Miscellaneous

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since August 2021, previously held roles as Associate Editor (July 2019-August 2021) and Assistant Editor (October 2018-July 2019) for Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group. She freelanced from February to October 2018, reported for Insider between June 2017 and February 2018, and edited for The Daily Meal from January 2014 to June 2017. Fantozzi has a bachelor's in English literature and creative writing and a master's in arts and culture journalism.

👕 After purchasing unwashed denim jeans at imogene + willie, a customer experienced significant shrinkage post-wash, resulting in jeans 2” shorter. The store director, Liz, offered a replacement pair, demonstrating exceptional customer service. The brand emphasizes craftsmanship, core values, passionate staff, and unique physical spaces to communicate values.

🛫 Emplifi research shows 86% of customers abandon loyalty after one or two poor interactions. Digital downtimes in the airline industry must address with clear communication because only 23% of consumers seek help during outages; most turn to competitors or retry later. Customer frustration increases by 2% on the first day of service interruptions and 50% by the second day, with an 18% rise in rage clicks. In 2013, 63% of UK airline digital leaders planned to maintain or reduce customer support spending, but recent trends indicate the need for greater investment. Effective data use and robust infrastructure are key to minimizing customer dissatisfaction and improving satisfaction during unexpected downtimes.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, has been with NRN since 1999 and joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. Previously, he authored the Kitchen Dish column for The New York Sun (2005-2008), and wrote for Manager magazine and Asia Times in Thailand (1992-1997). A magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University and Le Cordon Bleu alumni, Thorn’s column won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and he was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014. He resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.

✈ Travelport, a global GDS and travel technology firm, has renewed its multi-source distribution agreement with Cathay Pacific. The integration of Cathay Pacific’s NDC content into Travelport+ is expected to launch within the coming months. This will allow agents to compare the airline's NDC and non-NDC offers in one view, enhancing the retailing experience in the travel industry. The partnership emphasizes customized product offerings and reliable service delivery.

🎊 Who? Alto, rooftop Italian restaurant in Selfridges, London. What? New Year's Eve celebration with exclusive set menu. When? December 31, 2024. Where? Selfridges, London. How much? £90 per person, includes complimentary glass of Prosecco. Extras? DJs from 8pm, live saxophonist, Italian-inspired dishes. Menu highlights? Tartare di Tonno, Capesante, Filetto di Manzo, Branzino al Sale, Tiramisu, Profiteroles. Booking? Available online.

🏨 Portland's hospitality industry examined: insights from Teddy's career, the city's 5-year evolution, the concept of "public joy", and future potential collaborations with creatives like Mike. Timestamps reveal key discussion segments: Introduction (00:00), career story (03:54), business skills in hospitality (07:50), Portland's changes (10:31), creating joy (17:24), its value (22:01), artist collaboration (29:31), future actions (35:22), and creativity's efficiency (38:34).

🍾 20 Stories, Manchester's skyline restaurant, partners with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne for a limited-edition menu from November to January. Piper-Heidsieck, established in 1777, has been associated with luxury and fame. The exclusive menu includes Piper-Heidsieck's "Cuvée Brut", "Rosé Sauvage", "Essentiel Blanc de Blancs" 2018, "Brut Vintage", and 2013 Rare Champagne, Brut Millésimé. Innovative cocktails feature Piper-Heidsieck as a key ingredient, such as Kir Royale and French 75. 20 Stories is located at No.1 Spinningfields, on the 19th floor, 92 meters high. Executive Head Chef Daniel Scott and team curated the winter menu. Reservations can be made via https://20stories.co.uk/.

💰 Author Debiprasad Sarangi published an article on March 26, 2014, discussing financial discrepancies and the importance of fulfilling promises to prevent individuals from demanding returns on their investments.