Ski slope at the Christmas fair
10-11-2015
At Potsdamer Platz in Berlin a ‘Winter’ fair has already opened with a ski slope! Something different than the ‘standard’ skating rink!
Every year more cities are hosting an authentic ‘Christmas or Holiday’ fair at the end of the year. The most beautiful locations for Christmas fairs in the Netherlands are in the South of Limburg (Valkenburg), but also in Leiden where the Christmas fair is located on water… Both with skating rinks, an addition to the winter fun at Christmas fairs.
Dry Ski slope at the Christmas market instead of an ice rink
Last week I spent a couple of days in Berlin were we visited the ‘Winter’ fair at the Potsdamer Platz. They don’t have a skating rink (yet), but one can glide down a ski slope on tires. It is a dry ski slope with some fake snow from which one can glide on snow tires.
In my perception a dry ski slope is much more sustainable than an ice rink! Furthermore, winters are rare therefore children can’t learn how to skate on natural ice, so the group that knows how to skate is getting smaller. ‘Rutschen’ from a slope on a snow tire is a lot easier! ^ Marjolein
If you are looking for more inspiration, check out other Christmas markets all over the world. Fodors collected 10 holiday markets in this article.
Seaweed that tastes like fried bacon?
9-11-2015
US researchers have discovered a strain of seaweed that tastes like fried bacon when fried. The seaweed not only tastes delicious but is also very nutritious.
The strain of seaweed ‘dulse’
The discovered ‘dulse’ is a red algae that can be found along the coast of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is often used in the Asian cuisine. This is due to its high protein content and ‘umami’ taste. ‘Dulse’ has been used in Europe as an ingredient for smoothies and as a dried product it is used in a dietary supplement. The smoky bacon flavour can only be brought out when it’s fried. The seaweed grows in offshore farms in an environmentally responsible manner. The ‘dulse’ grows in recycled water and it only needs a limited amount of sea water and sun.
Seaweed as a substitute for meat
This seaweed could be a replacement for meat in the future. Besides that, it also allows vegetarians to taste the smoky flavour of bacon, without actually eating meat. With the impressive nutritional values, ‘dulse’ will be seen as a superfood, even though we are getting a bit bored with the ‘superfood’ hype. Anyway whether we stigmatize it as a superfood or not, this seaweed is another possible alternative food source.
Inspiration
It might be a great idea for restaurants, especially those located at sea, to start experimenting with this ingredient. The Food Innovation Centre (FIC) is currently also experimenting with this product, along with two other parties. Their Agricultural Experiment Station is located in Portland, Oregon. Read more about this meat substitute here.
Rotterdam ranked 4th place in the top 10 cities by Lonely Planet next year?
9-11-2015
With a lot of new initiatives in town, it wouldn’t surprise us! Like for example RiF010 will open in 2016. The ‘Steigersgracht’ (part of the river De Rotte) in Rotterdam will be separated from the rest of Rotte. The water will be purified and a wave installation will be placed in this part of the river. Several kinds of water sports will be put into practice in RiF010.
RiF010
At the beginning of the new, closed ‘Steigersgracht’ a ‘wave installation’ will be placed. Every 8 to 9 seconds, this installation will push a 1,5 meter high wave through the canal. The waves will make the RiF010, the ideal place for surfers in Rotterdam. Besides being the ideal place for surfers, the clear water makes RiF010 suitable for diving lessons, kayaking, stand up paddle surfing or bodyboarding as well.
The beach house
At the edge of the canal a wooden beach house will be placed. The beach house will offer a beautiful view on the surfers, paddle surfers and divers. Besides the view, it will also provide changing rooms and showers. The beach house will be located between the RiF010 and the actual river De Rotte. The location makes canoe trips on the Rotte through the centre of Rotterdam possible.
Construction and opening
The city initiative got most of the votes from the Rotterdam population last year. At this moment, the promoters of RiF010 are busy planning the entire project. It’s expected to open in 2016 and will be accessible to the public.
Ranking in the top 10 cities by Lonely Planet
We believe that initiatives such as RiF010 will certainly contribute to an even higher ranking in the recently published top 10 cities by Lonely Planet.
Slow-melting ice cream
6-11-2015
Scottish scientists have discovered a new natural protein, BslA (Biofilm surface level A) that makes ice cream more resistant to melting.
