Latest news with #culinaryexperiences
Daily Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
How to avoid the $138m mistake Aussie travellers keep making
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News. Aussie travellers have forked out $138 million in avoidable international transaction fees over the last year, new research has revealed. A report by ING found holiday-makers dedicated a hefty 20 per cent of their travel budgets to food and dining purchases – an average of $1,477 per traveller. Of that, $82.28 in transaction could have been saved. 'Our new research shows Aussies are increasingly prioritising food and dining experiences when they travel,' ING's head of daily banking Dina Kotsopoulos said. A collective $12bn has been spent by Aussies on overseas dining. Picture: iStock 'We encourage Aussies to confirm with their banks what fees they might be subject to while on holiday, ahead of time, so they can fully enjoy their global foodadventures without unexpected costs.' Ms Kotsopoulos encouraged those looking to travel internationally to plan ahead, check their bank's fees on overseas purchasing and consider their options to avoid incurring avoidable charges before they leave. THE TOP FIVE CUISINES AUSSIES WANT TO MASTER AT HOME The research also found that more travellers are prioritising memorable culinary experiences when holidaying, with 88 per cent of respondents willing to cut back on other aspects of travel, such as shopping and activities, to make room for a good meal. Dina Kotsopoulos, Head of Daily Banking at ING, encouraged Aussies to check with their banks what fees they might be subject to when travelling. Picture: Supplied In March this year, Australia's number one cooking resource surveyed more than 2350 Australians from all cultural backgrounds on their food habits for their Taste the World report. It found Millennials were the most domestically adventurous demographic, with 13 per cent of those aged between 29 and 44 expressing a willingness to travel to a different state or region within Australia to try a particular cuisine. In the last year, a collective $12bn has been spent on overseas culinary experiences alone. Japan remains the biggest hotspot for Aussie travellers, with a 60 per cent uptick in visitors compared to pre-Covid levels. The Asian destination is closely followed by New Zealand, with Queenstown seeing a 14 per cent increase, and Bali with a 27 per cent hike since 2019. India, China and South Korea are also rising in popularity, according to MasterCard's 2025 Travel Trends Report. Consumers are increasingly investing more in experiences, naming travel and tourism, outdoor activities and dining as their top three priorities this year. The top foodie destination was Turkey, with its median restaurant in Istanbul hosting tourists from 67 different countries. This was closely followed by France and Switzerland, each hosting a median of 64 tourist countries each. Originally published as How to avoid the $138m mistake Aussie travellers keep making
Forbes
06-06-2025
- Forbes
Next-Level Room Service: 7 Hotels With Extraordinary In-Room Dining
Room service has long been a hallmark of hotel luxury, but in today's ultra-competitive hospitality landscape, some hotels are going off-menu and thinking outside the box. Room service isn't what it used to be getty Perched high above Central Park South, Preferred Hotels & Resorts' member Park Lane New York is a reimagined icon in the heart of Manhattan, offering cinematic views of the skyline and a bold new take on modern luxury. It's also home to one of the city's most extravagant in-room experiences: the Caviar Hotline. Guests simply dial '5' from their room phone, and a decadent spread of Bemka Royal Ossetra Caviar arrives at their door, alongside all the traditional trimmings like crème fraîche, blinis, and even chicken nuggets. Set in a grand townhouse near the Spanish Steps, Portrait Roma is a quietly opulent boutique hotel known for impeccable service and postcard-worthy views of the Trinità dei Monti. It also has a genius take on in-room dining: instead of one hotel restaurant, guests can sample dishes from over 15 of Rome's best eateries (including Michelin-starred Il Pagliaccio; Enoteca La Torre Aroma; and Zia) all without leaving their suite. Nobu Hotels have always blurred the line between luxury lifestyle and culinary prestige, thanks to their legendary founder chef Nobu Matsuhisa. At every Nobu Hotel worldwide, guests can enjoy the restaurant's most iconic dishes—miso black cod, rock shrimp tempura, and yellowtail sashimi—all served right in their room. At Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, things go even further with the 'Nobu All Night' menu, available from 10:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Tucked away on Phuket's lush northwestern coast, Trisara is known for its privacy, palm-fringed villas and serene sea views, but it's also quietly revolutionizing the idea of in-villa dining. Their newest concept is a bespoke Cultural Street Market