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Description
Property Location With a stay at Hotel Club in Bratislava (Nivy), you'll be minutes from Tehelne Pole Stadium and close to Slavin Monument. This hotel is within close proximity of Compatriot's Museum ...
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Property Location Located in Florence (Santa Maria Novella), Hotel Club is minutes from Santa Maria Novella Basilica and Museum and Santa Maria Novella Square. This 4-star hotel is within close proxim...
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Property Location With a stay at Club Hotel, you'll be centrally located in Mestre, convenient to Villa Salus Hospital and San Giuliano Park. This hotel is within close proximity of Toniolo Theatre an...
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Property Location Located in Sant Josep de sa Talaia (Cala de Bou), Hotel Club San Remo is convenient to San Antonio Beach and Passeig de ses Fonts. This hotel is within close proximity of Egg of Colu...
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Property Location When you stay at Hotel Club Vacanciel Guethary in Guethary, you'll be by the ocean and convenient to Lafitenia Beach. This apartment is within the vicinity of Church of St-Jean-Bapti...
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Property Location With a stay at Hotel Club La Noria in Sant Josep de sa Talaia (Playa den Bossa), you'll be close to Aguamar Water Park and Ibiza Castle. This all-inclusive resort is within close pro...
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Property Location Located in Sciacca, Hotel Club Alicudi is near the sea and convenient to Castello Incantato and Lumia. This 4-star hotel is within the region of Church of Maria Santissima del Soccor...
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Property Location With a stay at Hotel Club Europa in Calvia (Peguera), you'll be within the vicinity of Port of Adriano and Western Water Park. This family-friendly hotel is within the vicinity of Pa...
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Property Location With a stay at Hotel Club Due Torri in Maiori, you'll be convenient to Maiori Beach and Roman Villa. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of Castle of S. Nicola de Thoro-Plano...
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Property Location Centrally located in Casteldaccia, Hotel Club Solunto Mare is convenient to Soluntum Ruins and Guttuso Museum. This beach hotel is within the region of Piazza della Kalsa and Regiona...
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Description
Property Location Located in Argeles-sur-Mer, Hôtel Club Les Albères is close to Argeles Adventure and Argeles Beach. This family-friendly hotel is within the vicinity of Collioure Beach and Church of...
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Property Location With a stay at Hotel Club del Sol in Acapulco (Zona Dorada), you'll be minutes from Amazing World and close to La Quebrada Cliffs. This hotel is within close proximity of Playa Conde...
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Property Location With a stay at Hotel Club Sabbiadoro in Battipaglia (Salerno), you'll be within the region of National Archaeological Museum of Pontecagnano and National Museum of Agro Picentino. Th...
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Property Location When you stay at Hotel Club Kennedy in Roccella Jonica (Reggio di Calabria Ionian Coast), you'll be within the region of Locri Epizephiri National Archaeological Museum. Rooms Make y...
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Property Location When you stay at Hotel Club Del Mar in Jaco, you'll be on the beach and convenient to Neo Fauna and Jaco Beach. This beach hotel is within the region of Herradura Beach and Mantas Be...
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Property Location With a stay at Hotel Club House Roma in Rome (Aurelio), you'll be convenient to San Carlo di Nancy Hospital and St. Peter's Basilica. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of P...
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Property Location Located in Sant'Agnello, Hotel Club - Sorrento is convenient to Museo Correale di Terranova and Deep Valley of the Mills. This hotel is within close proximity of Sedile Dominova and ...
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Property Location Located in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Hotel Club La Sirena is on an island, minutes from San Antonio Beach, and close to Egg of Columbus. This all-inclusive resort is within close prox...
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Property Location Located in Hammamet, Hotel Les Colombes is by the sea, minutes from Omar Khayam Beach, and close to Bel Azur Beach. This beach hotel is within the vicinity of Hammamet Souk and Siren...
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Property Location With a stay at Club Hotel Giverola in Tossa de Mar, you'll be convenient to Tossa de Mar Beach and Tossa de Mar Castle. This family-friendly hotel is within the vicinity of Cala Cany...
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Property Location With a stay at Club Hotel Drago Park in Pajara (Costa Calma), you'll be close to Costa Calma Beach and La Pared Beach. This 4-star hotel is within the region of Cofete Beach and Jand...
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Description
Property Location A stay at Club Hotel Sera places you in the heart of Antalya and within the vicinity of Antalium Premium Mall and Hidirilik Tower. This 5-star hotel is within the vicinity of Broken ...
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Description
Property Location Located in Orosei (Gulf of Orosei), Club Hotel Torre Moresca is convenient to Juniper Cove and Ginepro Beach. This 4-star hotel is within the region of Museo Comunale and Su Petrosu ...
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Most recent reviews from the community

