Innovazione

📱 At Sigep 2025, Fabio Russo interviewed Caterina De Mauro, CEO of Aroma Macchine, a Campania-based company specializing in coffee machines for OCS and Horeca sectors. It was the company's first time at the fair, garnering positive feedback from both Italian and international audiences. The event allowed visitors to explore their product range, including the bestseller Plus, with a focus on the Horeca line, set to be the business's core in the coming years. Aroma Macchine aims to provide a complete package of high-quality equipment and dedicated services for professionals.

🍸 Kraft Heinz enters the ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages market with Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers. Nearly 1 in 5 consumers use Crystal Light as a cocktail mixer, leading to this product innovation. Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers boasts only 77 calories, zero sugars, and 3.8% ABV, targeting the 40% of hard seltzer consumers who prefer this alcohol volume. Initially available in the northeastern U.S. for $9.99 per four-pack, a broader expansion with new flavors and multipack options is planned for 2026. Crystal Light becomes the first powdered drink brand to enter the hard seltzer segment, aligning with evolving consumer preferences.

🍕 Four renowned Italian pizza masters came together for “DIALOGHI,” an exclusive event on Monday, 17 March at Modus Milano, showcasing their regional culinary traditions through pizza. Paolo De Simone, host and founder of Modus Pizzeria, delighted guests with his “Cilentana” and "Cannolo Cilentano." Raffaele Bonetta offered “Malazè,” Angelo Pezzella served “Pizza Verdone,” and Manuel Maiorano presented “Nuda e Cruda.” The event paid tribute to both local traditions and the host city Milan with the “Pizza Fritta Milanese,” combining pizza with ossobuco.

☕ Lavazza introduces "Tales of Italy," a collection elevating Italian espresso tradition with a contemporary twist, targeting Horeca professionals. Harnessing 130 years of experience, the line features four blends named after iconic Italian locations: MILANO – GALLERIA (100% Arabica), VENEZIA – CANAL GRANDE (70% Arabica, 30% Robusta), ROMA – TRASTEVERE (50% Arabica, 50% Robusta), and NAPOLI – RIVIERA DI CHIAIA (20% Arabica, 80% Robusta). Each blend boasts unique aromatic notes and is certified by the Istituto Espresso Italiano (IEI). Lavazza's survey conducted by Eumetra shows that 98% of Italians consume breakfast daily, with 50% doing so outside home at least once a month, and 20% multiple times weekly. Coffee ranks as the top criterion for selecting a breakfast venue, with cappuccino (34%) and espresso (27%) as favorite drinks. Lavazza also emphasizes its commitment to training with its Training Center, active since 1989, with 58 locations worldwide and over 30,000 professionals educated annually.

📈 Longino & Cardenal, a key player in high-end food distribution, announces its official relaunch in the United States with a new base in New York. Eyeing a Food Service market projected at $1.5 trillion by 2024, with growth expected to reach $1.77 trillion by 2030, they aim to become a strategic partner in fine dining. Restarting in 2025 after an initial pandemic entry, they introduce a new logistic hub, a fresh team led by Country Manager Franco Denari, and the first U.S. catalog featuring exclusive products, including becoming the leading Marconi oyster importer in the USA. The expansion was marked by a launch event at The Fulton by internationally-renowned French chef Jean-Georges in New York, highlighting Longino & Cardenal's commitment to the U.S. food service industry, focusing on high-quality ingredients and innovative culinary experiences.

🍳 Professional kitchens face challenges such as limited space, high operational costs, and the need for high-quality standards. iVario Pro by RATIONAL reduces energy consumption by 40% and speeds up cooking by up to four times. Teknica SRL, collaborating with RATIONAL for 25 years, began offering personalized iVario Pro demonstrations in June 2023. I.P.E.I. SRL's direct trial strategy led to the purchase of six iVario units after a one-week trial, surpassing the initial skepticism of five units. These initiatives demonstrate how iVario Pro can simplify kitchen work, ensuring efficiency and optimal results.

???? Elementi Cocktail & Pizza in Prato, active for two years, launches "Migration" cocktail list inspired by animal migration routes. Bartender Francesco Giuntini merges global flavors and traditions in each drink, in collaboration with Gruppo Lucano, featuring products like Vermouth Mancino, Amaro Lucano, and Rinomato Aperitivo. Highlights include the Whale, Sahara Stork, Crazy Fish, Aurora Opal Dancer, Elusive, and Artik Raptor, showcasing a fusion of diverse ingredients. The list complements Elementi's dining experience, which includes a nine-course tasting menu by pizzaiolo Roberto Cordioli.

🌍 Booking.com's "Travel Predictions 2025" emphasizes a shift towards authentic and responsible travel experiences, increasingly aided by AI, such as AI Trip Planner. Baby boomers are seeking adventurous activities like skydiving and Antarctic camping. Airports are becoming a significant part of the travel experience, with some tourists visiting destinations for the airports themselves. Night tourism and wellness-focused accommodations are also emerging trends identified by Matthias Schmid, Senior Vice President of Accommodations at Booking.com.

✈ Virgin Atlantic collaborates with Joby Aviation to offer electric air taxi service to London Heathrow and Manchester airports. Supporting Joby's efforts for certification, Virgin will market the service and advocate for vertical landing areas at airports. The four-seater electric aircraft can cover routes up to 160 kilometers, potentially reducing Heathrow to Canary Wharf travel from 80 to just 8 minutes. Joby, also partnered with Delta following a $60 million investment, plans a UK network with competitive pricing.

🚢 Avalon Waterways by 2026 will revamp its entire fleet of European river cruise ships to meet luxury standards. This year, Avalon Artistry II, Avalon Impression, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Tapestry II, and Avalon Tranquility II will undergo renovation. In 2026, Avalon Expression and Avalon Visionary will be updated. Upgrades include new interiors, chic outdoor spaces with new furnishings, a second Starlink antenna for enhanced Wi-Fi, an improved Observation Lounge, updated fitness rooms with Kinesis weight machines, 15 new pedal bikes, and 4 new e-bikes. Pam Hoffee, the company's president, emphasizes the goal of perfectly designed cruises with these fleet enhancements.