Category: Hotels

Food design.

Ever thought of food as being designed? I thought so. Usually we don’t. Usually we ‘just cook’ and eat. Usually a chef is the culinary designer. But we really never think of food as being designed, do we?! At least I didn’t. Before.But then along came among others Heston Blumenthal, the culinary alchemist that creates his own version of innovative style of cuisine. His search for a greater understanding of taste and flavor make him research the molecular compounds of dishes. Now that’s what I call a different style of cooking. More like….food design sort of, kind of…

You can enjoy Heston Blumenthal’s creations by visiting his restaurant The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, UK.

But there are naturally more chefs designing exciting culinary experiences, such as i.e. the two co-owners of Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark – René Redzepi and Claus Meyer. The name Noma comes from No=Nordic Ma=Mad (food in Danish), clever eh? Noma was awarded ‘The World’s Best Restaurant’ and ‘The Best Restaurant in Europe’ 2010 by The S. Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurants. Way to go, I’d say!

When you go to Copenhagen to savor Noma’s exquisite food (don’t forget to make reservations months and months in advance!) you just might want to stay somewhere…special?! DMKA recommends CPH Living at Christianshavn. The very same area where you find Noma. Besides, Christianshavn is a really wonderful, quirky area that is evolving and growing every day. CPH Living is only 3-star but really nice anyway. It is actually a boat, carefully renovated, floating in the canal with the feeling of freedom that large windows over looking water gives you.

Now, I get distracted by it all. What I wanted to tell ya’ll from the beginning was that the worlds first ever International Symposium on Food Experience design will take place in London on November 9th. Phew…it took me a while didn’t it?!

This symposium is a forum where researchers and practitioners will discuss, and speak about design, food and experiential knowledge of it all. It might get a bit academic, but it also might be very very interesting. However, it doesn’t end with the symposiom; The 6th Food Design Exhibition will take place between November 9-28 and it will open at 6 pm, just after the symposium. In order for you to take it all in. The Food Design Exhibition will give you a chance for all interested parties to meet with designers, chefs and professionals.

At the symposium Anna Cerrocchi will speak about Designing Food, Inga-Britt Gustafsson about The Five Aspects Meal Model, Fabio Parasecoli about A Cultural Approach to Food Experience, Linden Reilly about Form on The Plate, Sonja Stummerer and Martin Hablesreiter about What Should Food be Like to be Successful among other speakers and topics.

A place to stay in London? How about London Haymarket Hotel?

Have fun!

Elegant design by Lilith Rockett.

Look at these jars. Made in elegant white porcelain and…just lovely to watch. It is like an installation, but it is actually every day household jars.Wouldn’t it make you happy to take some cookies out of one of these? It sure would make me feel…content even. I love good design in every day life. The designer behind these are Lilith Rockett, a ceramic designer who operates out of her studio in Portland, OR . You will find Rocketts designs online at Kobo in Seattle  and the OK Store in Los Angeles.  And naturally at Rockett’e own online store. Just click at the blue words and it will take you there…Don’t say I don’t look out for you!

I am even so nice that I will recommend a hotel, hence your sudden urge to throw yourself on a plane, in the car, bus, train or your bike and go see one of Rocketts gallery showings or if you want to have a little retail therapy in Seattle and/or Los Angeles.

How about this hotel?

Hotel Max Seattle is a newly renovated quite large hotel [168 rooms] but with a modern design makeover. The look of the hotel is wonderful, the minute you enter you notice all brightly colored modern furnishings against the dark masculine backgrounds. It actually looks kind of Nordic:ish rather than Northwestern rustic. But there are a lot of local color and flair such as work by Seattle artists, a collection of Seattle rock photography adorn the walls of the public spaces as well as on every guest room’s door. And the guest rooms has a simple-chic aesthetic to them, with a splash of luxury. Last but not least Hotel Max is Pet friendly, Gay friendly and…well, friendly you know. Want to go? You know you want to…click here and you will be directed to the hotel. Enjoy your trip!

For those in the mood for some California sun and fun. How about Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles?

Look at the view, the crisp interior decorations and check out the b e d! And the mirror with orange organza draped over it (or maybe I am wrong – either way it looks adorable to me). Last but not least, you’ve got to see this

Especially look at the picture to the right. Ahhh, I want to be there so bad. Outdoor dining amongst over sized terracotta flower pots with trees in them. Isn’t it adorable?! I know, I know – I should cut to the chase. You want to make your reservations to The Mondrian. Yesterday. Well, can’t accommodate that, but if you click here you will be directed to their site. Have fun in LA! [write me a post card, will you?!]

Why not design a hotel?

Have you heard? Do you already know it?

Maison Moschino in Milan is a boutique hotel with the flurriest, fluffiest, extraordinary rooms. Check these out:

How about that wolf? *smile* Isn’t that extraordinary?! Imagine coming in to the room at night being met by a grinning wolf in your bed. That’ll get you sleepy, right?!

Alas, since I am a lamp addict presently:

Check it out, dresses as lamps. Wonderful idea. And I like those fluffy sheep as well. Although they aren’t lamps, they’re cute anyway!
More cool rooms:

Want to know more? Click here