Miscellaneous

🛳 Designed by Maxime d’Angeac, the Orient Express Corinthian project incorporates Martínez Otero’s expertise, with over 80 years in high-end joinery, into contemporary luxury maritime travel. Martínez Otero's work, involving 16 Mirror Suites, was completed in 43 months, in collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Their precision involved 40 specialists and five facilities, notably tackling veneer matching in machiche wood. The yacht launched in May 2023, first appearing at the Cannes Film Festival, currently navigating the Mediterranean.

🖼 Vueling, part of the IAG group, partners with Gemini, Google's AI model, in a summer 2026 campaign: "Are you a team beach or team city?" A virtual assistant transforms favorite holiday moments into personalized digital magnets. Passengers on 20 WiFi-equipped aircraft can create magnets mid-flight using a QR code found on the seatbacks. The initiative aims to enhance travel experiences and showcase Vueling's digital forwardness.

🛠 Working on a new cabin project, utilizing Floorplanner for design over the last several months. The cabin will be a single-story, with considerations for a one-bedroom or studio layout, ranging between 200 to 450 sq ft. Key decisions include whether to use a trailer (max width of 2.59 m for RV compatibility) or steel skids for more space. Focusing on balancing function, beauty, and symmetry in design while collaborating with family for layout choices.

🏠 Driftwood Capital, a real estate firm, funded the refinancing of Raffles Boston Hotel & Residences, the only Raffles hotel in North America, opened in September 2023. Located at 40 Trinity Place, Boston, it features 147 guestrooms and branded residences. Since August 2020, Driftwood's credit platform has facilitated $2.4 billion in hotel financings. Collaborating with Madison Realty Capital, Driftwood supports this luxury asset's operations in the United States.

🍫 Chef David Toutain, a two Michelin Star and Green Star holder, collaborates with Fouache at Duet, a French-inspired restaurant with a plant-focused twist. They import premium proteins from France while sourcing local Thai ingredients like kaffir lime for added depth. Their signature chocolate dessert uses Chiang Mai's Kad Kokoa single-origin chocolate, celebrated for its rich flavors. This approach highlights Thailand's terroir and enhances the fusion of French and local culinary techniques.

🍷 Founded by Swiss anthropologist Markus Madeja, Sơn Tinh was inspired by traditional Vietnamese rượu and Phú Lộc’s sticky-rice liquor. In 1999, the first Sơn Tinh bottles were tested at Hanoi's Highway4 bar, marking Vietnam’s inaugural craft distillery. Madeja, who never aimed to create a brand, developed herbal blends using local ingredients. He used modern distillation techniques to meet international quality standards, while preserving the spirit's cultural essence.

😋 Konjac, a staple in Asian diets, is booming in the wellness retail industry due to its low-carb, low-glycemic, and "zero calorie" benefits. This versatile ingredient's popularity is rising in both retail and foodservice sectors, aligning with health trends.

🍳 In 2005, Sam Barak transformed his garage into a food production space in Melbourne, Australia, to create gluten-free foods. Now, Well & Good, his family business, offers products certified by Coeliac Australia, Vegan Australia, and more, meeting HACCP and SQF safety standards. Known for exceptional taste and texture, their products are widely used by foodservice operators across Australia. Well & Good caters to dietary needs, offering mixes free from dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts, suitable for plant-based diets.

🍳 In Tokyo's Nagatacho district, KIGI restaurant, partnered with SRA-Japan since 2020, boasts three stars in the Food Made Good standard. Community engagement is key, as CEA Hideaki Omote emphasizes.