The price we found was excellent as well as the quality of the hotel. The room was very comfortabl

There were no real disadvantages, cheaper than London for a four star Hotel !!! Pictures to prove

...Village Hotel & Leisure Club Swansea
This was my first outing into Wales for some fifteen years. This hotel also was an excellent accomodation with great facilities. To the right of the hotel was a Starbucks and to the left was a pub. If one stays in Swansea this place can use this hotel for lazy relaxing days to use the facilities inside the hotel as well as using this hotel as a base to...

...The Club Hotel and Spa is located in St Helier, the main town in Jersey. It is a five star hotel and is very proud of its numerous accolades, which include a ?Top 200 Hotel? award from the AA and a Michelin starred restaurant, which has been listed in Egon Ronay?s top 25 restaurants in the UK.
This isn?t the kind of hotel that I usually stay in when I?m on a city break, as I am very much...

...did not want a long transfer from the airport to get to our accommodation and we wanted to be within ten minutes of the town. We ended up picking a hotel called the Forever Club through Thompson Airways. The holiday cost us £500 each for a week, all inclusive at a four star resort including flights and transfers to and from the airport. The flight took nearly four hours each way and the transfer...


Andy Thornley

In Search Of London's Vanished Castles

Castle Baynard cut an imposing figure at the western end of the City of London.

As the old adage goes, an Englishman’s home is his castle. But where are London’s actual castles? Even the most fresh-off-the-boat tourist could not fail to notice that the Tower of London is central London’s sole surviving bastion; however, throughout the ages several castles and fortifications have existed within inner London.

Baynard’s Castle

The site on Paul's Walk that marks the former location of Banyard's Castle.

Baynard’s Castle, named after Ralph Baynard – a nobleman who came to these shores with William the Conqueror — used to sit where the River Fleet met the Thames at Blackfriars. The Fleet is still there, but runs in a sewer beneath Farringdon Street and New Bridge Street.

Clues to the Castle’s location remain, if you know what to look for. Castle Baynard Street near Upper Thames Street gives a strong hint as to its vicinity, as does the blue plaque erected by the City of London Corporation to mark the spot – on Paul’s Walk, almost opposite the Tate Modern on the north bank of the Thames.

Clues to the location of our missing castle are all around.

The soke, or right to hold court, in Baynard’s Castle was afforded to Robert Fitzwalter, a feudal baron of Little Dunmow, Essex. Fitzwalter led the baronial opposition against King John in the 1212 Conspiracy. On discovering the plot, John exiled Fitzwalter and demolished the castle a year after. It was rebuilt at a later stage, but succumbed to the flames of the Great Fire in 1666 and no visible trace of it remains today. That said, the church of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, although rebuilt post-fire, was originally part of the castle complex, and was formerly known as St Andrew by Castle Baynard.

Montfichet's Castle

Almost a next-door neighbour to Baynard’s Castle, this Norman fortification once stood on Ludgate Hill from the 11th Century. This raised ground near the confluence of the Fleet and Thames would have had natural strategic importance.

According to John Stow, a 16th century historian, antiquarian and author of The Survey of London, the castle was named after the Baron of Mountfichet, who came to England during the Norman Conquest.

Archaeological work was undertaken in the area by the Museum of London between 1986 and 1990. It found ditches thought to be the southern defences of the tower, on the north side of Carter Lane between numbers 52–66 running east to west. The dig also found what signs of a bailey between other ditches, although no masonry was found.

Further evidence of the castle can also be adduced from the local road names. The Old Bailey is believed to have been named after the bailey of the castle and, in turn, has also lent its name to the Central Law Courts – more commonly known as the Old Bailey.

There is also now an office building at 29 Ludgate Hill called Montfichet House. A tantalising, but unreferenced, nugget on Wikipedia suggests that a series of tunnels were discovered under the building in 2009; however, requests to access these by archaeologists were denied.

The castle was demolished by castle-killer King John following the 1212 Conspiracy. The site was sold as part of a Baynard’s/Monfichet’s castle package to the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Kilwardby, in 1275 for the precinct of the great Dominican Priory at Blackfriars.

