Miscellaneous

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, covers food and beverage trends and oversees F&B coverage. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. Wrote "Kitchen Dish" column for The New York Sun (2005-2008). Worked in Thailand writing on business and food for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1992-1997). Tufts University alum, Phi Beta Kappa member, studied at Le Cordon Bleu. Authored works for the Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America (2012) and the Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets (2015). Inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier (2014). Based in Brooklyn, New York, he can be contacted at [email protected]

📊 Inflation in the eurozone hit a new record of 5.1% in January, surpassing economists' predictions of 4.4%. Energy prices, which soared by 28.8% were largely responsible for the spike. Core inflation, excluding volatile food and energy prices, rose to 2.3%. The European Central Bank faces pressure to tighten monetary policy, even as it prioritizes supporting the economy amid Omicron variant concerns. The ECB is set to meet on February 3 to discuss their approach.

🍴 Bret Thorn is a Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, part of Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group. He hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast, wrote "Kitchen Dish” for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008, and reported from Thailand for Manager magazine and Asia Times newspaper. A graduate of Tufts University, he studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu. Thorn won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was president of IFEC in 2005. He authored entries for the Oxford Encyclopedia (2012) and the Oxford Companion (2015). Inducted into Disciples d'Escoffier (2014). Contact: [email protected], LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

🍇 Native Grill & Wings recently added a Spicy Guava Rita, priced at about $12, featuring Espolòn Blanco tequila, guava, jalapeño, and a Tajín rim. KFC's new Saucy concept includes a Passionfruit + Orange + Guava Refresher. Guava's popularity coincides with an increased interest in Latin American and Southeast Asian cuisines. Datassential reports 76% of the U.S. population recognizes guava, and 48% have tasted it. A Miami restaurant is creatively pairing guava with chicken.

🍳 Shine TV is calling UK chefs for the 18th series of "MasterChef: The Professionals" on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, hosted in Digbeth, Birmingham. Dan Merriman won the 2024 series. Applications for the 2025 series, closing on March 31st, 2025, are open to professionals with diverse culinary skills and backgrounds. Details at www.masterchef.com/professionals.

🎉 From January 29th to February 2nd, Covent Garden brands like AWAY and Charlotte Tilbury offer bespoke red packet gift sets. Din Tai Fung presents a special menu, including "Lion’s Head" Pork Meatball Soup and a 'Golden Twist' cocktail. RedFarm boasts "London's biggest dumplings". 100 lucky diners at Din Tai Fung could win free Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings. Exclusive Lunar New Year products are available from Charlotte Tilbury, Strathberry, and more. Interactive experiences and complimentary services are scheduled between January 25th and February 2nd. The Chinese New Year celebration in Chinatown, London's West End, occurs on February 2nd, featuring a parade and performances.

📌 Spotnana integrates with British Airways for direct access to the airline's content, servicing, and disruption management, enabling seamless cancellation or rebooking with a single click. This partnership allows Spotnana customers and partners to benefit from the best prices, additional price points (APP), more ancillaries, self-service exchanges and cancellations, and no cost recovery surcharges. Spotnana supports BA's NDC-based offers throughout all travel stages.

🍴 Bret Thorn serves as the Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, reporting on food and beverage trends and guiding F&B coverage. He hosted a podcast, wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), and contributed to Manager magazine and Asia Times in Thailand (1992-1997). A magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University, Thorn studied at Le Cordon Bleu and in China. His work earned the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, he joined IFEC as president in 2005, and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.

🏡 Intuitive released a comprehensive buyers’ guide to aid travel companies in selecting new reservation systems. The guide includes a step-by-step process, an RFP template, and advice on aligning technology with long-term goals. It addresses internal alignment, contract negotiation, and what to look for in a provider, such as culture and delivery capabilities. Andy Keeley, commercial director at Intuitive, highlights the guide's role in helping companies make informed decisions every 10-15 years.

💎 On Valentine's Day 2025, AMANO Covent Garden's Penelope’s restaurant offers a special evening with a four-course menu by Executive Head Chef Fez Ozalgan. The set menu, priced at £180 for two, includes Charles Heidsieck Reserve Brut Champagne and an optional drinks pairing for an additional £100 per person. The dining experience is complemented by a DJ, with the menu featuring oysters, tuna pastrami, duck jamon, pistachio lamb cutlets, seared scallops, and a dessert assortment.