What does the hospitality industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration May 18

18-5-2020

As noted last week, we here in the Netherlands are still in an ‘Intelligent Lockdown’ which means, we’re all working from home if possible and our high schools,  universities, restaurants, cafés, gyms, leisure centers, museums, etcetera are closed. But we can take a walk outside and shop for food and even shop at hardware stores and garden centers. As from May 11 our primary schools have re-opened as have the day-care centres but also hair and beauty salons and physiotherapist are allowed to re-open.

As from the first of June restaurants will re-open with a maximum of 30 persons inside, and a social distance of 6 feet, terraces are re-opening as well without a maximum of guests. This, of course, if the Covid-19 casualties remain low. Our government created a path in which they think our economy has to restart, with no festivals, concerts or congresses till the first of September and even gyms aren’t allowed till then. In the meantime we keep spotting all kind of inspiration worldwide around the hospitality industry.

With this week links to articles about the Robot dog Spot that is used in a park in Singapore to warm people to observe a social distance. And the Restaurant Brands International Inc. (Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes) considers designing face masks as part of their uniforms.  

‘Care by Roseate Hotels & Resorts’ is an interesting article for those hotels who aren’t sure yet what measures to take to implement a touchless hospitality.  And Eleven Madison Park’s chef-owner Daniel Humm says the coming back of his famous restaurant is a question mark.

The Frontline Stays Program by Airbnb has had 100,000 nights booking in free or subsidized accommodations for first responders. And check out the red puzzle by Heinz Canada! Would be appreciated by European puzzle and ketchup aficionados as well, especially during lockdown.  

Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends

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Pay-it-Forward Pizza Program by Uno Pizzeria & Grill

15-5-2020

Here in the Netherlands we saw the big line ups with people waiting for food in the U.S. and we’re very happy that up till now we don’t have that many people losing their jobs because of the Covid-19 crisis. The crisis also brings out the best in people and companies. Uno Pizzeria & Grill chain in the U.S. introduced a Pay-it-Forward Pizza Program. Customers can buy an extra pizza to help feed those on the frontline, hospital workers, first responders and to those that are now food insecure. If a customer buys 1 extra pizza ($ 10) the chain will match the contribution. So, the buyer will be “digging deeper” to feed those who need it most and to keep the restaurant workers at Uno Pizzeria & Grill employed during these challenging times.

We’ve seen many pay-it-forward examples back in time when we started with horecatrends (2007) and we can imagine lots of people love the gesture. It made us think why there aren’t more initiatives like this when there isn’t a crisis. Personally I always hate it to walk past homeless people without acting. Last year we were visiting the U.S. and noticed the many homeless people and wondered why there aren’t more small food businesses selling small ‘gift certificates’ guests can buy and hand out to homeless instead of money! ^Marjolein

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The Inn at Little Washington | Mannequins at tables to mark social distancing

15-5-2020

Restaurant The Inn at Little Washington in Washington VA (1,5 hours west of Washington D.C.) is on track to be the first three-Michelin-star restaurant to reopen in the U.S. The open for the Memorial Day weekend with ‘fresh air’ lunches at the more than 20 acres of outdoor space with many beautiful gardens which is located all around the property. Allthough they open this Memorial Day Weekend to have lunch in the gardens, they have opted to wait until Friday, May 29th to open the indoor dining rooms. With restrictions on capacity, Chef Patrick O’Connell has decided that empty tables will be theatrically dressed with mannequins. The Inn is working with local companies Signature Theater and Design Foundry to create the sets. Tables that are unable to be seated with actual guests will be an entertainment and design touchpoint to keep things interesting. The Inn at Little Washington is known for being reverently irreverent as is felt through playful experiences, such as the cheese specialist with mooing cow cart that speaks exclusively in puns or the dining room dress code: “no wet bikinis.”

