Trends we spotted | Week 16
24-4-2023
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 among others Brian Mackenzie, who as head concierge of NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace has been awarded the prestigious title: Second Vice President of Les Clefs d’Or.
Chefs from JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs will be cooking on Swan Hellenic ships, culinary delights on beautiful sea voyages! For chocolate lovers, we spotted a ‘Bar à Mousse au Chocolat’ in Paris.
Barilla’s ‘Open Carbonara’ brings inclusivity to the table by reinventing a classic dish and making it suitable for Halal, vegan and Kosher. And in London, Energize Games opened, a new addition to the thriving activity bar scene.
The theme of the Prêt-à-Portea Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley for spring/summer 2023 is known: From Catwalk to Cakewalk. And the first permanent OREO café outside the US has opened at Doha International Airport.
Berlin-based GaeaStar aims to solve the problem of single-use plastic using an age-old Indian solution, cups and bowls made of clay. And Hyatt Hotels Corporation recently announced the official opening of the new boutique hotel The Pell, part of the JdV by Hyatt brand.
McDonald’s USA has been cooking up small but tasty improvements to the Big Mac® sandwich and other hamburgers. They’ve caught the attention of McDonald’s resident mischief-maker, the Hamburglar.
Nagano sake roadshow | Sake tastings in Belgium
21-4-2023
The Nagano prefecture in Japan is sending a delegation to Belgium in May to teach those interested about sake for two weeks. Sake and Japanese cuisine are becoming increasingly popular in fine dining and trendy restaurants in Belgium, but few people actually know what sake is. In collaboration with the local Japanese government and Belgian sake importer Kaori, a Japanese brewmaster and sake expert from the Nagano prefecture will give tastings, workshops, and training for two weeks. If you’re quick, you can book a spot at participating restaurants DIM Dining, Zuru Zuru, Chef Yoshi, Nikoniko, and Tanuki, but CRU and Filliers are also ready to host the Nagano sake roadshow.
ROOM FOR CHANGE | The Social Hub Eindhoven makes hotel rooms available to economically homeless people
20-4-2023
Hybrid business hotel The Social Hub Eindhoven has joined ROOM FOR CHANGE: a programme by The Present Movement foundation inviting hotels to make rooms available to economically homeless people. During their stay at The Social Hub, participants receive structural support. The expansion to Eindhoven stems from a joining of forces with Start Foundation, which since this year has provided financial support for both the expansion of ROOM FOR CHANGE to the ten largest municipalities (the G10) and to guide project participants into employment.
Sint Catharinadal wine | From the nuns’ overflowing wine cellars in Oosterhout
20-4-2023
A real Dutch initiative! An extremely fruitful season has led to an abundance of 64,000 bottles of wine at the nuns of the Sint Catharinadal monastery in Oosterhout (small city in the south of the Netherlands). To market this Sint Catharinadal wine, the nuns have enlisted the help of an old friend: Thibaud van der Steen of Breda’s No Waste Army.
Great idea to see if you can serve this local wine in your restaurant or bar in the area of Breda – Oosterhout?
FrietHoes ‘dishes out’ new service ware
18-4-2023
For over 10 years, FrietHoes has been preaching the fresh fries revolution: honest and delicious fries without processing, additives or other frills, but with skin. FrietHoes fries are now on the menu nationwide in numerous restaurants, the better chip shops and are also widely present with food trucks at festivals. From now on, FrietHoes will literally ‘dish out’ a new way for serving fries with the presentation of its very own dish. This enamel serving dish, which shows FrietHoes at its best, features a series of specially made illustrations by Haarlem cartoonist Joost Swarte. The illustrations tell the story from potato to fries in an original way. The launch of the dish is the continuation of a year-long collaboration between Joost Swarte and FrietHoes.
Trends we spotted | Week 15
18-4-2023
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’s links to articles about among others Tesla’s GigaBier and a culinary experience, ‘Backstage at De Librije (***)’..
High-end burger bar THE BUTCHER recently announced the introduction of extra special limited edition burgers and a McDonald’s outlet in Batumi, Georgia has a special exterior completely made of glass, link to photos.
For fans of Fanta: they have created a new perfume called ‘Scent of Fanta’ and a special place for a Starbucks shop in the middle of a botanical greenhouse in Japan.
In Helsinki, the VAloHalli opened which is a showroom and entertaiment centre by Valo Motion, where, among other things, you can play 6-player digital games in the ValoArena. With video! And in New York and Chicago, a pop-up Malibu Barbie Café opens in May. An idea by Bucket Listers.
Restaurant Sukerieje opens its doors in Zwolle
17-4-2023
Reopening – March 17, restaurant Sukerieje opened its doors at 16 Rodetorenplein in Zwolle. The restaurant moved from Dalfsen to the monumental 17th-century Hopmanshuis in Zwolle’s historic city centre. Chefs Martijn Kuik and Yannick Roodhof not only took the Sukerieje name with them to Zwolle, but also took over operation of the fine dining restaurant, which has been featured in all leading restaurant guides.
