JAMES horeca | Platform for temporary staff in the Dutch hospitality industry
3-1-2022
Although we are not forced to hire new employees for a while, it is wise to check how you can get staff once we can reopen. The shortage of staff has been a reason for many companies to close several times slots in the past year here in the Netherlands.
JAMES horeca, a platform for temporary staff with an app for hospitality employees, could help compensate for the current shortage. Thanks to their 360-degree approach, they find, train, and captivate employees who help the Dutch hospitality industry at events, restaurants, bars, and clubs. With the result of always having trained people on location, something in which they are distinctive and progressive.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Chipotlane Digital Kitchen | First ‘’grey kitchen’’?
21-12-2021
The new format will exclusively fulfill digital orders for pick up or delivery. Chipotle Mexican Grill announced its first Chipotlane Digital Kitchen restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The new prototype offers a Chipotlane and walk-up window for efficient digital order pickup. Located in Ohio, the restaurant is scheduled to open later this month. Chipotle’s second digital-only restaurant prototype serves guests who order ahead on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com, and marketplace partners.
With no dining room access for guests but with patio seating to enjoy their meals. Kind of a ‘grey kitchen’ instead of a ‘dark kitchen’?
Reading time: 2 minutes
Radisson Hotel Group opens first winter sport hotel in Turkey
21-12-2021
Radisson Hotel Group has opened its first ski hotel in Mount Erciyes and second hotel in the Kayseri province. Radisson Blu Hotel, Mount Erciyes is located just off the slopes in the centre of the Mount Erciyes ski region with direct access to all the best mountain lifts, ski slopes and après ski facilities.
Have you ever thought about going skiing in Turkey? We didn’t, but Mount Erciyes is a volcano in Turkey and you can ski on the north to east side of the mountain. In the article the link to their snow-forecast but the snow depth was already 12 cm on Monday 20 December and they had 4 powder snow days up until now.
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Market Drayton McDonald’s | The first UK net zero carbon restaurant
20-12-2021
December 10, McDonald’s opened the UK’s first net zero carbon restaurant. The Market Drayton McDonald’s, which will act as a blueprint for future restaurants around the country, has been designed to be net zero emissions standard in both construction and everyday operation – an industry first.
Reading time: 3 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 50
20-12-2021
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 winter coffees from all over the world, inspiration from Starbucks. And a “snowman pizza” made by Joe’s Rotisseria in New Jersey!
The first 1,600 Neder Bananas from Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands were harvested at the end of November. Many atypical and sustainable products are made of them! Ever heard of ‘National Cookies Day’? We didn’t, but this day is celebrated on December 4th and Subway opened a ‘Cookieway’ pop-up store around this date.
The fast food chain ‘El Pollo Loco’ is launching a ‘Loco Gifts and Gear’ store in which they sell merchandise specially designed for them, such as a bicycle. And the UK’s cheapest champagne bar has opened, Aldi will sell its award-winning Veuve Monsigny champagne for just £2.33 a glass. And so nice: a ‘Santa sushi’, created by Wave Asian Bistro & Sushi out in Mount Dora, Florida.
Airbnb had a special Christmas promotion in the USA: 4 people could be guests for one night in the ‘Home Alone’ house! Including lots of details like the cheese pizza and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.
In London you can enjoy the patisserie of the French chef Cedric Grolet in The Berkeley Café and when you are in London now you can enjoy a special ‘Borealis’ by the famous artist Dan Acher for 2 more days. Northern lights above London during the Winter Lights season, we would love to see that above Amsterdam as well!
Uber Eats was the first to deliver meals to space on December 11! And have you heard of PappaRoti? They sell drinks and special coffee buns from Malaysia in more than 400 locations worldwide. Located in Brussels, among others.
A sustainable cup of coffee from Mister Barish
17-12-2021
A sustainable cup with black gold for everyone: that is what the Mister Barish coffee brand stands for. By selling loose coffee beans, purchased at fair prices from plantations with environmentally friendly products, the brand wants to combat the growing use of single-use plastic. Unique in the Netherlands: Mister Barish sells monthly subscriptions where the customer pays per cup of coffee. This includes a device, service and support and the most suitable beans. This makes good and luxurious coffee more accessible to a wider audience. This December, Mister Barish opened its first experience store in Amsterdam, officially launching the brand in the Netherlands.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Hotels for Trees | Blycolin becomes Founding Partner
16-12-2021
Blycolin becomes Founding Partner of Hotels for Trees. The international specialist in linen service for the hospitality industry offers the foundation financial support for further European growth. Furthermore, Blycolin will promote the concept among its more than 2,000 hotel customers.
