Miscellaneous

🍴 Maydan Market, by Rose Previte, opened on October 1 in a 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Los Angeles' West Adams. It features a mix of restaurants, vendors, and a bazaar. Inspired by global markets, it includes a communal hearth and diverse culinary concepts like Maléna and Yhing Yhang. Compass Rose, originally opened in D.C. in 2014, joins Maydan Market. Club 104 offers rotating chef residencies, while Sook provides Middle Eastern pantry staples and grab-and-go foods.

📖 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, excels in spotting food trends. With a BA in history from Tufts University and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu, Thorn covers food trends across the U.S. He was a columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. He resides in Brooklyn, NY. Thorn's career began in Thailand, writing about business and food.

📲 Who? Brands and influencers engage in social commerce. When? Published on August 8, 2021. Where? Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, eBay, Depop. What? A study on social commerce's integration of culture, community, and shopping. How? By blending sellers, buyers, and influencers into dynamic ecosystems, creating cultural currency. Why? To enhance product identity, social standing, and trend amplification. Examples: Sephora, Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Crocs emphasize community and cultural relevance in retail strategies.

🎿 The Luxury Chalet Company specializes in bespoke ski holidays, focusing on seamless service from initial contact. Each holiday is tailored, with curated extras like ski instructors and private chefs. Luxury is defined by effortless arrangements, from transfers to dining. The company is devoted exclusively to ski experiences, with chalets in Europe’s top resorts. Founded by Cameron Temple, it emphasizes anticipation and precision, ensuring a five-star alpine experience for every guest.

✈️ Online banking app Revolut has partnered with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), allowing users to convert RevPoints into SAS EuroBonus points at a 1:1 ratio, without a minimum transfer. Since RevPoints launched in 2024, 17 billion points have been redeemed. Revolut serves 65 million customers worldwide and now offers loyalty redemption across 14 programmes and 45 airlines. Customers can earn up to one point per pound/euro spent on purchases.

🏛 Westminster Abbey launches its first group booking portal for travel operators and Blue Badge Tourist Guides, allowing easier pre-booking of discounted tickets with guaranteed timed entry. This change prepares for the upcoming King Charles III Sacristy. Group tickets cost £29 for adults, £25 for seniors/students, and £12 for children (6-17 years). The Abbey, hosting over a million visitors annually, has been a key historical site since 1066, housing tombs of figures like Charles Dickens and Isaac Newton.

🍳 Casa Brasa opened on October 27 in Dallas, marking Big Dill Hospitality’s fourth concept. Chef Omar Flores and the Marshi family researched grills and sushi across Latin America, Dubai, Europe, Miami, and NYC. The 10,000 sq. ft. space features an open-fire grill, raw bar, and sushi counter. Menu highlights include Hokkaido scallop aguachile, the signature Casa Brasa Roll, and a 40-ounce tomahawk rib eye. The Kamilla bar offers creative cocktails and hosts DJs. Maroma, a coastal Mexican concept, opens in December.

🌀 On 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, killing over 70 people and causing US $7 billion in damages, nearly 30% of Jamaica’s GDP. It was the strongest hurricane in Jamaica’s history. Despite this, Hurricane Melissa received fewer than 1,500 global mentions, overshadowed by pop culture and tech news. UNICEF reported that 70% of young Caribbean respondents fear migration due to climate disasters, yet the region contributes less than 1% of global emissions.