Chipotle pilots new all-electric restaurant design alongside sustainable campaign
17-4-2023
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) recently announced a new all-electric restaurant design that works to maximize energy efficiency in its equipment and systems and utilizes 100% renewable energy from wind power and solar through the purchase of certified renewable energy credits. The company recently opened restaurants with the new features in Gloucester, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida, with a third location opening later this summer in Castle Rock, Colorado [1]. The new restaurant design pilot will help Chipotle progress toward its science-based targets, established in alignment with ‘Science Based Targets initiative’ (SBTi), to reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline.
La Nostra Gigi | A piece of Italy in Amsterdam
14-4-2023
Opening – This week, a new hospitality concept opens that offers plenty of room for Italian shared dining and a cozy drink at the charming red cocktail bar. La Nostra Gigi is located at the Marie Heinekenplein in De Pijp neighborhood in Amsterdam. Immersed in Italian atmospheres, La Nostra Gigi is a sparkling addition to the capital’s hospitality offerings. It’s a colorful trattoria, cocktail bar, and lounge all in one, where you can always go for an espresso macchiato, a nice glass of Chianti, a festive cocktail, or an extensive dinner. Keep it simple or go all out, anything is possible here.
Dine on Water | Top restaurants push their limits on the SUPPER Cruise
14-4-2023
From May 16th up to and including May 25th, the SUPPER Cruise will be the setting for a beautiful pop-up dinner event. A unique concept where 4 restaurants provide a dinner on the water. While the cruise sails on the waters of Amsterdam, guests can enjoy a delicious menu, live entertainment, and breathtaking views. The first edition of ‘Dine on Water’ includes the restaurants Bar Rouge, Baut, Helling 7, and Pesca. These Amsterdam based restaurants will cook their hearts out for 9 days during a trip along the Amsterdam skyline.
In the USA the fortune cookie message will now be written by ChatGPT
13-4-2023
OpenFortune is one of the fastest growing media platforms that delivers creative advertising via fortune cookies at 47,000 restaurants in the U.S.. They have announced a transformational shift in their content creation strategy: embracing OpenAI’s ChatGPT for writing fortune messages. This move will enable OpenFortune to effectively provide an unlimited number of completely new, unique fortunes to millions of consumers dining at restaurants and at home, all while maintaining the integrity of traditional fortune cookies.
Order Domino’s Pizza through Apple CarPlay
13-4-2023
In the U.S.A. you now have the convenience of ordering Domino’s Pizza from your car, without waiting in long drive-thru lines. The largest pizza company in the world is giving customers a new and more efficient way to order while on the go: via Domino’s iOS app on Apple CarPlay.
Bareksten Botanical Gin brings the taste of the Norwegian forests to the Netherlands
13-4-2023
An article for the Gin lovers! Master blender and distiller Stig Bareksten is introducing a new gin, called Bareksten Botanical Gin, to the Dutch market. A gin that represents the essence of Norway both inside and out, thanks in part to its ingredients and harsh living conditions. The gin is therefore described as tough, spicy, full of character, dark and wild.
Taste ‘Bara chicken’ by two-Michelin stars chef Soenil Bahadoer at the bakeries of Shell stations
13-4-2023
Following in the footsteps of Dutch heroes, Shell is introducing the theme ‘Taste the world’s cuisine’ this year. Every quarter, Shell introduces a new themed range inspired by world flavours. This quarter, the focus is on Surinamese and Indian cuisine and Shell entered into a temporary collaboration with Soenil Bahadoer, chef and owner of the two Michelin-starred restaurant De Lindehof. The specials developed by Soenil are now available at all Shell stations with a bakery in the Netherlands.
Fruit beers by Lowlander | Brewed with surplus fruit
13-4-2023
Botanical brewer Lowlander has been brewing for years with herbs, spices and fresh fruit, or botanicals, each bringing its own unique flavour. Now the botanical brewer is going one step further, launching a rotating range of fruit beers. Fruit beers by Lowlander are brewed with fruit and botanical ingredients added to a white beer base. This not only results in deliciously complex new flavour combinations without unnecessary additives, but also reduces food waste.
Trends we spotted | Week 14
11-4-2023
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, among other things, the lightest champagne bottle in the world from Telmont Champagne, made from glass with 35 grams less weight than the standard bottle. And event location SugarCity Events has a new name: SugarFactory, located in Halfweg near Amsterdam.
A ‘Bucket List Program’ for the employees of the Dutch hotel management company IHCP to attract and keep more staff. And Podium Mozaïek in Amsterdam West is looking for a hospitality partner.
McDonald’s will introduce new products this summer in the Netherlands, including the Milk Shake Tropical, McFlurry Maltesers, (Veggie) McWrap Greek and Pop Dots. And in London, the Prada Caffé has opened, an ultra-stylish ‘caffé’ in Harrods. A pop-up until early 2024.