Savoy Palace

Not a castle as such (despite its ramparts), but one of the grandest noble homes ever built in the country, Savoy Palace stretched from Strand to the river front, almost exactly where the Savoy Hotel and the Savoy Theatre live today.

The palace was in the desirable location between the City of London and the Palace of Westminster, where parliament and the Royal Court were enacted – but crucially upstream and downwind from the stink of peasant life and threat of fires to the east. It was also once home to Geoffrey Chaucer, who began writing The Canterbury Tales while living there as a clerk.

It was destroyed in 1381 during the Peasant’s Revolt after King Edward III’s son, John of Gaunt, who lived in the Palace, was blamed for introducing an unpopular ‘Poll Tax’ – anything that could not be smashed or burned was thrown into the Thames.

In a case of history repeating itself, riots and the torching of buildings ensued just 400m down the road in Trafalgar Square after Margaret Thatcher also tried to introduce an unpopular ‘Poll Tax’ in 1989.

London’s Roman Fort

One of the former bastions of the Roman wall.

As well as being the name of a major thoroughfare in the City, the London Wall was a Roman defensive wall built in the 2nd or 3rd Century. The wall survived intact until the middle ages and was the traditional boundary to the City of London.

Around a century before the wall was constructed, however, a Roman fort was built near what is now the Museum of London. The city wall later became incorporated into the structure, with the north and west walls thickened and doubled in height.

The Roman ruins near Barbican remain a popular attraction.

The fort had four gates – one in each of the walls, with the north wall eventually becoming Cripplegate – which was unfortunately destroyed during the Blitz.

Little of the fort remains today, but you can find remains on Noble Street and in a car park adjacent to the museum (opened to visitors on Open House weekend in September). Many sections of the greater wall are still prominent around the City, including one of its bastions in the gardens at Barbican.

An even earlier Roman fort was recently uncovered by archaeologists, close to London Bridge.

Lines of Communication

Lines of Communication might sound like a self-help book, but they were, in fact, fortifications commissioned by Parliament in 1643 during the English Civil War, which started the year previous.

The ramparts were made from earth, stretched for around 18km, featured 23 types of fortification and were built in less than two months by around 20,000 men. They were designed to protect the capital from attack by the Royalist armies of Charles I. The walls were never needed and were destroyed within a year or two of their creation. Very few clues to their existence remain. The line of Cannon Street Road in Shadwell closely follows the eastern perimeter, and Mount Street in Mayfair might be another reference.

Map

The map below shows the Tower of London (mauve), City walls and fort (purple), Baynard's Castle (green), Montfichet's Castle (blue) and the Lines of Communication (red).

See also: London's best ruins.


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Have just returned from a 3 night stay whilst on a business trip to London with 6 other colleagues.
The facilities are excellent, staff very professional and extremely helpful nothing was too much trouble. Standards of cleanliness are very high, food is second to none....More

We stayed at the K+K for ten days , half before a tour of the UK and Ireland and half after. In general this is a great hotel and we would not hesitate to return on a future trip to London. The location is perfect...More

This is a great property! I love the comfortable room (free internet!). Its very comfortable and the staff is very friendly. I love the breakfast (with mimosas) and the garden views. Very pleasant experience.
Also, it is in a great location within walking distance to...More

We stayed here based upon the TA reviews. It is very convenient to the Earl's Court underground in a very nice neighborhood. The garden in the back is a really nice place to enjoy your morning or afternoon tea.
The staff were great, hotel room...More

The location was great. Very close to tube station, and within walking distance of serveral very good restaurants. The staff was very accomodating and helpful. Clean and well maintained rooms. The breakfast buffet had variety of tasty offerings. We will absolutely return.

TripAdvisor gives a Certificate of Excellence to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers.

Amenities

Top amenities

Room Service

Free High Speed Internet ( WiFi )

Restaurant

Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room

Bar/Lounge

Hotel Amenities

Room Service

Business Centre with Internet Access

Dry Cleaning

Meeting Rooms

Laundry Service

Concierge

Multilingual Staff

Conference Facilities

Room amenities

Air Conditioning

Refrigerator in room

Minibar

Things to do

Restaurant

Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room

Bar/Lounge

Details

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US$157 - US$347 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

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Star rating provided by Expedia.