Hotels for Trees is committed to making hotel room cleaning more sustainable by converting savings into planting trees. Until now they have planted 5,000 trees, their goal for 2022 is 100,000 trees and by 2025 even 1 million trees. It is an easy concept to implement for both the hotels and their guests. A number of renowned Dutch hotels are already participating, such as Grand Hotel De Draak, Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Banks Mansion and Hotel Kapellerput. More about this concept in this article.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Nobu Hotel and Restaurant San Sebastián will open in 2023
16-12-2021
Nobu Hospitality, the global lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, announced its fourth Spanish hotel and restaurant – Nobu Hotel and Restaurant San Sebastián. With a strong focus on cuisine, local culture, and architectural design combined with an air of celebrity, Nobu may have met its match in San Sebastián. As the capital of Gipuzkoa, this is a city with the most Michelin stars per square meter than anywhere else in the world, the site of Balenciaga’s first atelier, and a place that Hemingway fondly called home while writing ‘Fiesta’. A true culinary mecca, the mountainous Basque Country’s culture is reflected throughout the coastal town, where visitors are invited to hop from bar to restaurant while sampling bitesize gastronomy referred to locally as pintxo.
Reading time: 2 minutes
W Hotels debuts in Italy with the opening of W Rome
14-12-2021
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, recently mad its stylish and spirited Italian debut, with the much-anticipated opening of W Rome. The 162-room hotel, spanning two adjacent 19th century palazzos, makes a captivating entrance as it redefines discerning hospitality in the heart of the Eternal City. Primely located on Via Liguria next to the Spanish Steps.
“Layers of ancient history, exceptional food and wine, spectacular art and architecture, and the genuine welcoming attitude from its people – there is no place quite like Italy and no city quite like Rome,” said Tom Jarrold, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “It is this Italian zest for life that pairs so well with the inspiring energy of the W Hotels experience. W Rome brings together unexpected design, inviting social spaces and the extraordinary talents of chefs Ciccio Sultano and Fabrizio Fiorani to create a refreshing and highly-experiential lens for modern luxury.”
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Orient Express La Dolce Vita by Accor
14-12-2021
More than 150 years ago, Georges Nagelmackers turned a dream into a reality when he launched the first luxury Orient Express train. Soon, Orient Express La Dolce Vita will head back on track to offer travellers an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most beloved countries: Italy. This exceptional train journey will welcome its first passengers in 2023.
Reading time: 3 minutes
Oliebollen challenge | Top chefs challenge each other for charity
13-12-2021
To draw attention to children who are limited in their childhood, top chefs Mark Minkman and Sidney Schutte and Brewery De Goede & De Stoute have started an oliebollen (dutch pastry: deep fried doughnut balls) challenge. Under the hashtag #oliebollenchallengenl they are calling on chefs to post their most special oliebol on Instagram. A jury chooses the tastiest and most special oliebol, which is for sale to the public on December 31. The proceeds go to the Onky Donky Foundation.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Miller Lite introduces Beernaments | Drinkable ornaments
13-12-2021
The holidays are upon us, and decorations are (mostly) up – but Miller Lite is giving beer lovers across the United States a reason to save some space on their trees for one more festive touch. Introducing Beernaments: Miller Lite’s first ever drinkable ornaments.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 49
13-12-2021
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 SQUAREAT, a revolutionary meal plan concept and Ruby Hotels is opening their second location in Frankfurt in 2025.
It’s time for winter beer: the Dutch Bird Brewery created ‘Apres Kievit’, a beer with the spicy notes of Jägermeister. And FryAway, a plant based powder, turns cooking oil into solid waste that can then be easily scooped into the rubbish.
Bäckerei Krümel opens doors in the ‘Efteling’ (a Fairytales theme park in the south of the Netherlands) and Pollinator Park is a VR experience that explores a future without bees and other pollen spreaders.
This Friday, December 17, Titanic: The Exhibition will be sailing into London! And GoodMaps is changing the way people navigate retail stores, even for those visually impaired. They’re testing it in a supermarket of ASDA in the UK. Would be a great asset for airports and event locations as well!
Would you like to taste Barefoot x OREO THINS Red Blend Wine? A cookies & cream red wine blend! And in the Dutch branch of Jeunes Restaurateurs Europe rewarded entrepreneurship in the Netherlands.
Couture Christmas tree in the Winter Garden 2021 of the Pulitzer Amsterdam
10-12-2021
This festive December month, hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam – located in 25 connected 17th and 18th century canal houses – has teamed up with renowned Danish fashion designer Claes Iversen to design a spectacular couture Christmas tree in their Winter Garden 2021. We have written about the idea behind the collaboration and now it turned out to be one of the largest outdoor Christmas trees in Amsterdam.
We think the design turned out really beautiful! We can completely imagine ourselves enjoying a warm drink in this Winter Garden at the Pulitzer Amsterdam, with dry weather and a thick coat or blanket of course. And if you take a walk through Amsterdam and enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival, it is of course a nice stop for a hot drink and to warm up under the covers and the heaters in this Winter Garden.