A charming solution for empty spaces! We came across another restaurant in Bangkok (Thailand), here the owner placed stuffed animal panda’s at the empty seats. A bit of humour in the dining room and an opportunity to make some fun photo’s for guests. Like with the mannequins… Look at the image in this Dutch article:  In Gemany hotel Haase also uses mannequins to sit at the tables in their restaurant.

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Rombit’s Romware Covid Radius | Smart bracelet to simplify social distancing on the workfloor

14-5-2020

In April Technology company Rombit launched a digital bracelet to prevent coronavirus infections on the workfloor. The solution allows employees in construction, logistics and other heavy industries to resume work safely. Port of Antwerp started as the first to use this innovative bracelet. To produce this bracelet Rombit has added new functions to its existing safety bracelet, the Romware ONE. This will help employees to observe the strict precautions laid down by the World Health Organisation (WHO) while respecting the privacy of the wearer. The initiative is also a response to the call by the Flemish Government to create digital solutions for helping society through the current corona crisis.

These kinds of solutions would be great for the hospitality industry as well! Last month we already wrote about Aura Aware a smart distance awareness device, we then indicated that a wearable device would be a great asset for people working in restaurants, kitchens etcetera. It would even be better is the other person you meet doesn’t have to have the same device. The only challenge is to avoid too many signals in a restaurant ? We wonder if there will be affordable devices on the market soon….

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What does the hospitality industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration May 12

12-5-2020

As noted last week, we here in the Netherlands are still in an ‘Intelligent Lockdown’ which means, we’re all working from home if possible and our high schools,  universities, restaurants, cafés, gyms, leisure centers, museums, etcetera are closed. But we can take a walk outside and shop for food and even shop at hardware stores and garden centers. As from yesterday our primary schools have re-opened as have the day-care centres but also hair and beauty salons and physiotherapist are allowed to re-open.

As from the first of June restaurants will re-open with a maximum of 30 persons inside, and a social distance of 6 feet, terraces are re-opening as well without a maximum of guests. This, of course, if the Covid-19 casualties remain low. Our government created a path in which they think our economy has to restart, with no festivals, concerts or congresses till the first of September and even gyms aren’t allowed till then. In the meantime we keep spotting all kind of inspiration worldwide around the hospitality industry.

With this week links to articles about the fact that the Belgians are asked to eat fries twice a week and in the USA you can order fresh DIY pasta kits at some restaurants, great inspiration for other Italian restaurants worldwide!

San Francisco and Seattle are limiting what delivery services can charge restaurants for processing orders, while New York and Los Angeles consider similar policies. And the North Sydney café shifted to grocery store during the lockdown.

The restaurant group Black Sheep in Hong Kong created a viral blueprint for reopening restaurants after a lockdown, a link to where you can download this blueprint.

International design and innovation office CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati launched Pura-Case, a wardrobe purifier to remove bacteria and viruses from clothes. And Cape Town Tourism sends tourists love letters!

Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends

Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!

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Hospitality tech firm Criton offers hoteliers free app to reduce touchpoints during COVID-19

12-5-2020

Hospitality tech firm Criton is offering its guest engagement platform completely free of charge until 2021 and with no commitment. Hoteliers using Criton can reduce touchpoints and safeguard guests’ health by digitising their guest information and giving everything guests need on their own phone. read more

YtheWait app | ‘Smart Restaurant’ app or digital waiter

12-5-2020

Dirty menus, unhygienic order kiosks and the many separate apps will be a thing of the past, according to the developers of the ‘YtheWait’ app. Their innovative all-in-one Hospitality & Retail App, already helps hundreds of partners to efficiently manage and increase their sales. Your guests can make contactless reservations, order in advance, pay and rate via their mobile. To support the hospitality businesses, the use of the all-in-one application and all the services around it are free of charge until 1 July 2020. ‘YtheWait’ has a user-friendly module that also simplifies booking and table management.

