King Kong Hostel
8-10-2013
The boutique hostel King Kong in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, will open in the first quarter of 2014. The 5 meter high loft offers extraordinary sleeping facilities. There are ‘huts’ between the roof beams to hammocks and cozy niches and normal two, four and six person rooms as well. The hostel accommodates a total of 150 beds.
Festivals in bungalowparks sold out
7-10-2013
All the bungalows at bungalowpark ‘De Eemhof’ are fully booked from 7 to 9 February 2014. Organizer ‘Meubelstukken’ only needed a week to archieve this, giving previous visitors the first chance to book their bungalow.
Party organization Loveland announced its ‘Loveland weekender’ bungalow festival in September. This festival, located at Roompot bungalowpark Weerterbergen in Limburg from 4 to 6 April was sold-out in only 24 hours.
The Italian restaurant in the picture
4-10-2013
Unfortunately this article is only available in Dutch.
De Italiaanse restaurants kenden in 2013 de sterkste groei van alle restauranttypen in Nederland. Er kwamen 55 nieuwe Italiaanse restaurants bij. Over een periode van 5 jaar groeide het aantal Italiaanse restaurants met bijna 14%. Ook over een periode van tien jaar zien we een zelfde ontwikkeling met een aanwas van 576 bedrijven. Hierdoor nam het marktaandeel van Italiaanse restaurants de afgelopen tien jaar toe naar in totaal 12% van de totale restaurantmarkt. Deze positieve ontwikkeling wordt mede veroorzaakt door de opkomst van Italiaanse fast casual concepten. Desondanks staat de gemiddelde besteding onder druk. Dit blijkt uit het brancheonderzoek ‘Het Italiaanse restaurant in beeld’ van Van Spronsen & Partners horeca – advies uit Warmond. Bekijk het volledige artikel hier of download het onderzoek
Warning for tourists in New York
4-10-2013
A warning with a wink for all tourists who will be visiting NY in the coming period. This hilarious movie should be mandatory for tourists to prevent sidewalk-clogging, by tourist taking pictures while wearing tracksuits. According to New Yorkers tourists need to learn how to behave. And Johnny T, tells about all the jerky things tourist do in NY and tells the basic tenets of not-obnoxious touristing. At the expense of large restaurant chains (although again with a touch of humor) the creators ‘Glove and Boots’ refer to smaller restaurants to eat. He also recommends that out-of-towners stay in their hotels between the hours of 4 and 6pm, when residents are trying to get home. Just another way to put your city in the picture ;-).
Small gestures in hospitality 2
4-10-2013
With the publication of “Small gestures in hospitality” we want to provide hospitality entrepreneurs with hospitable gestures that are usable without having to make large investments.
We have examples from the Hotel Mainport in Rotterdam, The Mark Hotel in New York, het Pulitzer hotel in Amsterdam and the Palais Hansen Kempinski in Vienna. Download the free publication here.
Proefwerk
3-10-2013
We are full of prejudices when it comes to food, this unfortunately affects our kids as well. In their eyes something can instantly be disgusting or weird. At ‘Proefwerk’ children are challenged to do blind tastings and describe the taste of for instance a cucumber or a raisin. Because the children built up confidence during the tastings initiator Fleur Derogee often ends with exciting insect tastings. ‘Proefwerk’ takes place at the Future Food House during the World Food Festival in Rotterdam and starts every half hour on Wednesday from 13.00 – 17.00 o’clock.
Badoit transforms the Rue de Rivoli in a Rue de la Gastronomie
2-10-2013
In September 2013 the French water brand Badoit did a sequel on the marketing stunt Badoit express of 2012. In cooperation with Chef Thierry Marx** the lucky drivers of the Rue de Rivoli were surprised with a first-class gastronomic performance. The travelers of the street were treated to a 4-course dinner consisting of a ceasar salas, a veal ossobucco, a pastrami pressé and a Paris-brest. Chef Thierry Marx himself walked in the middle of the street collecting views and comments of the drivers. The action promotes Badoit water as the water that best accompanies meals.
Casa Barcardi
2-10-2013
Bacardi organizes cocktail parties in a classy art-deco building along the Rue Defacqz in Brussels. These cocktail nights are from 27 September to 19 October and limited to 70 guests only, who are chosen from registrations through a special phone number. The lucky few can prepare themselves for world class bartenders like Roman Falton (Artesian, Londen), Shingo Gokan (Angel’s Share, New York) and Elizaveta “Lizzy” Evdokimova (Delicatessen, Moskou). The concept refers to the exclusive cocktail parties in ‘El Edificio Bacardi’ at the Avenida de Bélgica (Havana) during the beginning of the 20th century.
Boxing at the Marriott Hotel
1-10-2013
The Amsterdam Marriott Hotel offers the ‘Future of Meetings’ concept with boxing and bootcamp trainings for companies. During the BodyFit meeting arrangement world champion kickboxing Fouad Tijarti introduces various boxing techniques. The training is a mix of stamina, power, speed and technique practices.
