Miscellaneous

📅 On September 30, 2026, at Penn State University Park, the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society will honor alumni at the 2026 Alumni Awards Reception. Awardees include Craig Huse ('92), Ryan Spear ('02), and Ryan Cimei ('03). The event coincides with the 21st "Alumni in the Classroom" event. The newly introduced Chairperson's Award will be awarded to the Book family. The School of Hospitality Management celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2027 and ranks No. 3 in the U.S. by the 2026 QS World University Rankings.

🍴 Sticks’n’Sushi, a Danish-Japanese restaurant group, reported £104.8 million in revenue for 2025, a 6% increase, while achieving £8.2 million in adjusted EBITDA. The company opened its first Scottish restaurant in Glasgow, marking its 31st location. Expansion continues in 2026 with a new restaurant in Manchester, totaling 32 locations, and plans to open in Prague, Birmingham, and Leeds. UK B2B and catering grew by 21%. The team comprises 1,400 employees across Denmark, Germany, and the UK.

🏖 Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire offers diverse summer experiences. Bar at Wild Carrot, open 11:00 am to midnight, serves Surinder Virk’s unique cocktails like the 14-day Damson Negroni. La Terrazza features Italian cuisine Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Wildlife exploration on 500 acres utilizes SWAROVSKI OPTIK binoculars. Private birdwatching costs GBP 175 for two hours. Summer pod dining and Pool Bar, open 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, extend tranquility until September 30.

💸 In the 21st century, luxury is shifting from ostentatious displays to discreet, meaningful experiences. Gen Z demands sustainability and authenticity, while India and Perth emerge as new luxury markets, emphasizing refinement over bling. With high-net-worth individuals, Perth favors fine dining and bespoke homes. The focus is now on intimate, exclusive experiences, such as Crown Towers Perth, emphasizing simplicity, elegance, and service. The redefined luxury is about values, transformation, and unique personal journeys.

🍴 Chef Stuart Ralston opened Lyla in Edinburgh, a Michelin-starred venue, in 2014. Since April 2026, Lyla includes four coastal plant-themed bedrooms. Located on Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, it highlights Scottish seafood through its 10-course tasting menu. Guests experience dishes like squid ramen and sorrel sorbet. Dinner costs £185 per person, and overnight stays with dinner start at £715. Room-only rates begin at £345, including breakfast. The Georgian townhouse setting enhances the luxurious yet intimate atmosphere.

🎡 Architect Anne Fourcade conceived Mirapolis in 1980, opening on May 20, 1987, in Courdimanche, France. Despite initial expectations of 2.5 million visitors annually, only 600,000 visited in the first year, leading to a 20 million franc deficit. The park closed on October 20, 1991, after 5 seasons, with losses of 300 million francs. Future projects, including Uxco Group's 2023 proposal, face environmental reviews and community relocation challenges. The Île-de-France authority flagged issues in July 2024.

🎤 Grammy-winning pianist Yuja Wang and DJ Charlotte de Witte headline Mandarin Oriental's new Fan Campaign, launched globally on August 4, 2026. Filmed in London and Bodrum, it highlights their preparation rituals. The campaign offers guest experiences: "In-Room Dining: At Full Volume" at select hotels like Dubai and New York, and "Intelligent Movement: At Full Volume" worldwide. For over 25 years, the campaign has celebrated excellence, reflecting the brand's emphasis on personalized service and care.

🍴 In Atlanta's Westside, Füm restaurant merges dining with performance through an open wood-fired kitchen, inspired by Italian piazzas. Designed with Arcturis | square feet studio, HAND, and Grassfed Culture Hospitality, the interior features zones like a pasta-making room and cocktail bar. Curved architectural elements by Grant Blakeslee enhance intimacy. A palette of paprika red and pistachio green emphasizes culinary themes, while local artistry and craftsmanship underline a dedication to craft and sensory experience.

🍓 From ages 14 to 18, the author participated in farmers' markets in Moscow, Idaho, held weekly from May through October. They sold brie, camembert, and yogurt from their first Jersey cow, Bluebell, and later expanded to Gruyère and Orchard Blue cheese. The author also started ventures with popsicles and homemade sodas. Despite moving to Waco, Texas, 7 years ago, the author fondly remembers these market days, which provided an education in entrepreneurship.