Thai’s Streetfood restaurant Pitaya opens in Antwerp

21-10-2021

Thai’s Streetfood restaurant Pitaya, the restaurant chain specialized in Thai cuisine, opened its first restaurant in Antwerp, next to Operaplein in the newly renovated Antwerp Tower. After three successful openings in Brussels and Wallonia, it is now Flanders’ turn. And they will open in the Netherlands as well in the coming years.

Inspired by the Thai capital, the first Pitaya restaurant opened in 2010 in Bordeaux, France. The Antwerp restaurant is number 122 on their list! Most of the restaurants are located in France. Alpha Seed, the investment company that manages Pitaya’s license for the Benelux, is planning further openings in Liège and Charleroi this year. Pitaya now manages 5 restaurants in Belgium. The goal is to reach 70 in the Benelux in 7 years: 30 restaurants in Belgium, 35 in the Netherlands and 5 in Luxembourg.

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Trends we spotted | Week 42

18-10-2021

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 NANKA that makes patties from Jack Fruit in combination with mushrooms, chicken and beef to help meat-eaters to reduces their meat intake in Malaysia. And in Germany Essity and McDonald’s are recycling the paper cups into toilet paper.

The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop from New York is growing fast through franchising, they’re opening 5 new locations in Florida. And the Singapore-born, Instagram-famous Paradise Group debuted in California last September with their Rainbow Soup Dumplings!

The Dutch cider producers and importers of CiderCider will open ‘the Ciderbar’ in Rotterdam Hofbogen by the end of December. And in Groningen the first RavioliBar in the Netherlands opened. They make fresh ravioli daily!

The Cheesecake Factory has been sharing a slew of their incredible recipes for readers to make in their own kitchens since the COVID-19 crisis. Inspirational! And the Dutch Vegan Junk Food Bar will open in Germany this fall.

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New innovation by Domino’s Pizza Belgium | Domino’s Cal’z sandwich

18-10-2021

In addition to a wide range of pizzas, Domino’s Pizza offers more and more dishes suitable for lunch or as a snack. With this, the chain focuses on the popularity of the lunch moment and the growing demand for lunch delivery. After the introduction of the warmly welcomed Crunchy Chicken, the Domino’s Cal’z sandwich is now also available at all Domino’s Pizza locations in Belgium.

In this article we have written about another calzone variation from the US: ”The Crazy Calzone” from Little Caesars.

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Voerman Vieux | Ingmar Voerman brings the Dutch liquor ‘Vieux’ back to life

15-10-2021

Yesterday, Thursday 14^th of October, Ingmar Voerman and Jos Zonneveld launched their new brand Voerman Vieux in Amsterdam. We had the pleasure of tasting their new product, on the rocks for connoisseurs and delicious in cocktails! In this article we share two recipes. Check out our highlight on Instagram of the real Dutch launch in Amsterdam.

Beverage journalist Ingmar Voerman and co-owner Jos Zonneveld are revitalising the ancient Dutch Vieux with their Voerman Vieux and are introducing this beverage to a whole new generation. They have created an artisanal vieux with a full, round taste.

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Goût de France ’21 & the gastronomy of tomorrow

15-10-2021

The Goût de(/Good) France culinary event is back, for its 6^th edition! From October 14 to 22, 2021, chefs from around the world will be serving dinners “à la française” as an ode to French cuisine. In previous editions, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Provence took center stage, but this time the cultural and culinary heritage of the Centre-Val de Loire region is on the menu, with a sustainable sauce.

Goût de France is an initiative of the well-known French chef Alain Ducasse and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is initiated by Explore France and the 2 Michelin star chef Christophe Hay from the Vendôme is their ambassador this year. Interesting to read about his initiatives to put freshwater fish from the Loire back on the menu and his permaculture vegetable garden.

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Expansion of the organic breakfast and lunch shop CIRCUS in Antwerp | CIRCUS Winebar

14-10-2021

Opening – The organic breakfast and lunchbar CIRCUS in Antwerp will add a new culinary act to their place starting the 21^st of October. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday they dim the lights in their business to focus the spotlight on natural wines. Managers Inge Dreezen and Lien De Naeyer couldn’t find a wine bar in Antwerp with the focus on natural wines. That is why, in line with their organic menu, they decided to take a new and logical step towards an expansion to a natural wine bar during the evening. A step that fits perfectly within their organic path. CIRCUS wine bar is open from October 21.

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The world’s first online 100% direct trade coffee platform TYPICA launched in the Netherlands

14-10-2021

The international coffee platform TYPICA launched in the Netherlands this week. This revolutionary online initiative paves the way for (small-scale) coffee producers and family businesses to distribute high- quality green coffee beans in a sustainable way. Coffee roasters can import green coffee beans from just one jute bag (60 kg). They also have access to exclusive information about the coffee producer and the coffee plantation, they stimulate the production of (small-scale) coffee producers and the coffee roaster can choose from more than 1000 unique specialty coffees. The platform is based on a well-functioning business model that improves the sustainability of high-quality coffee and leaves more turnover for the (small-scale) coffee producer. The platform currently consists of more than 2000 coffee roasters and coffee producers from twelve countries who trade directly with each other.

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Trends we spotted | Week 41

12-10-2021

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 amongst others, links to articles about the expansion of Paris based restaurant Cala, they use robotica to create fresh pasta dishes. And supermarket Jumbo in the Netherlands designates 200 cash registers for ‘checkout chats’ or as they call them ‘kletskassa’s’.

In their stories Starbucks re-announced their global ‘Starbucks Greener Stores’ commitment and McDonald’s announced that they will accelerate climate actions to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Promising is the affiliation with organizations as the United Nations (McDonald’s) and the SCS Global Services and World Wildlife Fund by Starbucks.

Accor & Ennismore announced a joint venture in which both chains contribute their added value. The joint venture will make Ennismore the largest and fastest growing lifestyle hospitality company.

A great initiative by 3 French companies: the Citroën Skate. Citroën created 3 new service pods with Accor and JCDecaux: Sofitel En Voyage, Pullman Power Fitness and JCDecaux City Provider.

Grey Poupon, the mustard brand created a limited edition La Moutarde Vin. A viognier wine infused with mustard seeds, would you like to try it?

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Hilton offers running routes in voice-activated running app RunGo

12-10-2021

Although certainly no longer a new trend, it remains interesting that we regularly see collaborations between hotels and hotel chains and running organizations and apps. And sometimes the technical adjustment in the app is inspiring. We can imagine that a voice-activated running app works!

This time Hilton has entered into an exclusive partnership with the voice-activated running app RunGo. Three tailor-made routes have been created for 7 hotels in the Netherlands with the themes running, sightseeing and mindfulness. For hotel guests, the routes are ideal for discovering the nearest sights and keeping fit. Residents of all the Hilton hotels can also enjoy the routes!

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Claridge’s ArtSpace opens with exhibition by Damien Hirst

12-10-2021

As the art world looks to London, Claridge’s, the legendary hotel in the heart of Mayfair, will unveil  a newly created Claridge’s ArtSpace today, Tuesday 12th October 2021, the eve of Frieze 2021.  Opening its doors for the first time, the space will exhibit a collection of work by artist Damien Hirst entitled ‘Sunshine’, presented by HENI. Claridge’s ArtSpace, which is accessed by an entrance on the newly restored Claridge’s façade on Brooks Mews, engineered by Jim Mackey, has been designed by John Pawson, to be a multi-functional space, set to house a café and art store (opening early 2022) as well as the permanent gallery.

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