Hotel Style

#24 Green Hotel in London

#102 Romantic Hotel in London

#111 Family Hotel in London

#116 Business Hotel in London

#163 Luxury Hotel in London

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Non-Smoking Rooms

Number of rooms

154

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culture Where xXx: The Return of Xander Cage was filmed in Toronto

Toronto gets all extreme and puts some Diesel in its tank when the heroic Xander Cage and friends come to visit.

Toronto’s extensive work on the silver screen reveals that, while we have the chameleonic ability to look like anywhere from New York City to Moscow, the disguise doesn’t always hold up to scrutiny. Reel Toronto revels in digging up and displaying the films that attempt to mask, hide, or—in rare cases—proudly display our city.

It’s Diesel time! Understand, good readers, Vin Diesel did not have to make xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. For one thing, whereas once xXx and The Fast and Furious might have lead to vociferous critical debates on which was the seminal Vin Diesel franchise, history has since spoken on the apparently never ending cultural impact of the latter. And, even locally, his cinematic legacy is more than secure. This isn’t just any thespian. This is THE Pacifier! But in an era of Twin Peaks redux and Fuller House, of course society should demand a third xXx movie.

So, between driving cars into submarines and spending five minutes a year in a small booth saying, “I am Groot!” in every Earth language, Vin Diesel did come. Vin Diesel did give us this beautiful gift. He did bring Xander Cage back to life just one more time, and right here on our fair streets

As every movie should, this one opens with Samuel L. Jackson delivering an expositional monologue.

Through the window we can identify the outside as Adelaide Street East…

…but they appear to have used special effects to paste in the background as the interior is actually Spadina’s Goldstone Noodle, where we just saw Jessica Chastain chow down a few weeks ago. Hollywood magic!

We pan down here, on “CIA Headquarters”…

…but this is actually Mowat Block, on Bay Street. It’s played CIA HQ more times than Vin Diesel has played the leader of a crazy team of badasses who go on wacky, ever-crazier adventures together.

This interior is the same location…

…with its distinctive, dark-marble walls.

When we go to this street-level scene after, we’re actually a few blocks south…

…outside 130 Adelaide Street West.

This pool, as you can see, is supposed to be in London.

It’s really just on the roof of our own Thompson Hotel.

This restaurant is similarly supposed to be across the pond…

…but ’tis merely the Market Street Balzac’s.

This massive hangar…

…looks suspiciously like the sound stages at Pinewood.

That means it’s time to get the xXx team together! Like, local Degrassi vet Nina Dobrev!

And this guy…

…who smashes into a fake ATM on Queen Street East.

This dance club…

…looks like it’s actually Union.

The third act of the film takes place in Detroit. This abandoned loft…

…is the since-renovated Crystal Ballroom at the King Eddie.

Not surprisingly, many of the Detroit exteriors were shot in our own post-industrial neighbour, Hamilton.

This overpass, for example…

…despite its impressive view of the skyline, is actually the Burlington Street overpass.

The action goes below the highway…

…as well.

Then there’s a whole chase through the city…

…zipping here…

…by Barton and Lottridge.

It culminates in a crash here…

…at Rebecca and Hughson.

This big finale shootout thingie, however…

…is back here, at the Hearn Generating Station.

And the team gets joined by old friend Ice Cube…

…back in Hamilton, by the port. It looks like this is somewhere on, or around, the Stelco site.

And trying every plot point together with a neat bow…

…Cage meets an old mentor…

…at the very handsome Walmer Road Baptist Church. Because, like, isn’t the human soul and its connection to the infinite the real subject matter here? Something to think about as you, follower of the Church of Dieselianity, wait for the ninth F&F movie or fourth xXx movie, whichever he sees fit to bestow upon us first.

CORRECTION: JUNE 7 9:41AM: This article originally identified Goldstone Noodle as a Purolator on Adelaide. Torontoist regrets the error.


Experience luxury at our downtown Bellevue hotel

Immerse yourself in a stylish city escape at Courtyard Seattle Bellevue/Downtown. Just 15 minutes from exciting attractions in Downtown Seattle and a short drive from Lake Washington, our hotel in Bellevue, WA ensures travelers easy access to all the adventures they crave. Combine convenience with comfort in our modernly appointed accommodations, boasting chic sitting areas, luxury bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi and large work desks with ergonomic chairs for travelers wishing to stay productive in privacy. Fuel the day's activities with a made-to-order omelet and a specialty Starbucks® beverage from Table 8 in the mornings, or wind down with flavorful cuisine inspired by the surrounding area and cocktail in the evenings. During downtime, work up a sweat in our state-of-the-art fitness center, followed by a refreshing dip in our sparkling indoor pool. Whether traveling on business or leisure, treat yourself to all the amenities that make Courtyard one of the premier hotels in Bellevue, WA.