Bello Limoncello measuring card
1-10-2013
There are Bello Limoncello bottles with a measure card on the tables at café restaurant Braque and Mata Hari in Amsterdam. This makes it easier to pour a glass of Limoncello (or a few more) and you don’t have to buy a whole bottle. The idea for this service sprouted in Italy, where limoncello producer Natwerk found out that local restaurants estimate the amount of booze you’ve had from the limoncello bottle on the table. Thus they’ve made small addition to adapt the service for the Netherlands: a measuring card to ensure a fair price if you ‘Go Dutch’.
Vegetables menu at restaurant De Keuken van Gastmaal
27-9-2013
Restaurant ‘De Keuken van Gastmaal’ in Utrecht, the Netherlands has a special 4-course vegetables menu. The restaurant chose to use vegetables from the region to promote the use of local products. It is the first restaurant in Utrecht that services a full vegetables menu. All dishes are presented with self-picket herbs. The restaurant is nominated for the best vegetarian dish of the Netherlands.
Healthier fries at Burger King
26-9-2013
Burger King has introduced a healthier version of the French fries in the United States. The SATISFRIES™ are French crinkle-cut fries and contain 40% less fat and 30% fewer calories. According to Burger King the SATISFRIES™ are healthier because they used another batter that absorbs less oil. To launch the healthier French fries, Burger King has started the campaign #WTFF (What The French Fry). Large French fry pods where placed in high traffic areas in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago to encourage passersby to take pictures to post on social media using the hash tag #WTFF.
Cooking with licorice candy
26-9-2013
Lakrids and Cool green events are organizing a mini workshop with licorice candy on Saturday September 28th at the World Food Festival in Rotterdam. During the workshop you will discover the many possibilities of cooking with licorice. Lakrids has a wide collection of licorice products, from beer to syrups. With these products will be experimented during the cooking and baking. To conclude the workshop a special dish will be served with matching drinks.
Solo per Due
25-9-2013
Romantic diner for two? The smallest restaurant of the world ‘Solo per Due’ is located in the Italian town Vacone. The restaurant has only one table with two chairs and two red armchairs by a fireplace. Guests don’t have to wait long for the food and the attention of the staff is completely focused on the two guests. The restaurant is located in a building dating from the nineteenth century in a historic town. The location offers a beautiful view across the valley of olive trees. ‘Solo per Due’ offers exclusive Italian dishes for € 250,= per person, drinks excluded.
Edible flower with crystals
25-9-2013
Koppert Cress has introduced a new edible flower, the BlinQ Blossom®. The BlinQ Blossom® is a succulent herb with a salty taste and goes well with smoked meat or fish dishes. The flower has tiny crystals and is an eye catcher on a dish. The flower has its origin in South Africa and is year-round available. Watch the on James Bond inspired introduction of the flower.
Food tours
24-9-2013
Recently we published an article about Food Sherpas; local people who take tourist on a local culinary discovery tour. Food tours along local culinary hotspots for tourists are becoming more popular. Like in Washington culinary tours are given by companies. For example DC Metro Food Tours gives tours in 13 different neighborhoods in Washington. The food served during the tour are a reflection of both residents and the history of the area. During the Food Tours architecture, culture, history and food are combined. The website Skift published an interesting article about these food tours.
Flemish Kitchen Rebels
24-9-2013
From 1 October to 15 November for the fifth time, young talented chefs from Flanders will be promoted both domestically and abroad. 38 Young chefs were elected last year, but this year the jury selected 45 young chefs. As well as last year, people from 18 to 30 years can enjoy a three-course menu for € 45,=. The chefs will also be promoted abroad this to give an impression of the young Flemish gastronomy. This is an initiative by Vlaanderen Lekker Land and Tourism Vlaanderen, Horeca Vlaanderen and 5 Provincial touristic organisations.
Circus themed fast food restaurant Biribildu
23-9-2013
‘Biribildu’ is a Greek fast food restaurant in Alimos, near Athens. In ‘Biribildu’ you will find yourself in the magical world of the circus. ‘Biribildu’ is the Basque word for turn, to make a round. This appears frequently in the design. Like a traveling circus goes around from town to town, it is a fitting theme for the fast food restaurant that offers gyros made with meat of a vertical rotating roaster. There are two circus horses and the kitchen, toilets and the shed are hidden behind three wooden boxes in which the circus can be transported. The cash register is located in a tiger cage. The fast food restaurant is designed by Minas Kosmidis and every little circus details has been thought of.
How much food do you drink?
23-9-2013
Do you order a glass of red wine, because you think it contains less calories? Then you can equally eat a slice of cheese. The video shows how many calories you really consume when drinking and compares those number of calories with food. A Margarita is equal to a taco or a Piña Colada is equal to a cheeseburger. Maybe you’d better order a vodka soda?
Driving Barista App
