Miscellaneous

🎄 Tom Martin, who founded his studio in 2010, has launched The Pursuits Collection: seven inside-painted glass baubles celebrating everyday pleasures, from coffee to cards and golf. Artisans use a centuries-old Chinese reverse-painting technique to recreate his designs inside glass. His clients include Claridge’s, Rosewood London and Belmond. Inspired by family Christmas traditions, Martin began with 100 baubles, keeping three and selling the rest online. The new collection celebrates personal interests through lasting Christmas keepsakes.

💻 MGM turned to technology as airfares climbed 45%, booking windows shortened, and room rates dropped 8%. The move came amid rising flight costs and declining hotel room prices.

🏨 César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier transformed London’s Savoy dining room around 1890, attracting high society with flattering lighting, weekend orchestras, evening dress and dishes including Peach Melba. For eight years, dining distinguished the hotel. In 1898, the Savoy fired both men over missing wine and supplier kickbacks. Three months later, they opened the Hôtel Ritz in Paris.

🌳 Culinary director Surjan Singh, known as Chef Jolly, is behind Kasi in the New Forest—his first project outside London.

🏨 Corinthia founder and chairman Alfred Pisani received the WTTC Icon Award at a VIP dinner during its 26th Global Summit in Malta, recognising his lifetime contribution to hospitality and Malta’s tourism industry. His daughter Alexandra Pisani accepted on his behalf. Pisani began with a Malta restaurant in 1962 and opened Corinthia Palace Hotel in 1968, laying the foundations for an international luxury hotel business with properties in London, Budapest, Lisbon and beyond.

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🍖 Shawarmer engineered custom AI to tackle the physics of a rotating meat cone, boosting accuracy to 90% and cutting service times by 17%.