Marriott For:

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Hotels shown on Marriott.com may be operated under a license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates.


Farmland For Sale – A New "Eldorado" for Investors

In Africa, many of the locals are falling victim to "land grabbing". The stakeholders or financiers – and probable winners – are often pension funds and retirement savings plans in the northern hemisphere.

Faced with high-level market risks, the fund managers are keen to diversify their asset portfolios by "investing" in more farmland and agricultural commodities or agri-fuels. More and more seminars are focusing on promoting agricultural investments and land acquisition. These workshops are held in London or Geneva, like last year’s meeting at the Hotel Kempinski, and also in New York, Singapore or later this October in Addis-Ababa. Their success rate is good.

The continual search for new opportunities to make substantial profits quickly has led to a raft of financial products for agricultural commodities and the purchase of farmland as new ways of tapping the potential global returns.

The pension funds, that is, our retirement pension plans, have become the largest institutional "investors" in farmland worldwide. We should be pleased that our pension plans are in such good hands and our financial security is safeguarded for our retirement.

But there is a slight problem here. What was previously known as "land grabbing" is taking on apocalyptical proportions in Africa and elsewhere. Last year in Dakar, I met dozens of local men and women who were driven off their land that they had farmed for generations. Their land was destroyed by agricultural machinery, which is also desecrating their cemeteries and uprooting everything in its path, to prepare the ground for agricultural big business.

"We were driven out as if we were lazy time wasters," said a wizened old man. "We have lost our fields and have nowhere to go. We need them back – what are we supposed to live on otherwise?"

In their eyes, what is happening today means the end of family farms in Africa that employ between 70 and 80% of the local population. The only alternative is to join the ranks of impoverished agricultural workers or boost the numbers of people with no money or work and living on the outskirts of the city.

The assets held in our pension funds therefore leave a bitter taste, too. For this reason, last week several dozen NGOs appealed to countries to take their share of responsibility to "put a stop to land grabbing by the pension funds and financial institutions." And the citizens demanded their right to have a say in investments brokered on their behalf".


Dr. Oetker

Dr. Oetker is a German multinational company that produces baking powder, cake mixes, frozen pizza, pudding, cake decoration, cornflakes, and various other products.

The company is a wholly owned branch of the Oetker Group, headquartered in Bielefeld.

Portfolio
The portfolio includes more than 300 individual companies in five different businesses, among them food (including Dr. Oetker GmbH and Coppenrath & Wiese KG), breweries (Radeberger Group), sparkling wine and spirits (Henkell & Co. Sektkellerei), banking (Bankhaus Lampe), and "further interests" (among them chemicals, financing, and participation, and a number of high-class hotels all over Europe).

History

Formation

The company was founded by Doctor August Oetker in 1891; the first product developed was Backin, a measured amount of baking powder that, when mixed with  of flour and other ingredients, produced a cake.

First World War
Oetker's son, Rudolf, died in the First World War. However, Rudolf and his wife, Ida, had two children, Rudolf-August and Ursula. Ida Oetker remarried Richard Kaselowsky, and they subsequently had four more children. Dr. Kaselowsky raised Rudolf-August and Ursula as his own.

Second World War
During the 1930s and 1940s, Rudolf-August Oetker was an active member of the Waffen SS of the Third Reich.  Mr Oetker provided pudding mixes and munitions to German troops.  It is also reported that the business used slave labour in some of its facilities.  A bronze bust of Richard Kaselowsky, a prominent German entrepreneur and member of the Nazi party, currently still sits within the company headquarters in Bielefeld.

International expansion
Rudolf August Oetker, the grandson of Dr. August Oetker, led the company between 1944 and 1981, and during this period, it achieved its highest growth. The company expanded its presence internationally, acquiring many companies around the world. When Rudolf Oetker stepped down from his leadership position, the fourth generation of the Oetker family took over from him. The family ownership established the management principle that "The interests of the company have priority over those of the family" (Annual Report Dr. August Oetker KG, 2005).

Dr. August Oetker, the great-grandson of the founder, led the company from 1981 until 2010. Under his tenure, it expanded further in all areas, including shipping, food, and brewing.