The advantage of slow-melting ice cream
This new discovery allows us to eat ice cream in a relaxed way without getting sticky fingers, even on hot summer days. In a study conducted by a joint team from the University of Dundee and the University of Edinburgh, researchers have discovered this naturally-occurring protein. When added to ice cream, BslA binds together the air, fat, and water in ice cream, making them more stable in a mixture. Next to that the BslA has more advantages. The protein also helps to prevent the formation of ice crystals, giving ice cream a smoother, finer texture. Because of the fact that ice cream with BslA binds better, it will be possible to make ice cream with less saturated fat and calories.
This protein could be useable in products as chocolate mousse as well as in mayonnaise, due to the fact that you can lower the amount of saturated fats. More important, the taste of the product isn’t influenced. The protein is now used in a Japanese breakfast dish called Natto, that is made of fermented soybeans.
Not yet for sale
The slow-melting ice cream will not be on the market within the next three to five years. But in 2020 we will probably all enjoy slow-melting ice cream!
Gastkok.nl: working at a professional kitchen for one day
5-11-2015
Through the Dutch initiative Gastkok.nl hobby cooks can work side by side with a star chef for a day at restaurant Amarone (* Michelin). The chef of restaurant Amarone, Gert Blom, is the ambassador for this initiative the coming year. ‘I genuinely like to allow amateur cooks to take a look at what we do and how much love and dedication we put into our work.’
A glimpse into the culinary world with Gastkok.nl
Gastkok.nl is an initiative of Hans Zwart. Many amateur cooks secretly do have the desire to work in a real restaurant and turn their love for cooking into a profession for one day. Gastkok.nl makes this wish come true. Through their website they offer the possibility to work at a professional kitchen in one of the fourteen affiliated restaurants, restaurant Amarone (in Rotterdam) being the only restaurant with a Michelin star. Under the guidance of a professional chef the hobby cooks (possibly in a duo) will work in a professional kitchen, where they can learn some tricks of the trade.
Restaurant Amarone
The award-winning restaurant Amarone is run by star chef Gert Blom. The cooking style of Gert Blom is deeply rooted in, a lighter version of, the French cuisine. From the moment Gert was asked by Gastkok.nl, he viewed it as a great opportunity to give people a glimpse into his culinary world. As amateur cook you will get the opportunity to learn some of his tricks and apply it to your own cooking.
Catch your own fish at restaurant chain Zauo
4-11-2015
The chain of Zauo restaurants in Japan serves fresh fish at the next level. Fresher is not possible, since guests can choose to catch their own fish.
Pricing policy at restaurant chain Zauo
It is even cheaper if the visitor catches his or her own fish. For example, the regular price for a red snapper is ¥ 3.360 (€ 25,=), but if the fish is caught by him- or herself, the guest only pays ¥ 2.499 (€ 19,=). The guest benefits in three ways: it is cheaper, it is fun and the fish is as fresh as possible. The fish can be prepared in various ways amongst others as sushi, tempura, pan fried and as soup. Restaurant Zauo has several locations in Japan and is very popular amongst residents and tourists.
The catching process at Zauo
The guest buys the bait at the restaurant at a price range between 100 and ¥ 200 (€ 0,75 and € 1,50) , and the fishing rods can be borrowed. Then you decide which fish you would like to catch and eat. You have to choose among others between sea bream, red snapper, flounder and lobsters. If the guest has problems catching the fish, employees are always willing to give advice. There is no such thing as a ‘catch and release’ here, once the fish is caught, he is bought. If the guest really doesn’t want the fish, the fish can be released for ¥ 200. If the fish is caught, the guest will hand it over to an employee so it can be prepared. Moreover, it can even be prepared in two different ways. If the fish doesn’t bite or if the guest fails in catching the fish, you can order from the menu. However this guest will not receive any discount! For guests who prefer anything but fish, there are alternatives, like fried chicken, chicken meatballs, fries and more.
Inspiration
Of course we are all familiar with the lobster aquariums which are sometimes even filled with fish. Or think about those fish ponds where you go to catch your own fish. They even sometimes have a restaurant located at these ponds where you can have your freshly caught fish prepared. Check out the video above to see the difference with the restaurant chain Zauo.
Is the Keurig KOLD system a replacement for the mini-bar?
3-11-2015
With the Keurig KOLD system you will make your own soda in just 8 seconds. Will this be a possible replacement for the minibar?
How does it work?
The system is based on coffee machines like the Nespresso machine and the Senseo. The provider offers a range of flavours of soft drinks in the form of a pad. You can choose one of your favourite soft drinks, put the pad in the machine and push the start button. The water will be pressed through the pad. You are able to set your favourite temperature to get yourself a perfectly chilled, fresh glass of soda. The Keurig KOLD system works without the aid of a carbon dioxide cartridge, making it user friendly.
