Miscellaneous

📩 PKFARE partners with Argentina's Flybondi, a leading low-cost carrier, to offer exclusive rates via its API to over 2,000 distribution partners. Flybondi can now extend its reach to key markets in LATAM, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Intra-regional travel in 2025 has increased by 10.2%, with Flybondi's routes covering Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. PKFARE has direct connections with over 40 airlines, enhancing competitive fares and broadening travel options globally.

🍴 Arthur's Market opens this autumn on King’s Road with unique offerings. It features premium groceries, an exclusive fish counter, and a butcher. ASA Izakaya, a 12-seat sushi bar, extends to a 30-seat dining space by night, with dishes like Squid Kasudzuke Nigiri. Salvador offers 25 counter seats and European small plates. Chef Shaulan Steenson leads ASA, focusing on fresh Japanese cuisine. Arthur's Market collaborates with Prince Arthur for unique wine and supplies premium local and imported produce.

🎁 Yorkshire-based Peach Hampers launches its 2025 Christmas range, collaborating with brands like Jaguar, EE, and the BBC. Hampers, starting at £29.99, feature gourmet goods from Cartwright & Butler and more, emphasizing luxury and personal touch. Tailored with free branding, they use recyclable materials and plant a tree per order. Options include vegan and gluten-free items. Brendan Pallant, Managing Director, aims for thoughtful gifting that feels personal.

🎄 Yorkshire-based Peach Hampers offers a 2025 Christmas range, collaborating with brands like Jaguar and BBC to deliver luxury hampers. Starting at £29.99, hampers feature gourmet items from Cartwright & Butler, and are customizable with free branding. Eco-friendly, each order plants a tree and uses recyclable materials. Options include vegan and gluten-free. Inspired by the owners’ daughter, Tilly’s Christmas Tree Hamper is a standout design. Managing Director Brendan Pallant emphasizes personalized, thoughtful gifting.

🍴 Jason Atherton's ROW on 5, opened in November 2024 in London's Saville Row, topped Harden's London Restaurants Guide 2026. The restaurant, acclaimed for its food and ambience in the £130+ category, earned a Michelin Star in its first three months. Featuring a 15-course tasting menu, it serves 28 guests with a team of 22 staff. Executive Chef Spencer Metzger and Executive Sommelier Roxane Dupuy lead the culinary experience. Atherton expressed gratitude for the recognition.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, has been with NRN since 1999. He served as president of IFEC in 2005 and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Thorn, a Tufts University graduate, studied at Le Cordon Bleu. He worked for ABC News during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Thorn wrote for New York Sun (2005-2008) and contributed to Oxford's food encyclopedias in 2012 and 2015.

🎤 On Wednesday, The Music Center in Los Angeles announced a new multi-year partnership with Sodexo Live! for handling food and beverage services at venues like Walt Disney Concert Hall and more. Chef Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne will lead catering as Hope & Grand Events by Lucques. The center features restaurants like Kendall’s Brasserie, with a new eatery opening next year. Sodexo Live! serves other notable venues like the Eiffel Tower and Hollywood Bowl.

🚄 Toronto to Vancouver on VIA Rail's The Canadian spans four days. Essential packing includes a carry-on with necessities, as checked luggage is inaccessible during the trip. Sleeper Plus Class costs $1,500-$4,000 CAD, offering a cabin, meals, and dome car access. Arrive in Toronto a day early to explore, then unwind in Vancouver with a walk or dinner post-arrival. The journey emphasizes scenery, connections, and adapting to 'train time' over speed.

🛩 SmartLynx Australia, formerly Skytrans, is an Australian airline rebranded by Avia Solutions Group in 2024. The airline expanded its fleet with Dash 8-200 and Airbus A319, totaling 13 aircraft. The rebranding aligns with Avia's growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. SmartLynx Australia focuses on ACMI services, aiming to lead this market by the end of 2025. Avia acquired the company in March 2024, enhancing its global expansion and mitigating seasonal demand fluctuations.

🥚 Marco Pierre White, renowned chef, introduces savory cocktails featuring seasonal ingredients, including heirloom tomatoes, using Mr. White’s Gin. In September, try "Mr. White’s Garden" with 50ml of gin, 25ml homemade tomato shrub, 10ml dry vermouth, and optional 5ml sugar syrup. Tomato shrub ingredients: 360g ripe tomato, 235ml vinegar, 200g sugar, basil, and peppercorns. Mr. White’s Gin, priced at £32.99 for 70cl, is available at Sainsbury’s, Thresher’s, and other retailers.