We’re spotting more and more technical developments that will replace parts of the staff’s tasks. This YtheWait app can be a lot more effective, contactless capturing everything via the guests own mobile; from booking, to ordering, paying and rating afterwards. Still we get the sense that human service will be missed but right now the app is useful as your guest only has to touch her or his mobile. Once we go back to maximum occupation with a lack of good catering staff, this app could also be very useful.  read more

Cloud Clubbing | On- and offline music events

8-5-2020

Due to the Corona Virus the recent months have been a little crazy and strange for everyone. Not being able to see friends and family, no longer being allowed to go to the gym and no longer being able to go to a festival or nightclub to enjoy your favourite music. The latter especially is such a pity during this time in which everyone can use a bit of fun and cheerfulness. For now, it looks like all music venues and night clubs will be closed until at least the 1st of September here in the Netherlands. Also, festivals, of which we have so many in the Netherlands, will not take place until the 1st of September or might not even be allowed at all until there is a vaccine against the virus.

A blog by our colleague Marguerita Vogelsang about examples from the nightlife and festival scene, an industry that has been hit unprecedented hard economically by the corona crisis. Nevertheless, she also spots all kinds of positive initiatives in this sector.

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Restaurants Culina Hortus and Vanilla Black | The world’s Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants 2020

4-5-2020

In Brussels the ‘We’re Smart®’ movement, the undisputed reference in the culinary world of vegetables, revealed the new online Green Guide today and the winners of this year’s Best Vegetarian and Best Vegan Restaurants: Culina Hortus (Lyon, France) and Vanilla Black (London, UK).

The announcement was made by the renowned Vegetables Chef®, Frank Fol, during the official release of the We’re Smart® Green Guide 2020, comprising reviews and ratings of nearly 1000 restaurants worldwide ranked from 1 to 5 radishes, according to the amount of vegetables they use in their dishes. read more

What does the catering industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration April 29

29-4-2020

As noted last week, we here in the Netherlands are still in an ‘Intelligent Lockdown’ which means, we’re all working from home if possible, restaurants, cafés, hair salons, schools etcetera are closed. But we can take a walk outside and shop for food and even at shops, hardware stores and garden centers. Which means that our gardens are beautiful and everything is fixed at our homes ?.

As from May 11 our primary schools will re-open and also our daycare facilities, which means a big relief for parents working from home and teaching their children…. At this moment we’re working towards lowering the casualties of Covid-19 at the intensive care units. The next moment will be May 20 at which we hope our government will slowly restart our economy. In the meantime some hotels start to reopen in the Netherlands (they weren’t closed this period but most just didn’t have guests and closed voluntarily). They serve dinner and breakfast in their restaurants and hotel rooms, for hotel guests only! In the meantime we keep spotting all kind of inspiration worldwide around the hospitality industry.

With links this week to articles about DIY pizza kits by Blaze Pizza and a virus killing countertop robot, created by UVRoboclean. They try to fund through Kickstarter.

A great idea by Chick-fil-A, they sell their sauces separately! What sauce could your restaurant sell? It might even be a good idea to sell it through a local supermarket!

Ramadan has become a less social event for all Muslims, no prayers in the Mosque and no big family dinners after sundown. Fatafeat is inviting families to help create their very own ‘home of Arabic cooking’ this Ramadan. And a collaboration between Instagram & ChowNow, they created an order food sticker or button at Instagram.

A great wine label for Quarantine Wine, created by winery Nocking Point, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. IKEA UK shares their meatball recipe and Red Robin offers a ‘Build-Your-Own’ wing bar for home delivery!

the OG Cannabis Cafe in West Hollywood in California has re-opened as the world’s first cannabis and food drive-thru.

Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends read more

Next generation business model ‘Express Double Drive Through’ by Miami Grill

28-4-2020

Miami Grill, the iconic South Florida-based fast-casual restaurant brand, has announced the next-generation business model as its latest franchise opportunity, the ‘Express Double Drive Through’. Miami Grill had been working on the new offering even before the pandemic crisis but has now fast-tracked its development with several key investors already interested. The due-diligence period has been completed for this new offering that is in direct response to what the company believes will be an altered business environment in the post-COVID-19 world.