You can make different drinks with the Keurig KOLD system
Currently the producers have agreements with different soda vendors, such as Coca-Cola. In addition, the Keurig system KOLD can prepare different soft drinks, iced teas, flavoured waters and sports drinks.
Mini-bar
The system seems an ideal replacement for the minibar. The only thing you have to think of is the presence of sufficient pads in the room. Especially the step of the final invoicel and the restocking of the pads in the room, will save much time and effort.
Bitter Balzz, variant of our famous Dutch ‘bitterbal’ filled with insects
2-11-2015
At BUGZZ they create food with insects. Their goal is to bring the sustainable snack ‘Bitter Balzz’ in production and that is why they started a crowdfunding project.
Bitter Balzz
BUGZZ uses our traditional ‘bitterbal’ (a Dutch treat; a small round croquette) to let us, consumers, get acquainted with healthier insects in an accessible way. BUGZZ created the ‘bitterbal’ with buffalo worms. Everybody in the Netherlands has tasted a ‘bitterbal’ at least once, why wouldn’t they try the Bitter Balzz? At events where BUGZZ was present, the Bitter Balzz were very popular. Because of the fact that the insects are hidden, it is easier to move beyond prejudices against insects.
Why insects?
80% of the world use insects in all their dishes, and insects are, according to BUGZZ and their customers, very tasty and versatile. In recent years, we increasingly hear about insects as a healthier and more sustainable alternative to meat. Insects take up much less space, they need less nutrition and water and produce much less emissions in relation to, for example, the cow. Next to those facts they also contain a lot of calcium! There are many more initiatives in the field of insects, we spotted amongst others a pizza with grasshoppers and a spread made of mealworms.
Who are the people behind BUGZZ?
Anne-Marie and Patrick, the founders of BUGGZ have different backgrounds, but have one thing in common: they love to cook tasty and adventurous meals. BUGZZ has only been operative for half a year and they have been seen at different festivals like the NeighbourFood Market, ‘Rollende Keuken’, Best Kept Secret, Amsterdam Kookt and the Amsterdam Woods Festival. Anne-Marie, Patrick and their team try to convince people to try insects as an alternative food source, in an enthusiastic manner.
Joinn! Hotspot for Lounge, Work and Short Stay
30-10-2015
Joinn! in Houten (a city located in the center of the Netherlands) is a new location with flex offices, a lounge & food area and 25 city lofts. The building in which Joinn! is located was empty for more than 5 years and has been transformed from regular offices into a unique hotspot.
Redeveloped into a hotspot
In many cities all over the world, the transformation of old buildings is high on the agenda. The so-called ‘transformations’ also fit into the policy that many municipalities have to deal with in the Netherlands, such as the ‘Ladder of Sustainable Urbanization’. The company Vides, located in Houten, keeps busy with redevelopments. The past two years they have redeveloped the former PTT Post Office and NS Offices in Houten into the hotspot Joinn! The company opens its doors next week and provides workplaces for the self-employed, a lounge (food & drinks) and city lofts (short stay, stay between two nights to one year).
Joinn!
Vidès and De Wit architecten were charged with the redevelopment, involving a creative process at every turn of the conceptual interpretation. In the lounge they will be serving a healthy breakfast with great coffee, yogurt-to-go, fresh smoothies and pastries. For lunch and dinner a lot of local products will be served and during the weekend guests can meet for cocktails, bites and experience live music in the lounge in Joinn!
For the catering section, the beating heart of Joinn!, our consultant Guido Verschoor (Van Spronsen & Partners horeca – advies), has provided support and co-direction during the concept interpretation.
Sharing good moments at Joinn!
The combination of different functions within the building creates flexibility, dynamics and synergy. ‘Sharing good moments’ is their motto. From 6 November 2015 the old building will be bursting with energy and hopefully new connections and inspiring ideas will originate from here! More information on Facebook.
Around the fondue tree ….
29-10-2015
The Kapellerput brings a winter habit to the Netherlands. They went to France for inspiration and came back with an alternative ‘break’ during meetings, cheese fondue. You can do this around a fondue tree, a bar table with space for a bottle of wine, glasses and a fondue pot. The fondue tree can also be used at parties of course.
De l’arbre à fondue or the fondue tree
Maybe you already know the l’arbre à fondue, it originates from Switzerland and is used by restaurants and hotels located in winter sports regions, since a few years. The fondue tree is easy to move, enabling the service of a cosy cheese fondue at any place you like. Watch a promotional video from 2011 ….