brought directly to you. Guests are treated to live food stations replicating the sights, sounds, and scents of a traditional Thai street market with stalls dishing out made-to-order Phad Thai, green papaya salad, satay skewers, tropical fruit platters, and coconut ice cream. With its hilltop setting, lush gardens and rare art collection, Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, feels every bit the Roman emperor's playground, and for those who want to feast like Caligula, the hotel offers an in-room Imperial Breakfast that's more like a tasting menu than a morning meal. This lavish 15-course spread includes Sicilian citrus lobster, black truffle scrambled eggs, tuna tartare on pineapple carpaccio, and canapés with everything from fried yolks to bottarga. Whether enjoyed in bed or on a private balcony, it's the ultimate way to start your day in the Eternal City. Located along Vietnam's Cam Ranh coast, Alma Resort is rethinking guests' morning coffee order with its immersive in-room Vietnamese coffee service. Here, a barista pedals up to your pavilion by bicycle, ready to handcraft your perfect brew in front of you. Choose from iced black or white coffee; bạc xỉu (Vietnamese style coffee, with more milk than coffee); or savory-sweet salted coffee. The experience is a nod to Vietnam's rich coffee heritage, as the country is the world's second-largest coffee exporter after Brazil. Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, The Brecon is a new chalet-style retreat known for its Wes Anderson design and all-inclusive service (a rarity in the Swiss Alps). Each night, post-ski and pre-dinner, the hotel's bartender makes the rounds with an old-fashioned bar cart, knocking on guests' doors to offer freshly made cocktails or a coupe of champagne. Both unexpected and endearing, this après room service trolley tradition has become so beloved that many guests make a point to be in their rooms at cocktail hour just to catch the moment.
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
White Clover Catering Launches High-End Corporate Catering Services
05/30/2025, Durham, North Carolina // PRODIGY: Feature Story // White Clover Catering has launched a new corporate catering program. Designed to bring the company's signature quality and creativity into everyday professional settings, the new service offers curated boxed lunches and elegant buffet-style spreads. This offering, boasting fresh, locally sourced ingredients and attention to presentation, is tailored to meet the needs of those seeking elevated dining experiences without compromising practicality. White Clover Catering 'We've always been committed to providing food that feels personal, inspired, and memorable,' says White Clover Catering Executive Chef and Owner Katie Featherstone. 'Corporate catering allows us to extend that philosophy into the workplace.' With Featherstone's extensive fine dining background, White Clover Catering has earned a reputation across North Carolina for its bespoke culinary experiences. Specializing in small, high-end private events, the company is known for its immersive and highly customized menus that reflect personal stories, special memories, and seasonal ingredients. The decision to launch a corporate catering line came from listening to clients. Many of White Clover Catering's event customers are corporate teams who had previously booked the company for holiday dinners, executive retreats, or leadership luncheons. They began asking for similar meals in more routine settings. Responding to this demand, White Clover's corporate catering was established. The new offering is structured into two formats: an individual option featuring curated lunch boxes ideal for solo dining or remote work lunches and a group option, which includes buffet-style platters well-suited for board meetings, internal team celebrations, or all-hands events. Each item is carefully crafted, avoiding the bulk-prep approach typical of large-scale caterers. Meals are made by a team of seasoned culinary professionals, ensuring a consistently high standard of flavor and presentation. White Clover Catering Staying true to White Clover's core culinary philosophy, the menu emphasizes seasonal produce, foraged ingredients, and locally sourced products whenever possible. Pricing remains accessible despite the elevated nature of the food, thanks in part to Featherstone's expertise in crafting high-end meals within efficient production models. Packaging is also a key focus, contributing to the overall experience with details that mirror the brand's refined aesthetic. Orders can be placed with a convenient three-day lead time through the company's website. White Clover's strategic location near Research Triangle Park, where the tech and business scene is growing, serves as an important consideration in the program's design. With high-performing teams and rising demand for quality experiences in the workplace, White Clover's new service is poised to cater to local companies seeking to offer more than just a standard