The ‘Do good’ initiative of the ‘The Present Movement’ received an investment from the Start Foundation for scaling up their homeless program ‘ROOM FOR CHANGE’. This program helps economically homeless people who are temporarily accommodated in hotels.
The Michelin stars have been published in Germany. Chef Jan Hartwig was immediately awarded 3 Michelin stars in his new restaurant JAN. And spotted in America: the first ‘Rule the Drive-Thru’ game show from Checkers® & Rally’s®.
Beaches Resorts released new Sensory Guides in their autism program
7-4-2023
Home to the Caribbean’s first advanced autism-friendly kids camps, and as the first all-inclusive resort company in the world to complete the rigorous International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and Autism Certification, Beaches® Resorts expands its exemplary autism program with the release of all-new Sensory Guides. Carefully developed by the IBCCES and designed to allow caregivers and guests with cognitive disabilities to more comfortably navigate the on-resort experience based on specific sensory sensitivities, the Sensory Guides comprise extensive resort maps with public areas – such as the resorts’ many pools, dining spaces, and sports hubs – rated on a 1-10 scale of sensory stimulation.
This month is Autism Acceptance Month (April 2023) and we spotted this another initiative for guests on the autism spectrum in the Legoland Resorts in North America. They will become ‘Certified Autism Centers’ this spring. Are there initiatives like this in Europe?
Le Macaron mania spreads in the USA | Multiple new locations
7-4-2023
Le Macaron, the leading French Pastries and Macaron franchise in the United States, announced the upcoming openings of three new locations this spring in Traverse City, Michigan, Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Tampa, Florida, with an additional 8-10 locations planned by the end of summer. As the #1 macaron franchise with more than 75 locations nationwide, the popular French patisserie is enjoying steady expansion as successful franchisees scramble to open multiple locations and new owners hold grand openings for shops, kiosks in malls, or food trucks.
Box Sociaal opens a new Australian-style Bruncheria in the Jordaan and in Rotterdam
6-4-2023
Opening – In the year that Box Sociaal in the Plantage neighbourhood in Amsterdam-East celebrates its fifth anniversary, the Box Sociaal family is expanding with a Box Sociaal Jordaan at Bloemgracht 47 in Amsterdam in the old premises of restaurant L’invité. In addition, Rotterdam can start looking forward to a Box Sociaal at the 2e Middellandstraat 5b, this restaurant is under renovation and will open by the end of this summer.
Special Easter eggs from The Entourage Group
3-4-2023
It is almost Easter and with this in mind, The Entourage Group has created special Easter eggs for all its restaurants. All special Easter eggs have their own colour, filling and flavour linked to the restaurants. You can also take all the Easter eggs home with you!
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SLA opens new location in Leiden
31-3-2023
From now on, Leiden can also enjoy “the magic of veggies” with all the healthy and delicious things SLA has to offer. The fast-growing fast casual concept SLA is expanding nationwide and has opened a 14th location in the center of Leiden. Together with franchisees Berre and Munur, SLA opened the first of a series of new branches on Maarsmansteeg in Leiden.
New Brewery Maris Lager in The Hague
28-3-2023
The new brewery Maris Lager from The Hague introduces an authentic lager with a modern twist, deeply rooted in the rich beer culture. Founded in November 2022 and run by Diederik Leenarts, Maris Lager is a breath of fresh air for the Dutch beer market, which mainly offers Pilsner in the Lager family. But Lager beers have so much more to offer! The brewery is named after the mermaid standing proudly on the lighthouse in Scheveningen and Maris Lager promises a unique taste experience.
Bicicletta bar at your outdoor dining space
28-3-2023
A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen with an idea for the outdoor dining space of your restaurant: a Bicicletta bar!
This blog was first published in Dutch on the website of Van Spronsen & Partners, hospitality consultants.
Slow delivery by Bagels & Beans’ Bagelbus
28-3-2023
In the stressful era of flash delivery, time management and emerging individualism, Bagels & Beans is creating a place of calmness and togetherness on wheels: the Bagelbus. With its unique ‘slow delivery’ concept, Bagels & Beans is giving the hectic and impersonal world anno nowadays a much-needed push back. The prototype neighbourhood bus has been tested and the first routes in the Utrecht area will be launched in April.
Restaurant Matelief opens its doors in the old harbour of Rotterdam
28-3-2023
Opening – In Rotterdam’s picturesque Old Harbour, the new restaurant Matelief opens its doors. Located directly on the waterside with a sunny terrace overlooking the ships, the Witte Huis (White House) and the Willemsbrug, enjoy the ultimate Rotterdam summer experience here. At the iconic location, famous sailors from history come back to life. The restaurant is situated in the former Maritime Pub. The place where Rotterdam sailors drank their drinks at the bar.