About the Kapellerput
The Kapellerput is located in Heeze. The green estate is an inspiring place where a lot of meetings take place, particularly in their Kaban (tree house) and the home of (meeting in the relaxed atmosphere of a living room). They also have an innovative space, #Renewal, with all sorts of products that stimulate creativity. You can even create a pop-up meeting in the forest. Their new ‘break’-concept around the fondue tree combines incredibly well with the meeting concepts they offer. Let’s hope for cold but sunny weather during meetings at the Kapellerput this winter!
Will pupcakes become a trend in Europe?
28-10-2015
Will the trend of pupcakes and homemade dog treats also get to Europe? And what can you as a restaurant or hotel owner do with this trend?
Pupcakes, it should not get any crazier
That dog owners in America love to pamper their dogs, is well known. Dog clothes, even from well-known designers are for sale everywhere. And since the owners are crazy about cupcakes, they’re also crazy about pupcakes. Sometimes the American dog owners go one step further with parties for the dog, including pupcakes and homemade dog treats. Whilst on October 4, International Animal Day, most pets in Europe just get a bone or an extra stroke. Nonetheless all photos on Pinterest are fun to watch!
Pupcakes as inspiration for restaurant or hotel owners
How nice would it be if your restaurant at the beach or in the vicinity of dog walking fields, also offers a menu for the dog? We’re not talking about a standard cookie from the store, but a homemade ‘pupcake’ menu. The dog owner can take his or her dog out for lunch! On Pinterest you can find many different recipes for pupcakes and their icings.
In America they know how to celebrate, the bigger the better, but in Europe it would be great if you have one or two pupcakes on the menu for people’s best friend. Such an incredible welcoming gesture!
A slumber party at The Mark hotel
27-10-2015
At the 5-star hotel ‘The Mark’ in New York one can book a Slumber Party Suite. The hotel offers extra attention to the children of their guests by providing a sleep-over service and some more child friendly initiatives.
A slumber party for young guests
The Slumber Party Suite in hotel ‘The Mark’ is specifically designed for parents with young children, including their own tepee. Upon arrival at the suite, the children are surprised with chocolate milk, cookies and an in-room family movie.
The Mark Hotel really offers special extras that their young guests will love, and so will their parents. For the very young ones they even have a stroller available, completely in the style of the hotel. Designed in collaboration with stroller manufacturer, Maclaren. They’re ideal for a stroll through Central Park, located nearby. A tour through the ‘Metropolitan Museum of Art’ is organized for children from 10 to 13 years to teach them a bit about the art and culture of the city.
Rumor around the brand
In addition, the hotel has bicycles available designed in the style of the hotel (black and white stripes), including a black helmet and a basket. Do you prefer to stroll through Central Park? You can also enjoy a ‘lunch-to-go’ prepared by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The picnic basket includes luxurious ingredients, a blanket, cutlery and spices. In order not to get lost in New York’s largest park, The Mark also designed a map so guests can easily navigate through Central Park. Four legged friends are welcomed with open arms as well. The dog has receives his own basket of the brand ‘Molly Mutt’ and water bowls with a coaster that is specially designed for the hotel. This creates a ‘slumber party’ including the family dog! All those extras creates a lot of ‘rumor around the brand’.
Inspiration for hoteliers
The service that The Mark Hotel provides is very thorough. However if it inspires another hotel owner to personalize sleeping arrangements for children in a family suite, that would be wonderful. In addition, a family dog getting a warm welcome is quite unusual, especially in large cities. Hotel The Mark has inspired us before in 2013, with a 24/7 shopping service at the luxury department store, Bergdorf Goodman.
Which restaurant is going to experiment with Miracle Frooties?
26-10-2015
Why doesn’t the hospitality industry experiment with Miracle Frooties? The Frooties are made of Miracle Berries, which turns sour dishes into sweet! Also suitable for guests with diabetes.
Some time ago I have read about the Miracle Frooties. The Miracle Frooties are tablets with elements that will be temporarily attached to the tastebuds on the tongue, turning bitter and sour flavours into sweet. Several videos on the Internet show that after the complete dissolution of the tablet even one of the most acidic fruits, lemon, turns into a tasty sweet bite.
Miracle Berries
The Miracle Frooties are made of Miracle Berries. These berries have been used since hundreds of years by West African tribes. They consume the berries prior to their meal. The food will get a completely different taste. On the Miracle Frooties website you can find several products that can be combined with the tablet. Examples:
• Lemon and lime – surprisingly sweet;
• Oranges – full-bodied and sweet;
• Kiwi and Pineapple;
• Granny Smith apple;
• Rhubarb.