catered lunch. The goal, as always, is to surprise and delight: 'We want people to take a bite and say, 'Oh, that's good,' and then ask, 'Wait, what is that?'' says Featherstone. Katie Featherstone Featherstone is redefining what everyday corporate catering can look like by bringing her background in fine dining and personalized event execution to a more accessible setting. She and her team offer businesses a rare combination: high-end restaurant-level food tailored to workplace dynamics. Ultimately, White Clover Catering's corporate line fills a growing need in the professional world for food that reflects care, thoughtfulness, and elevated standards. It offers an alternative to the impersonal nature of office catering by combining practical delivery and culinary artistry. Media Contact Name: Katie Featherstone Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> White Clover Catering Launches High-End Corporate Catering Services
Travel Daily News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Radisson Hotels launches direct restaurant booking on its website
Radisson Hotel Group launches a global restaurant booking platform, enhancing guest experiences with local and international culinary storytelling and innovation. Exploring exceptional gastronomy, locally and globally, is now just a click away. Radisson Hotel Group launches a digital innovation that celebrates its culinary excellence: guests and local visitors can now search and book restaurants directly on With over 1,900 restaurants worldwide, from elegant rooftops to relaxed urban dining spots, this new functionality lets food lovers explore, reserve and enjoy in just a few clicks. This milestone is a key component of Radisson Hotel Groups' growing focus on culinary storytelling and local cultural experiences. Whether planning a holiday or simply looking for a great place to eat nearby, the new functionality allows guests and locals to search restaurants by city, cuisine, or concept, browse menus and photos, and book directly – all in one seamless digital journey. Radisson Hotels features a diverse portfolio of restaurants worldwide, offering a wide variety of cuisines and dining experiences. With the launch of this new tool, hotel guests and local explorers can easily plan their next meal using Radisson Hotels' geolocated restaurant search tool, allowing them to find dining options in the city or destination of their choice – enriching their overall experience, whether staying at one of Radisson Hotels' properties or simply exploring the local culinary scene. At Radisson Hotels, the guest experience goes far beyond accommodation – it's about creating memorable moments that resonate long after the stay, with gastronomy at heart. This dedication to culinary excellence is embodied by 'Taste of Heritage', a signature series launched in June 2024 under the Radisson Collection brand. By blending storytelling with authentic local flavors, the initiative invites guests to discover the soul of each destination through its cuisine – curated by acclaimed chefs, brought to life by local creators, and served in some of the world's most exceptional settings. The 'Taste of Heritage' series offers a collection of immersive gastronomic travel experiences for food and travel connoisseurs across Radisson Collection's exceptional destinations worldwide. By celebrating local cuisine as a window into cultural heritage, Radisson Collection hotels become true culinary landmarks in cities including Milan, Rome, Bilbao, Warsaw, and beyond: In Milan, local content creator Marko Morciano joins Chef Luca Franz at Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Touring Club Milan to celebrate the simplicity of a classic heritage pasta dish: tagliatelle with white ragù,, bringing Marko right back to his childhood. to celebrate the simplicity of a classic heritage pasta dish: tagliatelle with white ragù,, bringing Marko right back to his childhood. In Bilbao, Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Vía Bilbao collaborates with foodie influencer Alejandro Biel and Executive Chef Iker Barrenetxea to explore the making of a modern Royal Oxtail. A print guide, 'A Spanish Guide for Foodies,' curated by Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa, is offered to all hotel guests. The hotel also collaborated exclusively with the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, transforming its lobby into a living exhibition and offering a special menu and cocktails inspired by Balenciaga's visionary designs, blending haute couture with haute cuisine for a truly unique experience. collaborates with foodie influencer Alejandro Biel and Executive Chef Iker Barrenetxea to explore the making of a modern Royal Oxtail. A print guide, 'A Spanish Guide for Foodies,' curated by Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa, is offered to all hotel guests. The hotel also collaborated exclusively with the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, transforming its lobby into a living exhibition and offering a special