#Trending This Week - Our Love Affair With Whiskey May Be Over, Check Out The Maritozzi, Waitographers Can Assist With Food Photos, And Travel Influencers Become Tour Guides
Issue 99 • June 28, 2022
We’ll admit it…our mouths were salivating when we saw the lead character in NetFlix’s “Love & Gelato” eating this gorgeous puffy pastry filled with cream in Rome. Turns out it’s called a “Maritozzi” and yes, you can get one here in the US. It seems like Bourbon and other whiskey is poised to take a back seat to some new distilled spirits. Travel influencers are finding a new way to make money. And one hotel brand has trained their restaurant service teams to be “Waitographers.” Check it all out in our three-minute read below.
And Now We Have The ”Waitographer”
Leveraging the trend of people who love to take food photos or group selfies in restaurants, but may not be able to get the composition just right, Hilton Hotels has decided to certify its team of waiters and staff as smartphone photographers to ensure guests have an exceptional dining experience. Hilton’s “Waitographers” will be around to offer smartphone photography assistance at all times during an evening meal. Read more in Digital Camera World here.
Our Love Affair With Whiskey May Be Over
While Americans have always had a love affair with whiskey — and particularly Bourbon, as is evidenced by its huge popularity in recent years — the reality is that in 2022, Tequila and Mezcal sales will outpace American whiskey for the first time. In even more stunning news, a new drinks market analysis is predicting that agave spirits will surpass Vodka, the most popular spirit category, in sales by 2023. Read more in The Robb Report here.
Instagram Influencers Become Tour Guides
For those consumers who are absolutely head over heels in love with a travel influencer, there’s a good chance they will be able to travel with them instead of going solo. There is a growing trend of influencers curating photo-worthy itineraries with vetted tour companies, which means followers simply have to book the trip and flights. Leading trips for solo travelers is one more lucrative way for influencers to diversify their income as they receive a commission when followers book trips through their links. Photo Credit: Alyssa Ramos. Read more in Forbes here.
Say Ciao To The Maritozzi
If you’ve had a chance to catch NetFlix’s “Love & Gelato,” you will see the main character, Lina, stuffing her face with Italian Maritozzi after an evening of drinking in Rome. We had never heard of these Italian cream buns before, but Bon Appetit says they are a sleeper hit at one LA restaurant and are trending on TikTok videos. They have also been showing up at more bakeries and restaurants across the US since the pandemic began. Read more in Bon Appetit here.
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