Curious about other examples, please check the website of Miracle Fruit World.
Use the Miracle Frooties in your restaurant
The Miracle Frooties have been on the market for several years but I haven’t seen them in restaurants yet or heard about restaurants experimenting with them. Not even at the high end restaurants who are always in for an experiment. I would love to take part of an experience where you first have a dessert without sugar and with a high amount of acids and then taste it again, after taking the pill. This might be a fun experiment for chef François Geurds, from restaurant FG in Rotterdam!
Or use the Miracle Frooties to ‘sweeten’ an acid dessert for diabetics! This way, they can also enjoy a delicious dessert without the intake of sugars. And for those guests who want to lose weight, the pill is a nice way to eat, a ‘sweet’ dessert!
If I have inspired you and you are planning to conduct this experiment, I would like to be your guinea pig! The pills can be purchased in the Netherlands on the website of V-Nix.nl. ^Bram Kosterink
A cloud of alcoholic cocktails!
23-10-2015
Bompas & Parr’s ‘alcoholic architecture’ is a pop-up cocktail bar in London’s famous ‘foodie centre’, the Borough Market. In this bar visitors can literally stand in a cloud of alcoholic cocktails.
Bompas & Parr’s pop-up
Up to and including January 2016 Bompas & Parr’s ‘alcoholic archtecture’ will be open for visitors in the Borough Market. In an enclosed area, the air is moistened with a mixture of spirits. Examples of the ‘served’ drinks are the liqueurs Chartreuse and Benedictine, a Trappist beer and fortified alcoholic wine, the notorious Buckfast.
Cloud of alcoholic cocktails
Visitors have to get in a rain suit at the entrance, and then they literally step into a cloud of alcoholic cocktails. The alcohol will be absorbed into the body through the lungs and eyes. This is exactly the reason for the signs ‘breathe responsibly’. The bar is only accessible for 18 years and older.
‘British Museum of Food’ (BMoF)
In the same building as the pop-up store ‘The British Museum of Food’ will be open for visitors from 21 October. This museum will be world’s first cultural institution which is entirely devoted to the history, evolution, science, sociology and the art of food. Some of the museum pieces are: The world’s fastest cheese trolley (from 0 to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds), the first space coffee (brought to 37 km altitude and back) and the first barbecue on 2.100 °C melted lava.
Fitness beer, grab a beer without feeling guilty!
22-10-2015
Supplemental Brewing specializes in making beer that not only tastes good, but is also healthy. On Kickstarter they launched a crowdfunding campaign to get their fitness beer, Brewtein and NutriBeer on the market in America.
Fitness beer?
Many athletes are busy with their physical health, but would also like to enjoy a beer, especially in the weekend. Supplemental Brewing wants to combine the two, and that’s how they got the idea to brew a fitness beer. This is done under the motto: ‘Workout meets your weekend’.
Brewtein and NutriBeer
Both beers are made specifically for consumers who want to enjoy a beer, after exercising, without feeling guilty. Yet both have their own taste and target audience.
Brewtein contains most proteins and is intended for athletes who specifically want to build muscle mass. It contains 7 grams of protein, which makes it a real fitness beer! However, the amount of protein doesn’t determine the taste, it’s a fairly light beer and it contains the refreshing taste of wheat. It should be served cold with a slice of lemon.
NutriBeer is a bit less strong and lower in carbohydrates and calories, which makes this beer perfect for those that work out a lot to stay slim and healthy. After an hour of heavy exercise in the gym, you can lay back on the couch with NutriBeer, without feeling guilty. This lager has a subtle lemon flavor and should be served ice cold!
Kickstarter
Supplemental Brewing started a year ago and its founder, Blake Konrady is now trying to collect money through Kickstarter to bring his ‘Fitness Beer’ on the market. For those who support him through Kickstarter, he prepared all kind of merchandise, such as shirts, sweaters, bags, a beer bell (a dumbbell in which you can place your beer) and a number of other items. Today, 22 October, he still has eight days left to get his beer funded through crowdfunding and he still has to collect over 10,000 dollar.
Last year we also spotted ‘Lean Machine’, beer and sports drink at the same time.
Berlin’s first Salmon Kebab
21-10-2015
The so called ‘Lachdöner’ from Rauch Zeichen consists of juicy salmon, cucumber, tomato, crispy fresh onion, well-seasoned with homemade honey-mustard-dill sauce and conveniently packed in traditional flatbread.