menu and cocktails inspired by Balenciaga's visionary designs, blending haute couture with haute cuisine for a truly unique experience. In Rome, in partnership with Italy's legendary gastronomic authority Gambero Rosso, Radisson Collection Hotel, Roma Antica celebrates the authentic Roman cuisine. celebrates the authentic Roman cuisine. In Tsinandali, guests can explore Georgia's cradle of winemaking with chef Irakli Asatiani at Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel, savoring authentic dishes like khachapuri and khinkali amid historic vineyards. Each edition of the series also features an inspiring video story that bring the flavors and people of the region to life, a downloadable city food guide and special edition dishes served for a limited time. Seamless booking for memorable moments The new Restaurants page enables real-time reservations and personalized recommendations based on location or upcoming hotel stay. It's another key milestone in Radisson Hotel's digital transformation journey, combining design, functionality and hospitality excellence. 'This launch marks an important step in our ongoing digital transformation and reinforces our commitment to elevate every aspect of the guest journey,' said Raul Alvarez Barrera, Global Vice President Digital, Head of Digital Experience Centre of Excellence at Radisson Hotel Group. 'Our goal is to make discovering and booking our restaurants as intuitive and inspiring as booking a hotel stay. Whether for a special occasion, a business lunch, or a local discovery, is now the go-to destination for exceptional culinary experiences across our global portfolio.'
Times of Oman
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Shangri-La Muscat unveils ‘Eat Play Love' a Summer of Indulgence, Adventure and Connection
Muscat: This summer, Shangri-La Al Husn and Shangri-La Al Jissah invites guests to embark on a transformative journey where indulgence meets discovery. The 'Eat Play Love' campaign reimagines travel as a tapestry of sensory experiences, blending culinary delights, playful adventures, and heartfelt connections. Inspired by the beloved book written by Elizabeth Gilbert and blockbuster film Eat Pray Love, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, guests are welcomed to discover a series of curated experiences designed to awaken the senses, nourish the soul, and create unforgettable memories. Echoing the journey of the film's heroine, the campaign brings together the pleasures of Eat, the adventure of Play, and the warmth of Love – offering a modern, meaningful escape in one of Oman's most iconic destinations. At Shangri-La Muscat in Oman, the series of exciting summer experiences are designed to inspire solo, couple and family travellers to celebrate cuisine, adventure, and wellbeing. Set against the dramatic coastline of Oman, the twin resorts of Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah and its adults-only, Shangri-La Al Husn, each offer their own curated experiences, inviting guests to reconnect with joy through locally inspired moments. At Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, the whole family can get involved in an interactive Italian cooking class led by the resort's chefs, followed by a shared dining experience that turns food into lasting memories in their EAT experience. For exciting PLAY moments, guests can embark on a full day of coastal adventure, beginning with a guided snorkeling and paddleboarding session in the bay, and ending with a tranquil sunset camel ride along the beach. Meanwhile the LOVE experience enables families to capture a one-hour Polaroid photo session with printed keepsakes, along with a delightful in-room surprise for children—featuring a storybook and plush turtle gift inspired by the endangered turtles nesting on the resort's beaches. Along the coastline, the exclusive 16 years above luxury retreat Shangri-La Al Husn has introduced three unique experiences. Guests can journey through the traditions of Frankincense with Khalid Al Amri, the world's first Frankincense Sommelier, followed by a cooking class and a lunch overlooking the sea at Bait Al Bahr Restaurant as part of the EAT experience. For PLAYFUL moments, those drawn to the ocean can enjoy a cruise in search of dolphins, and snorkel among vibrant reefs and sea turtles. For the ultimate self -LOVE treat, the resort's Luban Spa offers a serene 30-minute frankincense-infused back and shoulder massage, providing a restorative escape in a tranquil clifftop setting. The 'Eat Play Love' experiences are available for stays until 31st of December 2025. Guests may select one tailored experience per night booked as part of the package, in addition to exclusive resort benefits including daily breakfast, beach and pool access, and thoughtful in-room amenities. This initiative is a testament to Shangri-La's commitment to create meaningful, destination-rich experiences that elevate every stay across its hotels and resorts. For further details and bookings on the 'Eat, Play Love' Experiences:
