MIAMI—Overproof, the first and only business intelligence company that creates commercial planning, execution and tracking tools for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries, is pleased to announce its not-for-profit virtual happy hour initiative, CompanyToast, generated $700,000 for the hospitality industry in its first year. Since May 2020, CompanyToast has worked with more than 300 bartenders, who have led virtual cocktail-making classes for more than 3,000 consumers. CompanyToast was created to offer an interactive way for companies to boost morale and keep remote teams engaged, while providing job opportunities for bartenders. Bartenders handle all aspects of the execution, including sourcing, packaging, and delivering kits...

LOS ANGELES—Following the release of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) urgent climate warning, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz (CD5) and Mike Bonin (CD 11) got approved by City Council a motion institutionalizing their Regenerate LA healthy soils initiative, which they are calling “an antidote to global warming.” The legislative action will help to “drawdown,” or pull greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through a holistic, comprehensive effort by using the City’s annual estimated 280,000 tons of food waste to build healthy soils on parklands and open space. In the wake of the COVID-19 economic crisis, the additional...

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP)—a purpose driven Holistic Hospitality company—redoubled its commitment to its core values of healthy, kind, and green. Specifically, SCP announced it will become fully vegetarian across all its venues, will achieve net zero waste company-wide, and will standardize all its guestrooms on its signature “Peaceful Rooms” design, which provides sleep and relaxation experiences centered on non-toxic, plant-based bedding and Zen design elements, but which are free from traditional guestroom distractions such as clocks and TVs. SCP’s goal is to fully implement these three new programs during 2022. “Born out of a vision to help...

FREMONT, CALIF.—Power Knot LLC, a market leader for on-site organic waste management solutions, announced that it has successfully installed an LFC-500 biodigester at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. The LFC-500 biodigester is capable of digesting up to 1500 kg (3300 lb) of food waste per day. The Maldives is a nation of small islands in the Indian Ocean that is a popular tourist destination spot. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is a natural 44-acre wilderness in the secluded Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The resort incorporates 103 thatched bungalows and villas of contemporary Maldivian design, featuring four restaurants and bars as well as...

TORONTO—1 Hotels, the mission-driven, sustainable, luxury hospitality brand has opened 1 Hotel Toronto, the sixth property in its portfolio, in partnership with Mohari Hospitality. To mark its Canadian debut, the hotel hosted a ceremonial tree planting with Tree Canada whereby 2021 native trees will be planted throughout the city. “1 Hotel Toronto sets a new standard for responsible luxury hospitality and serves as a city escape where guests can connect with nature,” said 1 Hotels Founder and CEO & Chairman of Starwood Capital Group, Barry Sternlicht. “1 Hotels embraces the idea that living well includes protecting the natural beauty around us...

My family and I just returned from a week of vacation in New Mexico. I love the West and it was a great opportunity to visit natural destinations as well as businesses. We ate out the entire time and one thing I encountered repeatedly was over portioning of food. At an eatery in Santa Fe, I ordered a chicken dish that easily could have fed several people. Perhaps you have encountered this trend in your travels? “When eating at many restaurants, it’s hard to miss that portion sizes have gotten larger in the last few years,” the CDC says. When vacationing,...

GLENVIEW, ILL.—ITW Food Equipment Group has announced the launch of the Hobart SmartConnect app, the first in ITW Food Equipment Group’s SmartConnect365 suite of apps designed to connect end-users to various WiFi-enabled commercial kitchen equipment across ITW Food Equipment Group brands such as Hobart, Baxter, Traulsen, Vulcan, Foster, Bonnet and more. SmartConnect is the smart way to stay connected to the kitchen. Simply download the SmartConnect app and connect to any WiFi-enabled ITW Food Equipment Group devices using your existing WiFi network. The app gives power to the user to monitor kitchen equipment remotely, providing real-time access and analysis to machine data right from the palm of...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Shutters on the Beach announced the appointment of Richard Archuleta as Executive Chef of 1 Pico, the iconic Southern California restaurant located at the acclaimed Santa Monica hotel. Bringing over a decade of culinary expertise honed at Michelin-starred restaurants to his new role, Archuleta will lead culinary operations at 1 Pico with a focus on coastal California cuisine and fresh-market fare. “We are excited to welcome Chef Richard Archuleta to our Shutters on the Beach family,” said Charlie Lopez-Quintana, General Manager, Shutters on the Beach. “Richard’s culinary passion, creativity and extensive background will be an incredible asset to 1 Pico. He will serve...

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Despite the uncertainties of the past year, one thing remains certain: people will always want to travel and will always look to travel for inspiration. And for many Americans, the famed wine region of Tuscany is at the top of their travel wish list. With Italy having eased its border and travel restrictions for vaccinated visitors this summer in accordance with new European Union guidelines, the country’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions are relaunching and preparing to welcome back guests from the United States. Toscana Resort Castelfalfi has officially reopened its doors, offering travelers the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and others after a long...

TORONTO—1 Hotels, the mission-driven, sustainable, luxury hospitality brand is now accepting reservations for its soon-to-open retreat located in the heart of Toronto beginning August 4, 2021. This is the first location in Canada for the award-winning, nature-focused hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, CEO and Chairman of Starwood Capital Group. The iconic King Street West property was acquired and redeveloped as a luxury lifestyle destination by Mohari Hospitality, a real estate investment company founded by the entrepreneurial investor Mark Scheinberg. The design was developed in collaboration with SH Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Starwood Capital Group, and famed architect and designer...