Salmon Kebab
Berlin’s new specialty, the ‘Lachdöner’ is invented by the self-made entrepreneur and amateur fisherman Ronny Unger. Often there are long lines waiting in front of the ‘Rauch-Zeichen’- food truck, that drives from market to market around Berlin. Beside the Salmon Kebab they also serve a salmonwrap, fish fries, fish buns and smoked fish. Most fish is bought at the company ‘Fischerei Angermünde’ in Uckermark but the salmon comes from antibiotic-free fish farms in Norway. The smoked fish is smoked over beech wood. For his fish ideas Ronny Unger has been awarded the ‘Seafood Star 2015’ as best starter in fish in Germany. Check out the Facebook page of ‘Rauch Zeichen’ for more information.
Inspiration
Check out other kebab concepts;
Like the robotic arm that slices the meat at restaurant ‘Super Kebab’ in London. Or the first European location of Baba Rafi that recently opened in Alkmaar. In Asia, the chain has more than 1,300 locations and the location in Alkmaar serves a kebab adapted to the European market, Kebab 2.0. And in Paris ‘Grillé’ serves a kebab that even the biggest snob can’t wait to be in line for! A Fancy Kebab or as the French say; ‘kebabs quasi gastronomiques’.
Croquettes made of 100% organic spelt
20-10-2015
An article about one of our Dutch prides, our ‘kroketten en bitterballen’ (croquettes and small croquettes). Royal Spelt created the first croquettes made of 100% organic spelt. Prepared with fresh herbs, vegetables and the best organic beef.
Royal Spelt makes croquettes made of 100% organic spelt
Royal Spelt wants to make the tastiest and best snacks in the Netherlands, made of 100% natural and organic ingredients and 100% spelt. Their slogan ‘Pure nature in a jacket of spelt’. Royal Spelt has chosen for the Eko-grain spelt, consisting of a mixture of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fats. The Eko-grain spelt also has a high protein percentage and is rich in amino acids. In addition is the filling made of biological meat without artificial colors, flavors or fragrance and the salpicon is made with spelt flour.
Healthier snack
Okay, the croquette will still be fried, but for the group of people who consciously checks the ingredients of the products they eat, the croquette is a healthier alternative. The demand for organic and spelt products increases and as ‘organic snacks’, these croquettes are an addition for caterers, restaurants and snack bars.
Royal Spelt delivers their products to companies with a conscious mind for healthy but tasty food. The aim is to make the best and most responsible croquette of the Netherlands and develop more flavours.
Mini kiwi fruit: kiwi berries
19-10-2015
In Britain, supermarket Waitrose has started selling kiwi berries which are grown in Withers Farm in Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Kiwi berries
The berries have the size of a grape and can be eaten whole. It looks a lot like the original Kiwi fruit from New Zealand but is a fraction of the size and doesn’t have furry skin. It looks a bit like a gooseberry, but tastes sweeter. The kiwi berries are getting more and more popular, we already spotted the berries in America last year at specific high end food markets. Farmers around the world are now producing it commercially. Like the article in The Daily Mail tells, supermarket Waitrose even started selling them in its stores all over Great Britain. One of the sellers of the kiwi berries in the Netherlands is Nature’s Pride.
The kiwi berries are available during the months February, March, April, September, October and November. The berry grows wild in parts of China, north-eastern Siberia, Korea and Japan. The berries are high in antioxidants, Vitamin A, C and E as well as Potassium and Magnesium.
Another fruit at the breakfast buffet!
Robotic arm to slice kebab.
16-10-2015
Super Kebab in Stoke Newington, North London has introduced a new robotic arm to slice their döner meat. We noticed some technical improvements excluding a lot of manual labour.
At Super Kebab they’re working with a robotic arm
The user controls the robot with a remote control enabling him to adjust the speed and the thickness of the slices. If you watch the video, you will notice that the slices are very thin making your döner kebab more yummy!
The robotic arm is made by Atalay döner in Istanbul, Turkey. They installed the first Robotic arm in the United Kingdom at Super Kebab in London. The robotic arm glides up and down the tower of meat guided by sensors. The owner Hakan Gorenli is very happy with his investment (around 5.000 pounds) and thinks many kebab restaurants will follow. His customers are happy with the precise and hygienical way the meat is cut.
