Miscellaneous

🍽 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, also joined Restaurant Hospitality's staff in 2016. He hosted the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" and wrote "Kitchen Dish" column for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008. Previously, Thorn reported on business, banking, finance, and food in Thailand for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1992-1997). A magna cum laude graduate from Tufts University, he completed his bachelor's in history, learned traditional French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and studied Chinese language and culture in China in 1988-1989. Thorn was in Beijing during the Tiananmen Square events in 1989, working for ABC News. He won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award for his editorial column and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014. Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY, and specializes in food and beverage trends, French cuisine, Asian cuisine, and restaurant operations.

📚 Thynk introduces 'Thynk University,' an online training platform accessible directly from the Thynk Home Page. Users can enroll in courses relevant to their roles for free, with each course containing chapters, lessons, videos typically 2-4 minutes long, and quizzes to reinforce learning. Quizzes, named ‘Thynk about…’, follow each lesson. Courses feature feedback surveys to help improve the platform. Thynk encourages users to leave positive reviews on Hotel Tech Report.

🍴 The Brasserie at Sopwell House in St Albans reopens after refurbishment with a new menu. Exclusive offer until 2nd May: three courses and a glass of wine for £29. Led by Executive Chef Gopi Chandran and Brasserie Head Chef Marilena Ungureanu, the menu features British classics, 28-day dry aged Hereford prime steaks, and Sunday roasts. Open seven days a week, reservations at www.sopwellhouse.co.uk/dine/the-brasserie/. Address: Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 2HQ.

🎉 Atlantis Dubai offers a variety of Easter activities from April 17-21, 2025. Celebrate with Sunday roasts, brunches, and teas at prices ranging from AED 250 to AED 850 per person. Special events at Atlantis The Royal and Atlantis, The Palm include Michelin-star dining, Greek feasts, and a Wonderland Brunch with live entertainment. Bookings can be made at + 971 4 426 2626 or online.

🍻 BABA on Withers, initially Baba Cool, originated in 2014 in Fort Greene and expanded with a Williamsburg location in 2021, transforming into BABA on Withers in November 2024. Owned by Gabriella Mann, with hospitality and bartending roots, BABA on Withers offers a warm, inviting atmosphere both day and night, complete with a back patio. The bar emphasizes natural wines and inventive cocktails, like the "Low Key Romantic," and serves Marseille-inspired French cuisine, such as Duck Leg Confit. Engaging customer experiences include local DJs on second and fourth Thursdays and BABA Afters on Fridays.

🌞 Polypodium leucotomos, a tropical fern extract, was shown to reduce sunburn episodes and skin redness in a US study. Glutathione, a naturally occurring antioxidant, was found to protect against photodamage according to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. White tomato, rich in carotenoids, is proven to fight UV-related skin issues. These three ingredients enhance oral sunscreen supplements, offering additional protection beyond traditional sunscreen.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, spots and reports on F&B trends. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast, wrote "Kitchen Dish" for The New York Sun (2005-2008), and has contributed to Manager magazine and Asia Times. Graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University, a Phi Beta Kappa member, and studied at Le Cordon Bleu. His column won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, and he’s a Disciples d’Escoffier member since 2014. Based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Thorn has extensive expertise in food trends, Asian cuisines, and restaurant operations.

💖 Chanel's Rouge Coco Playground pops up at Covent Garden from March 21-30, offering personalised beauty consultations. E&e Jewellery curates Mother & Daughter sets, with a Gift Wrapping Service and Letter to Mum Card. Jo Malone London showcases English Pear & Freesia, Sweet Pea sets in cream and yellow boxes. Glossier provides complimentary engraving on March 29 (12-5pm), and Molton Brown offers calligraphy from March 15-23. Experimental Perfume Club hosts a blending session on March 30. Charlotte Tilbury's Mother’s Day promotion runs from March 18-30, offering a free makeup service or scent trio with qualifying purchases. ELEMIS provides a Pro-Collagen Rose Gift with any facial for two until March 20. Fresh offers a complimentary gift and 25% off selected items. Radley London gifts a keyring with £80 spend on March 20-21. Mulberry gifts UK-grown bouquets on March 23, 250 small and 20 large with purchases. The Ivy Market Grill offers a two-course menu with cocktails and tulips from March 28-30. Cinnamon Bazaar serves Afternoon Tea for £27.50. SUSHISAMBA gifts to mums on Mother’s Day with a Bossa Nova band. HENRI features a £30 Roast Duck from March 16.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, covers food and beverage trends. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. New York Sun columnist from 2005 to 2008. In Thailand during 1992-1997, he wrote for Manager magazine and Asia Times. Studied at Tufts University, Le Cordon Bleu, Peking University, and Nanjing University. Winner of the 2006 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award. Inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014. Contact: [email protected] Social: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.