Richard Oetker, Dr. August Oetker's brother, took over as CEO in 2010.

International presence

Australia
Dr. Oetker purchased Australian food manufacturer Simplot Australia's frozen pizza business, including the iconic brand Papa Giuseppi's in January 2011.
And in 2015 acquired Queensland brand Queen Fine Foods.

Brazil
In Brazil, the company has a site in São Paulo. The company supplies powdered desserts, frozen pizza, and teas. The company has been established in Brazil since 1954.

Canada
The company has its head office and factory in Mississauga, Ontario. In 1962, Dr. Oetker entered the Canadian market as Condima Imports Ltd. In 1992, it purchased the "Shirriff" line of products, which are made at the Mississauga plant. In 2003, the Condima name was dropped and the company started using the Dr. Oetker brand. In July 2011 Dr. Oetker announced the building of its first North American factory in London, Ontario to make frozen pizzas made from Ontario produce and ingredients that will be shipped in Canada and the USA. In August 2014, McCain Foods announced the sale of its North American frozen pizza business to Dr. Oetker. Through product placement on its packaging and through employee giving, the company supports the children's charity SOS Children's Villages Canada.

Denmark
In Denmark, a wide selection is available. Baking powder, frozen pizza, pudding, and cake decorations are sold in most supermarkets.
The company has an office in Glostrup.

Estonia
In Estonia, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

Finland
In Finland, frozen pizzas, pudding, and cake decoration are available at supermarkets.

France
In France, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

India
In India, the company operates offices in Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi. Dr. Oetker sauces, spreads, dessert toppings, cake mixes and salad dressings can be found in all major grocery chains.

Italy
In Italy, Dr. Oetker operates under the brand Cameo. The Italian division was founded in Milano in 1933 as Oetker and then later moved to Desenzano del Garda, which continues until today. In 1953, the name is switched to Cammeo, a more Italian and easy-listening word, changed again for the last time in 1984 to Cameo.

Lithuania
Many Dr. Oetker products are available, including frozen pizzas, baking powder, and gelatine, the latter in both unflavoured and dessert forms.

Malaysia
In Malaysia, Dr. Oetker was currently operated after the acquisition of Nona Foods. The previous ownership of Nona Foods was Toro Food Industries. Previously, Dr. Oetker was represented in Malaysia by Kart Food Industries, between 1998 and 2002, when the company was sold to Amtek Berhad.

Following the acquisition of Nona Foods, the local subsidiary of Dr. Oetker produces jelly mixes and seasoning flour, in addition to pizzas and baking preparations.

Namibia
In Namibia, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

Netherlands
In the Netherlands, frozen pizza and cake mixes can be found in all major grocery chains.

New Zealand
As with the purchase of Simplot Australia's frozen pizza business (see above), Dr. Oetker has been able to move into the New Zealand market.

Norway
In Norway, Dr. Oetker is the second-largest seller of frozen pizza with a market share of 16.5%.

Romania
The company has been present in Romania since 1998, when it took over Regal Corporation. Four years later, it opened a production line near Curtea de Argeș, where the majority of the products sold in Romania are produced. In 2007 Dr. Oetker acquires the local brand Inedit (food soy products), in 2009 the local brand Adazia (food ingredients, food spices and egg-colour), in 2015 the local brand Alex (food ingredients, egg-colour, spices), and in 2016 the local brand Morarita (frozen pastry).

In 2018, Dr. Oetker was one of the biggest players in the food market in Romania (top 100).

Spain
In Spain, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

South Africa
In South Africa, frozen pizza products in many variants, frozen creamed spinach and other ready to eat frozen meals are available at supermarkets.

Sweden
In Sweden, Dr Oetker's baking soda, gelatin, and other baking items, as well as frozen pizza products, are available at supermarkets.

Turkey
In Pancar- Torbali, Izmir,  Dr. Oetker has a production facility, producing goods, such as frozen pizza, baking powder and cake mixes for primarily the Turkish market.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the company has sites in Leeds, Leyland, Lancashire and Sherburn-in-Elmet. The company was a supplier of yogurt in the UK, under the Onken name which Dr. Oetker now no longer owns. The company also supplies frozen pizza, mostly under the Chicago Town brand, and in 2007 acquired the SuperCook range of cake ingredients and partially prepared cake mixes. In September 2017, Dr. Oetker expanded the cake mixes sector with new Bake in the Box Loaf Cake Mix range which is available in UK.