Robots in the hospitality industry
We recently wrote about the healthy fast food (lunch) restaurant ‘Eatsa’ in San Francisco that looks more like an electronics store than a restaurant. There is no staff to take orders and everything is fully automated. The founders of Eatsa promise faster, more nutritious, affordable and tastier meals. This is realized without staff at the front of the restaurant, like the robotic arm that reduces the manual labour. In the hotel section we spotted The Hen-na hotel that opened this summer and is staffed with robot receptionists, porters, cleaners and waitresses. Are robots slowly taking over? I hope that hospitality remains human. 😉 ^Marjolein
A breadstick crust at the pizza of Pizza Hut
14-10-2015
Pizza Hut created ‘The Twisted Crust Pizza’, this pizza combines pizza and breadsticks. The pizza features a tearable, dippable breadstick crust with a choice of 2 dipping sauces…
A breadstick crust?
Pizza Hut introduced the twisted crust pizza 21 September in the USA. The company loves to stretch the possibilities of the old-fashioned pizza. Like the hotdog pizza with a hotdog in the crust and their ‘doritos crunchy crust pizza’, we wrote about last year.
Jared Drinkwater, vice president of marketing at Pizza Hut: “We are not afraid to experiment with new and innovative flavor combinations for our food, but sometimes it’s the most obvious innovations that amaze us the most – and Twisted Crust is an example of an innovation that has done just that. We know America loves our pizza, but we have an enormous, loyal group of Pizza Hut breadstick lovers out there, too. We believe our new Twisted Crust Pizza is the ultimate flavor combination of these two popular items that consumers will absolutely love.”
Inspiration
We have seen some unusual pizza combinations in the Netherlands as well. Like last year, the sauerkraut pizza from Domino’s Pizza. Pizza Hut only serves a pizza with a crust stuffed with cheese in the Netherlands though. We wonder what pizza variations we will see this winter in the Netherlands! Anyway the ‘Twisted Crust Pizza’ can be added to the list of 10 times pizza inspiration.
Les Bols de Jean – the breadbowl is going French
13-10-2015
Leonie van Spronsen, lives and works in Paris and recently lunched at ‘Les Bols de Jean’ in Paris.
The bread bowl is centuries old and in the United States completely common as chili or clam chowder holder, but in Europe not so much. Well that’s all about to change if you ask internationally renowned baker Eric Kayser and ‘world-famous-in-France’ chef Jean Imbert!
Les Bols de Jean in Paris
Since 2 weeks Jean Imbert, former winner of Topchef France, has a new lunch place right in the city center of Paris where he serves only one type of meal and that is the ‘Bol de Jean’. A ‘Bol de Jean’ is an especially developed loaf of brioche (in collaboration with Eric Kayser) that’s hollowed and the top has been cut off as a type of lid. For in the loaf you choose the dish you would like to try that day, they usually have 5 choices and they change regularly.
A must-visit lunch spot in Paris
Guess what? Delicious! The brioche is amazingly balanced, has a great structure and doen’t taste to sweet. The dish is creatively thought out and seems to match perfectly with the bread each time. On top of that it looks beautiful and it’s a new lunch concept for all Parisians. ‘Les Bols de Jean’ – I say on it’s way to become a new classic!
From the Dutch editor: In the Netherlands the Bunny Chow foodtruck serves similar bread bowls based on recipes from South Africa. Check Jean Imbert’s Instagram account for more pictures.
Co-creation around new concepts
12-10-2015
Dick Middelweerd, chef of restaurant Treeswijkhoeve (** by Michelin), has great plans for the coming weeks. From 16 October up to 25 October you can enjoy his culinary talent during the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven as at 10 November he will cook at a pop-up restaurant at Buitenplaats Amerongen.
Allegory of the South
In the iconic Augustine Church, in the heart of Eindhoven, major entrepreneurs from the region join their traditional knowledge for the ‘Allegory of the South‘. Atelier van Asseldonk will realize a complete installation, based on a twenty meter long table. The company Oogenlust will decorate the church, supported by master builder Bruns. The nave of the Augustine Church transforms at night into a dining room, where Dick Middelweerd will offer a special menu for the occasion. Guests will toast with Beerze Beer from the region. This initiative is open to visitors during the Dutch Design Week from 16 to 25 October.
Pop-up restaurant at Buitenplaats Amerongen
On 10 November Dick Middelweerd and his team will serve a one-time pop-up five-course dinner at the historic venue ‘Buitenplaats Amerongen’. They will make some of his famous local signature dishes, like his ‘Worstenbrood’ (Meatbread), the smoked salmon (on cedar) in a humidor and ‘prol’. Location is the recently renovated coach house of the historic ‘Buitenplaats Amerongen’. Besides cooking Dick Middelweerd will take care of the music as DJ at the after party!