Reading time: 2 minutes
VAN SHA Aromatic Spice | A distilled non-alcoholic alternative
9-12-2021
Inspired by her own family’s roots, founder Sharan Bal captured the powerful and intense flavours of India in the distilled non-alcoholic dark spirit VAN SHA Aromatic Spice. The aromatic blend of Indian spices like saffron, neroli and galangal – with a subtle fresh-floral aroma, a hint of bitter-sweet citrus and warm spicy notes – creates a dark spirit. VAN SHA Aromatic Spice can be enjoyed pure on the rocks or in the mix with ginger ale. For cocktail lovers – VAN SHA is also delicious in a Not So Old Fashioned. VAN SHA is sugar-free, low-energy, GMO-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan, and it does not contain added sugars, sweetener or artificial flavours.
There is plenty of choice in non-alcoholic alternatives for a festive lunch, brunch, dinner or even breakfast? A mocktail is a fun addition at the holidays!
Reading Time: 2 minutes
GINAMIS | A new 0% spirit from Amsterdam
9-12-2021
GINAMIS wants to further challenge the norm in drinking in the category ‘non-alcoholic with good taste’. With this new alcohol-free spirit from Dutch soil, a cocktail can be enjoyed every moment of the day, even at breakfast. GINAMIS was officially launched on the Dutch market this week. It is a non-alcoholic spirit inspired by gin and developed, distilled and bottled in Amsterdam. The brand was conceived by brand new entrepreneurs and friends (amis) Jaap van de Weg and Cheng Yeung, who believe that taste and experience are the keys to success in the non-alcoholic segment. Both have extensive experience in the beverage industry.
The taste profile of GINAMIS is strongly determined by a unique and unusual ingredient; dandelion leaf! The dandelion (in French “dents de lion”), was the inspiration for the birth of Dan the Lion, the mischievous mixologist character of the brand. At The Dutch Non-Alcoholic Spirit Awards in October 2021, GINAMIS received a medal in the “White Spirits” category as the best Dutch non-alcoholic spirit based on taste, design and concept. Great for a non-alcoholic alternative for the upcoming Holiday Season, you can make cocktails with it for breakfast, lunch or just for fun…. With 2 mocktail recipes!
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Liemès Food District Utrecht
9-12-2021
LIEMÈS Food District is the place to be for business appointments, while shopping or for a snack on the go. In this centrally located food hall in shopping center The Wall in Utrecht, different chefs cook their dishes from around the world and bartenders shake their top cocktails. Liemès is a food district like you’ve never seen before.
Foodhall meets restaurant, streetfood meets à la carte: at Liemès you take a seat at one of the set tables and order from the food stands and the bar using a QR. The hospitable staff then serves your order(s) at your table. They don’t use disposables at Liemès, everything is served on tableware. This enhances the eating experience and is more sustainable.
In August 2020 we wrote about the Liemès Food District, it was supposed to open that autumn. We wish the entrepreneurs the best of luck and let’s hope there will not be more COVID-19 measures!
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Caféco | A consolidation of franchise formulas in the Netherlands
7-12-2021
Coffee franchise Doppio Espresso (25 venues), chocolate franchise Chocolate Company (19 venues) and coffee franchise Barista Café (23 venues) join forces, the consolidation of the franchise formulas will be called: Caféco.
Reading time: 1 minute
Trends we spotted | Week 48
7-12-2021
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…. Bacardi who has announced Astrophel “Troy” Arquiza as the new Global Master Blender for BACARDÍ® rum (the “Maestro de Ron”). And high-quality cocktails from Williams Premium such as the Margarita, Daiquiri, Espresso Martini and Old fashioned are now available in cans.
Butcher and steakhouse owner John Stirk, thought the price of the golden Tomahawk steak at Salt Bae’s new restaurant (in London) was way too high. Stirk Italian Steakhouse now has a much more affordable golden ‘Stirk-Bae’ on his menu…
Wagyu beef is known all over the world as a very exclusive piece of meat. But in Japan you simply ‘pull’ the steak from a vending machine these days! New on the market is the food safety device from Asus, which lets you know whether you have washed your fruit and vegetables sufficiently.
Foodspotting.com preceded the introduction of the app known as Foodspotting. The site allowed its users to take pictures of food that they loved. It was bought by OpenTable in 2013 and doesn’t exist anymore. ChefsTemp on about what happened to this app!
Designer water: this year’s limited-edition glass bottle of Evian water has been covered in Snowflakes by designer Not Vital. A collaboration with Moncler. Another great campaign for the Holiday Season in the UK, this time for the Bounty Bar: ‘The Lonely Bounty’.
