Diageo announces creation of world’s first ever 100% plastic free paper-based spirits bottle

17-7-2020

  • 100% plastic free paper-based spirits bottle for Johnnie Walker by Diageo

Diageo, makers of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, has today announced that it has created the world’s first ever 100% plastic free paper-based spirits bottle, made entirely from sustainably sourced wood. The bottle will debut with Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch Whisky, in early 2021.

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NONA June | Gin-Tonic without hangover

16-7-2020

  • NONA June, non-alcoholische drankje
  • NONA June, non-alcoholische drankje
  • NONA June, non-alcoholische drankje
  • French N°9 cocktail met de non-alcoholische NONA June
  • NONA Collins cocktail met de non-alcoholische NONA June
  • NONA tonic met de non-alcoholische NONA June

Gin & Tonic: It is arguably the most popular drink of the last couple of years. Just a pity that the alcohol percentage is so high that the next day you need a lot of aspirin, a fleece blanket, a sofa and about ten hours of Netflix to overcome the hangover. There are plenty of non-alcoholic spirits for sale, but none really taste like pure gin, according to the makers of NONA June. “That could be differently,’’ thought the Charlotte a bio-engineer from Ghent (Belgium), and she created NONA June, which is an alcohol-free gin that cannot be distinguished from the real gin. The Kicker? Charlotte only allowed herself to launch NONA June after the approval and support of renowned sommeliers and chefs.

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Trends we spotted | Week 29

16-7-2020

  • trends we spotted this week

Here in the Netherlands it looks like we control the #Covid-19 outbreak and we’re trying to get used to the new normal. We wish all those living in areas where all the measurements against the pandemic are still in place to stay healthy and take care of each other.

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’.

This week, among other links to articles about the opening of the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, an automated dumpling shop which is offering the first ‘Zero Human Interaction (Z.H.I.)’ restaurant experience ! And Phoenix Arizona will open the first Atari hotel with a video game theme.

Design and innovation firm Teague has developed a way to create an “air curtain” around each passenger for in plains. And at the Seaside Finolhu hotel you can book a ‘Beach Bubble’ on a small island at the Maldives! Sounds like the perfect getaway during the Covid-19 pandemic, although you might need the ‘air curtain’ during the flight to the Maldives!

The Chinese hotel chain Leyeju is perfect place for staying, taking into account the coronavirus. The hotel employs just two members of staff, it operates with an entirely automated experience. Both hotel chains Virgin Hotels and CitizenM also offer ‘contactless stays’ through their apps.

At Cakeland Gallery in Los Angeles, the exhibit called The Beauty War, will open this Friday, July 17,  reservations by appointment only and the exhibit will be on view until December 31, 2020.

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Makeen Technologies | Latest mobile app development trends

14-7-2020

  • Makeen Technologies
  • Makeen Technologies
  • Makeen Technologies

This is a guest blog by Makeen Technologies from the U.S. with their thoughts on cloud computing, user engagement, wearable tech, mobile payments, in-app marketing, app security and HTML5. With their thoughts on the future; “Developers are shifting toward a future governed by user experience, mobile payment, and hybrid technologies that reach across platforms. Current and future app development will be in part tested by its ability to incorporate cloud computing, m-commerce, and mobile advertising into its arsenal. While you may not be able to include these trends into your current development alone, you can find the right team to implement them for you.” Makeen Technologies is a leading global provider of end-to-end technology solutions.

A guest blog that might enable hospitality entrepreneurs to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the mobile landscape. 

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Net zero energy-designed McDonald’s restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort

14-7-2020

  • The net zero energy-designed McDonald's restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort
  • This is how McDonald's created their net zero energy-designed restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort
  • This is how McDonald's created their net zero energy-designed restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort
  • This is how McDonald's created their net zero energy-designed restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort

What if a restaurant could generate all its own power from renewable energy? McDonald’s has completed construction of a first-of-its-kind restaurant designed to do just that – create enough renewable energy on-site to cover 100% of its energy needs on a net annual basis. Their global flagship restaurant will serve as a learning hub for McDonald’s to test solutions for reducing energy and water use, a testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable innovation.

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Virtual influencer as brand ambassador for Postillion Hotels

7-7-2020

  • Erik-Jan Ginjaar, algemeen directeur Postillion Hotels & Esther Olofsson

Early 2021, Postillion Hotels will be the first Dutch hotel chain to enter into a long-term partnership with Esther Olofsson, the first virtual influencer in the Netherlands. This starts at the occasion of the opening of their new hotel in the World Trade Center (WTC) Rotterdam. Olofsson is fully computer generated and created by communication agency RauwCC. As a brand ambassador made from bits and bytes, she is prominent at the festive unveiling and opening of the new Postillion hotel and will be available as the most trusted city guide for hotel guests 24/7.

You can follow Esther Olofsson on her Instagram account, in addition, a complete profile of Esther has been compiled. For example: she was ‘born’ in Malmö, Sweden, is 29 years old and has lived in Rotterdam since 2019. Just like a real-life influencer, Esther works with local entrepreneurs and on behalf of brands that match her character and taste!