Co-creation around new concepts
The pop-up restaurant at the historic venue ‘Buitenplaats Amerongen’ is an initiative of entrepreneurs from Amerongen, Peter-Paul Swijnenburg of Buitenplaats Amerongen and Nico Donkelaar from the Olive Oil Shop, who already successfully brought two star chef Edwin Vinke to Amerongen. They combine a wonderful evening to enjoy the dishes of a famous chef with an after party to take the feet from the floor.
The ‘Allegory of the South’ will be a great addition to the Dutch Design Week because of the co-creation of all parties. Check out their video.
Virtual Reality pop-up cinema in Amsterdam
9-10-2015
&samhoud Consultancy brings the first Virtual Reality pop-up cinema to Amsterdam. The technology of virtual reality will be shown at their office on 31 October.
Virtual Reality pop-up cinema
In this pop-up cinema in the office of &samhoud Consultancy you will be centered in the middle of a movie with the help of the virtual reality glasses and headphones. The technique of virtual reality will be applied on a large scale for the first time in the Netherlands, in this pop-up cinema. Tickets will be 10 euros and can be purchased through a dedicated Facebook page. Jip Samhoud tells more about developments in Virtual Reality worldwide in an article in a Dutch Newspaper, het Parool. He thinks that the initial hype in virtual reality is over and that virtual reality will increasingly integrate. He also admits that the movie they will show, is especially made to show the effects of virtual reality. A big challenge for film producers to create new movies! The video above shows how to use the virtual reality glasses.
Flight Funding; KLM experimenting with crowdfunding
8-10-2015
KLM is the first airline in the world that uses its social media channels for a FlightFunding experiment. Basically an experiment with crowdfunding. It is also a fine example of creating a new word in the English language and we wonder how it effects their brand image.
Oké, you say FlightFunding?
Today Juanita from Schijndel gets 24 hours (till 9 October, 7 am) the opportunity to make use of KLM’s social media friends to ‘FlightFund’ a flight to her family in Canada. KLM wants to use this experiment to test the strength of its social network. KLM has been using social media for years, it all began with the award-winning campaign, KLM Surprise in 2010. Since 2010 KLM has 24/7 social media service in 14 languages. Per week more than 150 social media service employees answer 70.000 messages from customers and fans. Amongst those messages there are many wishes from people who can’t afford to buy a ticket, but would love to travel.
Karlijn Vogel-Meijer, Manager Social Media KLM: “We would love to help everyone, of course, but sadly this is simply not an option for a business dependent on the sale of tickets. The FlightFunding concept arose from a deep-seated wish to help people make their dreams come true. This social media experiment will allow KLM to assess how its social network responds to appeals of this kind. From the stack of requests, the care team randomly selected the story of Juanita. ”
“Trial and error has played an important part in establishing KLM’s leading position in social media. FlightFunding really is an experiment. Today Juanita’s appeal has been posted on KLM’s social media channels. Everyone can make their donation on flightfunding.com. With over twelve million fans worldwide it must be possible to fund the amount for a ticket? However, in each experiment there is a chance that it will not succeed. We are very curious about the results. ”
The creative concept for Flight Funding has been developed in collaboration with Code d’Azur. See how Juanita experiences the FlightFunding.
Birthday Card biscuits; inspiration from Biscuiteers
7-10-2015
The bakery Biscuiteers in London makes birthday card biscuits. It’s something totally different than sending a regular birthday card or a bouquet of flowers.
Besides the normal assortment that most bakers have, Biscuiteers has an extra range with tins filled with biscuits for special events and birthday cards made of cookies. Besides the standard “cookies birthday cards”, you can personalize some birthday cards as well. They can put a name or a small text on it, for example. The bakery Biscuiteers has 2 shops in London and their biscuits are shipped worldwide.
Inspiration from Biscuiteers for the hospitality industry
Recently, we wrote about some great initiatives to bring attention to someone’s birthday, like the Refinery hotel in New York, which offers guests a birthday cake from the famous Magnolia Bakery if they celebrate their birthday at the hotel. By creating something special you can attract new guests, for instance a separate and festive ‘edible’ invitation for a dinner or lunch on a guests birthday! And when you do that, make sure your audience knows what you’re doing. Earlier we wrote that the use of local bloggers and youtube-bloggers can work. Check this video of Tanya Burr, she is one of those new stars known from Youtube. She especially appeals girls of 16+. In a more than 13 minutes long video, she shows all her birthday presents with at the end a birthday card made of biscuits by Biscuiteers. Until today this video has more than 873 000 views. That beats every ad!
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