Miscellaneous

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016, oversees food trends in the U.S. He wrote for the New York Sun (2005-2008) and lived in Thailand for five years. A Tufts University graduate and Le Cordon Bleu alumnus, Thorn has authored entries in Oxford encyclopedias and won a Jesse H. Neal Award in 2006. He resides in Brooklyn, NY, and was inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014.

🏨 The HON team provides weekly expert insights into the hospitality industry. By joining as a member, you'll gain access to exclusive content and job opportunities in this ecosystem.

🍷 Hattingley Valley and Blacklane have launched a partnership during English Wine Week this June, offering wine enthusiasts a bespoke tour and tasting experience in Hampshire, two hours from London. This includes a return journey via Blacklane's chauffeur service. Tours, featuring wines like Blanc de Blancs and Kings Cuvée, start at £630 for two people. The collaboration aims to bring a seamless, luxury experience, highlighting England's vibrant wine scene.

💻 2025, watch as Jeremy Julian from Custom Business Solutions shares tips for restaurants choosing tech partners. Learn about evaluating POS systems and tech infrastructure effectively. Episode 2 of HT’s interview series highlights the importance of trust and support from tech partners during negotiations and implementation. Discover the value of hands-on assistance. Don't miss this insider insight—click "Watch the video" to see the conversation!

🎤 Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter Tour" hit Paris and London in February. Paris saw ticket sales skyrocket, with a third date added due to overwhelming demand. American tourists, who made up 20% of ticket buyers, boosted searches for flights to Paris by 51%. Ticket prices in Paris ranged from €88 to €280, significantly less than $3,000 in the U.S. Airbnb searches surged by 75%, with Americans, Germans, English, and Australians leading bookings.

🏫 CIDH and Les Roches partner to offer members preferred conditions and partial scholarships for Executive Master’s programs in Switzerland, Spain, and the UK. The partnership, over a decade strong, includes up to three additional scholarships per program for CIDH candidates and collaboration on annual awards. Online courses through Les Roches eAcademy will support emerging talent. CIDH and Les Roches aim to foster leadership and adaptability in the hospitality industry.

🥘 Paule Béké, a Franco-Ivorian chef and founder of Douceurs d’Ivoire, blends Côte d’Ivoire's ancestral techniques with French refinement in London. She transitioned from corporate life to culinary arts after realizing the lack of recognition in her corporate job. Paule appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals and emphasizes sustainability and the preservation of Ivorian cuisine. As head chef at KATO and Kassava, she blends global culinary traditions, aiming to popularize Ivorian cuisine in the UK.

✈ KlasJet, a premium private jet charter company, part of Avia Solutions Group, joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2025. After passing the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), KlasJet demonstrated compliance with global aviation safety standards. Compliance Manager Indre Liveikyte highlighted this as a major milestone. The company employs a structured management system with regular audits and training. IATA membership enhances its global reputation, allowing access to IATA resources for continuous improvement.

🚌 Transfeero is expanding to Tenerife South, Girona, Paros, and Perugia, enhancing its presence in high-tourism areas in Spain, Greece, and Italy. Over five years, the company has quickly adapted to diverse mobility needs in urban, island, and regional areas. These destinations were selected for their strategic value and growth potential. Marzia Bernardini, Head of Customer Service, emphasizes the importance of constant customer support. Transfeero aims for sustainable network expansion, balancing efficiency and customer relationships.

📖 Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry for over seven years. She has degrees from The College of New Jersey and CUNY. Her career includes roles at Insider and The Daily Meal, with contributions to The New York Times and Forbes. Since 2018, she's been with Informa, progressing from Assistant Editor to Senior Editor, and moderating industry events like MUFSO and Restaurants Rise.