Miscellaneous

📖 Modern brands stand out through consistency, storytelling, thoughtful design, and simplicity. Key elements include being consistent rather than chaotic, telling authentic stories, maintaining a human digital presence, and keeping things simple to cut through the noise. Brands that resonate focus on clarity over originality. In an oversaturated market, clarity triumphs over volume. #BrandClarity #DesignThinking

✈️ Qatar Airways deployed SITA's SD-WAN technology across 350+ international sites and data centers, enhancing network efficiency, speed, and security. The project addresses latency and bandwidth issues, ensuring critical systems function seamlessly. The upgrade supports over 172 destinations and 250 aircraft, improving passenger experiences with faster digital access and reduced wait times. Enhanced cybersecurity features include secure channels and a "zero-trust" policy. This initiative future-proofs operations and sets a new industry standard.

✈ Airfare prices are projected to stay stable through 2026, according to the Air Monitor 2026 by Amex GBT. Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, demand for business travel remains strong, stabilizing fares in the high-cost environment. Airlines are focusing on premium offerings and sophisticated revenue management strategies like continuous pricing. These actions maintain base fares while diversifying service options. Businesses must adapt to these changes to unlock value.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, resides in Brooklyn. His expertise spans food trends, French and Asian cuisine, and restaurant operations. Thorn studied at Tufts University, Le Cordon Bleu, and Peking University. In 2006, he won the Jesse H. Neal Award. His work includes writing for New York Sun and Asia Times, and contributions to the Oxford Encyclopedia. Thorn was IFEC president in 2005 and a Disciples d'Escoffier inductee in 2014.

🍝 In autumn, at Noci in Islington, the experience includes complimentary focaccia, delicate Burrata, and Beef Carpaccio starters. Signature Strozzapreti and Chianti beef pappardelle demonstrate technical skill. Desserts like dark chocolate mousse and the inventive Tirami-chou showcase creativity. Drinks, such as peach and elderflower gin fizz and spicy mango margarita, add nuanced complementarity. Noci balances technique, creativity, and atmosphere, offering a relaxed yet refined Italian dining experience that is simultaneously familiar and inventive.

🍷 Giorgia Fornaciari won the Altamura Distilleries Italia Cocktail Competition on November 2025 at Locale Firenze, Rome. Her cocktail, Anima Bruciata, reimagines the classic Clover Club using Altamura Distilleries Vodka, raspberry cordial, and charred pineapple soda. Giorgia will represent Altamura Distilleries in four major international events in 2026. Judges included Salvatore Calabrese and Federico Pavan. Altamura Distilleries Vodka, rooted in Puglia's tradition, is rapidly growing globally, emphasizing authenticity and Italian craftsmanship.

🍳 Natasha Bull, 20, from Derbyshire, and Alice Metcalfe, 17, from Kendal, joined the English Lakes Hotels Culinary Academy, partnering with Kendal College. They began Level 2 and 3 chef training at Wild Boar Estate, near Windermere, under Master Chef Daniel Winstanley. Operating since 2017, the academy provides practical skills and qualifications. The trainees will participate in Lancaster University's Christmas markets, showcasing diverse food cultures. The academy is part of a family-run group managing three hotels.

📦 The Peninsula launched CURATED COLLECTION BY PENINSULA, expanding into luxury lifestyle goods. Since 1928, The Peninsula has been renowned for excellence and now features a collection with items like bed linens, cashmere, and leather goods. The collection includes a golden braid design inspired by Peninsula Pages' pillbox caps. Initially available at The Peninsula Boutique in Hong Kong, the collection will expand internationally. Explore more online via the provided link. #ThePeninsulaBoutique #CuratedCollectionByPeninsula

🛌 More than 53% of U.S. holiday travelers shorten family stays, as per Hilton's survey of November 4–5, 2025, with 2,200 adults. 63% of hosts report exhaustion, and 46% prefer guests to stay elsewhere. 15% plan to stay with family, but 36% sleep in non-bed spaces, while 32% sleep poorly. 38% need alone time within 24 hours, and 25% dislike the breakfast served. Survey's margin of error is +/- 2% with data weighted for demographics.