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Aura Aware | Smart distance awareness device for social distancing

23-4-2020

The Dutch company Aura Aware created a smart distance awareness device which is a convenient reminder to your employees and customers to maintain healthy distancing. Staying 6 feet apart simply doesn’t come naturally.  The Aura Aware is a smart distance awareness device that helps employees and customers remain a safe and healthy distance in public spaces.

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What does the catering industry do in the context of the COVID-19 virus? | Inspiration April 21

21-4-2020

We are writing this article a few hours before our Prime Minister Rutte’s press conference in which we all hope to hear that there will be a little bit more freedom for everybody in the Netherlands. It’s already clear that no major changes are to be expected, but it would be very positive if milestones were indicated to work towards. One of the items for this will nevertheless revolve around redefining our personal space, the rule that is very difficult to put in place for smaller restaurants. In addition to the missing space, they won’t make enough turnover. For companies where the 6 feet distance can be met, it is also important to continue to deliver in addition to the missing turnover. We think that lots of guests will still order online, they love to eat out but are still afraid for contamination.

With links this week to articles about Starbucks who’s investing 10 million USD in aid for partners worldwide, and about a DIY ShackBurger Kit by Shake Shack.

Mask to Go, is an initiative in Hong Kong where about 35 vending machines are installed from which one can draw medical-grade face masks for free! And Disneyland also tries to keep in touch with their (potential) guests, among other things by sharing recipes via social media.

And an article about a door handle that kills 99.8% of all germs! In California wineries across the state created almost 80 virtual experiences, go to the Wine Institute’s website at Discover California Wines.

Stay healthy and take care of each other! ^Team Horecatrends

Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!

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Accor and Bureau Veritas launch a label based on sanitary measures in France

17-4-2020

The project is launched to support the return to business in the hospitality and restaurant industry. Accor, a global leader in augmented hospitality, and Bureau Veritas, a world-leading provider in testing, inspection and certification, have joined forces to develop a label designed to certify that the appropriate safety standards and cleaning protocols have been achieved to allow businesses to reopen. The label will cover both accommodation and catering, and will set the sanitary standards applicable to all the Group’s hotels as well as to other chains and independent hotels. The project was carried out in partnership with doctors and epidemiologists, and has been developed in collaboration with Accor owners and trade associations, such as UMIH, GNC, and GNI.

The bigger economic picture will be blurred by the psychological mood of people. Lots of people, especially the 50+ group will remain anxious. Somehow the hospitality industry has to regain their trust and convince their guests that a visit to their facility is safe. It will be difficult to do so by just implicating that you’ve cleaned everything… For hotel & restaurant chains a cleaning standard label, like the different quality systems in the business to business industry, might facilitate that trust. It might be wise to create one safety standard and cleaning protocol for the whole industry worldwide. And although parties might think differently, it shouldn’t put a financial burden on individual smaller hotels and restaurants. Living up to a new standard might be our mutual concern. ^Marjolein

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VoorDeThuiswerkers.nl | A hotel room as solution for the work from home challenge

14-4-2020

Inspiration from the Netherlands where two entrepreneurial freelancers offer a solution for those who can no longer cope with the challenge combining working with their family at home as well during the corona virus crisis. ‘VoorDeThuiswerkers.nl’ (which can be translated at ForThe PeopleWorkingFromHome) is an initiative of Olivier Kruger and Seffie Treistman, who hope to contribute to lower the pressure at home by providing a quiet workplace and helping hotels generate revenue so that their employees can keep their jobs.

On the second of April we already wrote about Hotel Kom in Maartensdijk (The Netherlands), which had taken a similar initiative as an individual hotel. In response to the article we understood that other hotels were also providing workspace in their own surroundings. VoorDeThuiswerkers.nl is a platform to make these addresses more accessible for those who find working from home too much a challenge! And for hotels, every little bit can help in these harsh corona times ……

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