Spanish Food and Wine Connects to the Future with iPavement Tiles

The first decade of a new century is the perfect time to launch change and embrace the future. And no European city has done that better than historic Madrid, Spain’s classic and captivating capital. 

Working with the members’ of ASEPI, which include the best of the best among Spain’s universities, manufacturers, computer experts and skilled installers, the very new iPavement tiles have been laid in Madrid’s main square, la Puerta del Sol.

Each digital tile enables those in the Square to connect with the Internet and receive information about hotels, restaurants and culinary events in Madrid and beyond. Now in place, this new technology has brought this historic Square forward into a future where the cities of tomorrow will become dynamic digital habitats, not merely residential domains.

The ancient Romans who came to Spain in 214BC (and fell in love with the country as so many have) understood that roads were really about commerce.

Without smooth stone roads, Roman wagons full of goods could not move. Trade stopped.

Today the Internet is the new road of commerce. The insightful members of the ASEPI consortium understand that fact and so have laid new stones, using the innovative iPavement, to create a pathway to the future that can, for those with imagination, includes us all.

These amazing ‘stones of the future’ enable hotels and restaurants to move beyond traditional marketing beginning now. Their application points are nearly endless. 

The ancient Romans, who so loved Spain’s wine and cuisine, would have died to have such stones! Aren’t we lucky to be in the 21^st century!  

 (City of Art and Science - Valencia, Spain) 

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

New Titanic Miniseries Can Remind Us Who We Are Today

As the hundredth anniversary of the tragic sinking of the famed ocean liner The Titanic approaches, a fleet of a new TV miniseries will soon seek to find port on television sets around the world.

Leading the way will be a new mega million pound four-part TV series written by Julian Fellowes, co-author of the very popular Downton Abbey PBS/BBC TV miniseries, entitled simply Titanic.

This parallel application of writing talent with the legendary grandeur of Titanic's famed elegance (and sad ending) is almost certain to guarantee the continued popularity of all things Edwardian.

Thankfully the series, which will be released in Canada, the United Kingdom and then the United States, will focus in large part on the passengers and crew as characters before taking the viewers into the sad night of April 15^th.

The delayed tragedy will enable those watching the series to glimpse the grandeur of the ship as well as the hierarchy that ruled society at that time.

It is important to remember that our Industry carries the legacy of that class system and the great estate houses that spawn it. Like the fabled Downton Abbey, we work witihin a daily structure that echoes the labors of Edwardian cooks, footmen and house maids in the modern positions of chefs, bellmen and housekeepers.

Today those positions are better paid professional positions, protected by labor law and owner-worker agreements. Yes, the world has changed a great deal since 1912 – or has it?

Indifference and injust judgment of others still occurs, lurking like an iceberg, offering equal destruction today unless we can see clearer than the Titanic’s esteemed but careless captain that professionalism requires a genuine respect for others, not merely profit by any means available.

Post Note, April 6, 2012: If you have ever try to visualize how something as big as the Titanic could sink (something roughly the size of a major hotel building), the amazing data-visualization company After the Flood has created a videographic for the BBC that explains it all.

Their work is an amazing demonstration of how the new videographic design, using advanced computer technology (and a lot of in-house talent), will change the face of marketing in the hospitality industry. Imagine telling the marketing story of your hotel or restaurant in five brief but unforgettable minutes! 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Thank You Steve Jobs for Sharing the Courage to Create

On October 5^th Steve Jobs died. The innovative CEO founder of Apple Computers (and creator of Pixar Animation Studio) conceived product after product that has touched and benefited our Industry.

What chef, what F&B director, what sommelier has not had their day made easier through the use of a laptop computer, iPhone or iPad? Who has not eased the stress of the day with music thanks to an iPod? Or failed to cheered when our professional values were shared with diners in the amazing film Ratatouille?  

Yet Jobs has left an even greater gift for us all than those wonderful tools listed above.  That gift is a view of what true creativity is about and how we achieve it. Nowhere is that better captured than in his address to the 2005 graduating class of Stanford University near his home in California.

Please take a moment and watch this astounding presentation about courage and creativity. Then, if you find it appropriate, share it with others – thanks in large part to the very technology that Jobs created and shared with all of us.

Thank you Steve Jobs! You made all our 'jobs' a lot easier!

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Patrón Spirits International to Spend $8 Million to Promote Ultimat Vodka

Four years ago Patron Spirits bought Ultimat Vodka.  Initially introduced in 2008 (just before our current economic ups-and-downs) in Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, New Jersey and New York, it is currently available in all 50 U.S. States. Yet last year just 23,000 cases were sold. Ouch!!!

Considering the volume of vodka sold by others (think multi-million cases here), Patrón Spirits has decided to launch a new 8 million dollar marketing campaign for their new vodka, using the tag line “Find Balance, Find Ultimat”.

All the resulting publicity will highlight achieving a needed balance between work and fun.

The “Balance” theme is perfect for Ultimat as it is the only vodka currently crafted that balances a blend of wheat, rye and potato that creates a singularly unique beverage.

Extensions of the theme also include “Live Ultimately” and “Good, Better, Ultimat”.

Even the bottle captures the theme as a small glass bubble is suspended in the base of the bottle like an expectation of the enjoyment to come once open and shared.

Given the marketing success of Patrón Tequila (currently ranked as the number one ultra-premium tequila in the world), Ultimat is sure to soon be, well, an ultimat- ly popular vodka in a world seeking balance (and comfort) in these troubled times.

Post Note - October 4, 2011

While the marketing of Ultimat Vodka is focused on “balance”, Marriott Hotels & Resorts are launching a US $6 million global advertising campaign emphasizing that guests will “Experience More at Marriott”.

Highlighting the theme of “more” are six custom illustrations created by the world famous artist Kareem Iliva (who has created art for the likes of Chanel No. 5 and Champagne Perrier-Jouet, to name only a few). The eye-catching art will be featured in 26 gateway airports and feature watercolor silhouettes on background images of Marriott hotels in London, Beijing, Aruba and Pune, India.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Complete Story Matters When It Comes to Success in the Hospitality Industry

Today’s customer requires far more than a dated features-and-benefits approach when it comes to securing their repeat loyalty.

We now live in a world of transparency where a depth of tradition matters as much as contemporary innovation. Indeed, one empowers the other, blending the strengthening heritage of the past with the thrill of the new.

Successful chefs, such as Guy Savoy, are well aware of the motivating power of an enriched story. Indeed, they take this expanded legacy of service and style with them as travel. As a result, today the hospitality industry reaches far beyond the kitchen into the everyday experience of diners.

British Airways has also embraced the value of the enhanced story in their new marketing campaign. It provides an excellent sample of blending the past with the present while looking to the better future.

Today’s leading chefs increasing use this model to expand their success while they embrace the growing professional responsibly of their enhanced visibility as expressed at the 2nd Summit of the International Advisory Board of the Basque Culinary Center hosted in Lima, Peru this year.

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011