Online cooking tutorials called ‘The Secrets of French Cuisine’ at the website of ‘Fine Dining Lovers’. We included the tutorial of the ultimate croque monsieur! And the same website gives you all the details behind the 100 days pop-up in Paris: restaurant ADMO!
Chiqueolatte opened its 8th location in The Hague and The Hoxton hotel group will open four new hotels in Europe in 2022. Tony’s Chocolonely announced that it will not build its own chocolate factory in the near future.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Improving soil with seaweed extract | Swinkels Family Brewers
30-11-2021
After an initial successful test on their own barley field, Swinkels Family Brewers is starting a pilot in which they use seaweed extract as a biological growth stimulant for their barley. At three locations, a total of six hectares of barley is treated with the bio stimulant, which should ensure that the yield of the barley harvest increases, reduces water consumption and the soil absorbs and stores more CO2. The pilot is being carried out in collaboration with the Holland Malt malt house, The Seaweed Company and two farmers who are members of the Boer Bier Water initiative.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 47
26-11-2021
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 McDonald’s Germany that is testing reusables in 10 restaurants and the platform Foodsteps that helps food businesses monitor their carbon emissions.
‘The most beautiful butcher shop in the world, Victor Churchill’ opened a new butcher shop in Melbourne, check out the great images in this article. And Pizza Hut USA unveils their new, limited edition holiday Hut Shop.
The Savoy in London has unveiled the world’s first champagne forest, great decoration inspiration! And On Giving Tuesday (November 30), KFC will donate $1 for each KFC Chicken Sandwich sold to to Blessings in a Backpack.
‘Illegal Chips’ come in flavors like horse meat, Casu Marzu and poison blowfish. And a link to all the winners of McDonald’s anti-littering contest in Finland, with great ideas!
Get your pet in a festive mood at 29 Hilton locations in the UK and Ireland with a three course dog menu. Our office dog would love this menu!
The Celestial Snow Globe | The Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2021
26-11-2021
London, November 24th 2021 – Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel has unveiled Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2021 in the hotel lobby, created by Kim Jones, Artistic Director of the Dior men’s collections.
Every year we write about the Claridge’s Christmas Tree, because we simply love the idea! Creating buzz and free publicity together! We loved the decorations by McQueens Flowers, Christian Louboutin and Karl Lagerfeld for example. Last week the Pulitzer hotel announced that their Christmas Tree will be decorated by Claes Iversen, and this tree will be ready in the beginning of December. As said: this idea can be used at every level: have your lobby decorated for the Holiday Season by a local artist and create a buzz and free publicity with a great tree lighting party! cal artists in designing the annual Christmas tree.
Reading time: 2 minutes
World’s first Warner Bros Hotel opens its door
25-11-2021
The WB™ Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, Curio Collection by Hilton invites visitors on a journey through the World of Warner Bros.’ most iconic films & television series. Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of magnetic experiences, in collaboration with Warner Bros., home to one of the most well-known and successful collections of brands and characters in the world, announced The first Warner Bros Hotel, located in Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton. The first-ever WB themed hotel, has officially opened its doors to guests, November 18. The hotel allows guests to see their favourite stories and characters brought to life through unique hospitality experiences that only the rich history and stories legacy of Warner Bros could offer.
Reading time: 4 minutes
24 Karat Gold Turkey | Thanksgiving at Empire Steak House
24-11-2021
Empire Steak House in New York will surprise their guests this holiday season with a unique dish, the 24 Karat Gold Turkey! A traditional dish with a fancy twist.
We’ve seen the gold wrap marketing stunt on a regularly basis, the food is always astronomical priced, but they’re also always picked up locally and internationally for some free publicity. Especially if there is also charity associated with it. Quite recently we saw the ‘Golden Boy‘ of ‘De Daltons’ in Voorthuizen in the Netherlands, who raised 5.000 euros. This amount has been donated to the local Food Bank. We also wrote about a marketing stunt by Bubbledogs in London who gave away 100 golden hot dogs as a Christmas present, and whoever got one also got a small bottle of champagne. Last summer Chipotle packed their burritos in gold foil every time the USA won a golden medal at the summer Olympic Games.
Reading time: 1 minute
FRENCH IT! | Sofitel introduces series of films to express its ‘Live The French Way’
24-11-2021
As the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is a renowned global ambassador of modern French Art de Vivre and style. Revealing an edgier and more playful expression of the brand’s Live The French Way ethos, Sofitel is launching FRENCH IT!, a global digital campaign of six stylish short films that spotlight the brand’s passion for arts and culture by bringing the whimsy of the French language to life.
Reading time: 4 minutes
OTA Insight Launches Rate Insight+
OTA Insight Launches Rate Insight+
OTA Insight Launches Rate Insight+