Reading time: 2 minutes

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WATER³ natural mineral water | A sustainable choice for responsible consumers

7-7-2020

  • WATER³ or Cubed Water, 100% recyclable from the UK
  • WATER³ or Cubed Water, 100% recyclable from the UK

Very environmentally friendly WATER³ (Water Cubed) from DRINKS³ (Drinks Cubed), 100% recyclable, greater transport efficiencies versus conventional plastic bottles and made with 95% plant based materials. The team behind DRINKS3 has a mission to build a brand based on ethical production and planet sustainability that trail-blaze the rest of the drinks industry for a better tomorrow.

WATER³ natural mineral water is a sustainable choice for responsible consumers, the carton-bottles are made FSC® Certified, they generate 41% less CO2 than disposable PET multilayer bottles and are thus 100% recyclable. WATER³ is sold in the UK for at example at different Whole Foods locations, like Clapham Junction, Camden, Fulham, Kensington, Piccadilly Circus, Richmond and Stoke Newington.

Reading time: 1 minute

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The Upside Down Amsterdam | The largest ‘Instagram museum’ in Europe

7-7-2020

  • Anna Nooshin in The Upside Down Amsterdam - credits The Upside Down Amsterdam
  • Anna Nooshin in The Upside Down Amsterdam - credits The Upside Down Amsterdam
  • The Upside Down Amsterdam
  • The Upside Down Amsterdam

On the third of July Anna Nooshin opened the doors of her own completely new Instagram museum: The Upside Down Amsterdam. After a year and a half of brainstorming, planning and searching for the perfect location, this dream has come true in collaboration with entrepreneur Hans Plesman. Visitors can immerse themselves in a completely new museum experience. The Upside Down Amsterdam also wants to activate social involvement and bring a deeper message. Attention is asked for ‘forgotten children’, among other things, with which they support the foundation ‘Het vergeten Kind’ (the Forgotten Child). The initiators believe that everyone has the right to play and that’s why they are opening up the experience to this target group in cooperation with the foundation.

“It’s great that after years this dream can finally be realised. With The Upside Down Amsterdam we want to create so much more than just an Instagram worthy museum. We want to tell a story about the Netherlands of today and give visitors and creatives the opportunity to fully develop themselves in our museum. In addition, one of our most important pillars besides entertainment is education and we will focus on lectures and master classes where experienced content creators and influencers share their creative passion with our visitors”, says Anna Nooshin.

Reading time: 1 minute

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The World’s 50 Best Restaurants | Bid for Recovery

6-7-2020

  • Bid for Recovery Auction
  • The full De Librije dining experience at the 'Bid for Recovery' auction
  • Exclusive dinner with Bob Nolet at the 'Bid for Recovery' auction
  • Ketel One bottles at the 'Bid for Recovery' auction
  • Bid for Recovery Auction

Until this Sunday (July twelfth) all food and travel enthusiasts have the opportunity to bid for out-of-this-world gastronomic experiences with the world’s best chefs. The ‘Bid for Recovery’ Auction is organized by the organisation behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The 50 Best ‘Bid for Recovery’ Auction is the largest global event of its kind, aiming to raise funds that will provide direct and tangible financial relief for restaurants worldwide as they emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. The auction is a key fund-raising element of the 50 Best for Recovery programme, announced last month, in partnership with founding donor S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

The 50 Best ‘Bid for Recovery’ Auction does feature more than 100 lots, providing the opportunity for bidders to select from an array of the most extraordinary global gastronomic experiences imaginable, as well as rare and limited-edition items. For example the Dutch restaurant De Librije (***), offers a package that includes a food-and-wine pairing with Jonnie and Thérèse Boer, a dinner at their new Brass Boer Thuis restaurant, an overnight stay at Librije hotel including breakfast and a lunch at De Librije. Until now they’ve received 6 bids and the price is now 1.350,= pounds. Many more bid possibilities in the vicinity of the Netherlands!  They also launched an e-cookbook with simple lockdown recipes by chefs, in exchange for an eight pound minimum donation. The proceeds of this e-cookbook will  also go to the 50 Best Recovery Fund. 

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Trends we spotted | Week 26

30-6-2020

  • trends we spotted this week

Here in the Netherlands it looks like we control the #Covid-19 outbreak and we’re trying to get used to the new normal. We wish all those living in areas where all the measurements against the pandemic are still in place to stay healthy and take care of each other.

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’.

This week, among other links to articles about Prosecco Rosé that will hit the market in 2021 and about a Ramen Pizza, created by Pizza Hut and Japanese ramen chain Menya Musashi.

In Reykjavík ICE & FRIES opened their doors, a selfservice concept with a bionic bar. Two cocktail-shaking and dancing robots create more than 150 drinks per hour.

And in New York the city government is considering extensive road closures as part of its plans to slowly reopen its economy, The architecture and design company The Rockwell Group have created a modular kit to create safe terraces on the pavements.

Airbnb is going to measure discrimination at their platform, they’re creating a system in cooperation with Color Of Change and with guidance from civil rights and privacy rights organizations. The project is called Project Lighthouse. And Starbucks introduces an Impossible Breakfast Sandwich in selected locations in the U.S.  read more

‘Rain Check Registry’ by Domino’s Pizza in the USA | For those who have to postpone their wedding because of the pandemic

29-6-2020

  • Domino's Pizza created a 'Ran Check Registry' for those who had to postpone their wedding

Domino’s Pizza knows that wedding planning is exhausting. Replanning a wedding due to a pandemic is twice as exhausting. Now friends and family can send couples pizza to show their support with Domino’s new Rain Check Registry, on dominosweddingregistry.com.

Many couples have had to postpone their weddings due to the circumstances around COVID-19. Great marketing by Domino’s Pizza in the USA to help make their days brighter with their ‘Rain Check Registry’.  

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The WELYNQ app , the smart green card for an event and hospitality visit

29-6-2020

  • De app van WELYNQ ontzorgt bij de controle gesprekken
  • De app van WELYNQ ontzorgt bij de controle gesprekken

Everyone is looking forward to visit events, theatres, a cozy terrace or booking a table in a restaurant. The event and hospitality industry is ready, but also knows that the requirements are strict. Here in the Netherlands everyone has to indicate to be healthy beforehand. Only when you answer all questions about your health positively, you get a virtual green card that allows you to enter either the event, theatre or restaurant. A great step forward, but there are quite a few snags. And what if it turns out that someone with corona was at the location you visited? Then you want to know that, too. WELYNQ has developed an app that solves it all.

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Camping at Olof’s in Amsterdam| Master chef Chris Naylor opens BBQ restaurant

26-6-2020

  • Chef Crhis Naylor van Camping at Olof's in Amsterdam - credits HBMEO George Maas
  • Camping at Olof's in Amsterdam - credits HBMEO George Maas
  • Camping at Olof's in Amsterdam - credits HBMEO George Maas
  • Camping at Olof's in Amsterdam - credits HBMEO George Maas

In the months of July and August, the temporary restaurant Camping at Olof’s opens its doors in the oldest chapel in Amsterdam: the Sint Olofskapel on the Zeedijk. It will be a barbecue restaurant led by chef Chris Naylor of Michelin-starred restaurant Vermeer.

A pop-up staycation restaurant that requires you to book a camping pitch! You cannot sleep there, but you can enjoy the camping atmosphere and great food. Inspiration for chefs all over the world, create a special restaurant once your government allows you to open again!

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The Grand Beach | The French Riviera in the heart of Amsterdam

25-6-2020

  • The Grand Beach at #SofitelLegendTheGrandAmsterdam - credits Michael Graste
  • The Grand Beach at #SofitelLegendTheGrandAmsterdam - credits Michael Graste
  • The Grand Beach at #SofitelLegendTheGrandAmsterdam - credits Michael Graste

On Wednesday 24 June, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam opened ‘The Grand Beach’ in its historic courtyard. A beach and terrace inspired by the French Riviera where guests enjoy a cold glass of rosé or a fresh cocktail and French dishes and snacks in a summery atmosphere. Until September 13th, the courtyard will be transformed into a real sandy beach with various seating areas – a meter and a half away from each other, of course -, a bar and with a regular DJ providing summery background music. The opening of The Grand Beach coincides with La Fête de la Musique, during which all Sofitel Hotels around the world celebrate summer in French style.

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‘Rond de Tafel’ in the Gashouder Amsterdam | the new dining in the social distancing way

12-6-2020

  • Logo 'Rond de Tafel' at the Gashouder Amsterdam
  • 'Rond de Tafel' at the Gashouder Amsterdam
  • timeline of 'Rond de Tafel' at the Gashouder Amsterdam
  • Egon van Hoof, one of the chefs of 'De Ronde Tafel' at the Gashouder Amsterdam
  • Wilco Berends, one of the chefs of 'De Ronde Tafel'at the Gashouder Amsterdam
  • Erik van Loo, one of the chefs of 'De Ronde Tafel' at the Gashouder Amsterdam
  • Richard van Oostenbrugge, one of the chefs of 'De Ronde Tafel' at the Gashouder Amsterdam
  • Soenil Bahadoer, one of the chefs of 'De Ronde Tafel' at the Gashouder Amsterdam

From the 1st of July until the 31st of August, the Gashouder on the Westergas will be transformed into the largest one and a half meter restaurant in the Netherlands, called ‘De Ronde Tafel’ (the round table). A concept in which various top chefs temporarily move their kitchen and spoil and surprise 100 guests with an exclusive 5-course menu accompanied by top-quality wines, every night. Read on to see of which 5 top chefs you can enjoy a 5-course dinner!

It is a collaboration of Les Patrons Cuisiniers, which is also partly responsible for the selection of the guests, Westergas and Famous Flavours. It is a great idea to combine the cooking skills of top chefs with the space of the Gashouder! We publish this article in English as well, as we believe the collaboration between the event industry and the restaurants industry is great. What are you able to organize on a local level in collaboration with the event industry?

Reading time: 1 minute, reservation may take a little longer ?

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