Radeberger Group

Radeberger Group contains the breweries of the Oetker group. Radeberger is Germany's biggest group of breweries and has a market share of about 14-15%. 15 German breweries are part of the Radeberger Group. The major national brands are Radeberger Pils (brewed in Radeberg near Dresden), Jever Pils (brewed in Jever); Clausthaler, an alcohol-free beer, and Schöfferhofer Weizen.

Regional brands are Binding (brewed in Frankfurt), Schultheiss (Berlin), Sternburg (Leipzig), Brinkhoff's (Dortmund), Freiberger (Saxony), Tucher (Fürth) and various Kölsch brands.

Hotels

The company runs ten hotels under the brand Oetker Collection. The portfolio is currently:
 L'Apogée Courchevel in Courchevel, France — situated in the French Alps.
 Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Germany.
 Hotel Le Bristol in Paris, France — located on the Rue Faubourg-St. Honore.
 Château Saint-Martin & Spa in Vence, France —  between Nice and Antibes.
 Hotel du Cap, Cap d'Antibes, France — a hotel in Cap d'Antibes, on the French Riviera.
 Eden Rock St Barths in Saint Barthélemy.
 Lanesborough Hotel in London.
 Palácio Tangará in São Paulo, Brazil.
 Jumby Bay Island in Antigua

See also
 List of frozen food brands

References

External links
 Official international homepage of Dr. Oetker
 Dr. August Oetker Group

Category:Baking powder
Category:Bielefeld
Category:Brand name desserts
Category:Companies based in North Rhine-Westphalia
Category:Food and drink companies established in 1891
Category:Dairy products companies of Germany
Category:Food manufacturers of the United Kingdom
Category:Frozen pizza brands
Category:German brands
Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Germany
Category:Pasta companies
Category:1891 establishments in Germany

Category:Baking mixes


So says Chris Early, VP of Digital Publishing at Ubisoft, in a one-to-one briefing with Pocket-lint in London's Covent Garden Hotel.

"I don't mean that from a standpoint of playing a console game, but that chemical feeling of when you have a win."

We've been sitting in the interview for around 15 minutes chatting games, and impressing Early with our over-sized digital voice recorder, but the conversation has moved on to whether mobile games will replace console games in the future.

With the closure of more than 200 GAME stores in the UK, video game sales in decline and app purchases on the rise, it is a consumer shift that has massive implications on what companies like Ubisoft do to react in the coming years.

"If we only made PC games - like we did 20 years ago - we would have failed a long time ago. Our focus is less about the business environment and more about what you as the player are doing. If we are doing what you like, we will do well," Early tells us before getting back to the question at hand: mobile vs console.

"Is the buzz around mobile and social justified? Absolutely," he sparks, with quite some enthusiasm. "Is it the death of other forms of gaming? Absolutely not."

According to Early it all comes down to what type of gaming experience you want and at what particular time you want it. Citing how the introduction of the television didn't kill the cinema but just gave us another medium on which to watch movies, Early believes that console games aren't going to be disappearing any time soon.

Why? Well for one, console games give us something that mobile games still can't deliver - a "high-definition experience", explains the man from Ubisoft.

"As we start to open up other platforms, we are going to see that time shift, and the overall demographics of the game player change from that small group of people, that we used to say are hardcore gamers, and the person on the street that if, you asked, would say they aren't a gamer, and they will begin to merge."

That merging and popularising of "the gamer" has created, according to Early, a group of people that, while they don't seem themselves as gamers, are just that.

"There is a large percentage of the population who will never play console games who are now gaming. Even though they won't say they're a gamer, if you looked at their iPhone, the majority of applications would be games. Every human is a gamer."

Previously head of Windows Gaming, Early likes games a lot; no matter who makes them. He's flown to the UK for a couple of days to give a speech in London. It seems he can multitask rather well.

"I'm playing a lot of games. I am currently playing Mass Effect 3. I was a gamer when it cost $10 an hour playing online. My favourite game on Facebook is our new Ghost Recon Commander. I am playing the new builds as they are released internally," says Early, not that you would believe him when looking at him.

He doesn't look like your average hardcore gamer who is likely to blast every which way but Sunday. He's mid fifties, grey haired, wearing a tweed jacket and someone, dare we say it, you would expect to see on the golf course with your dad rather than taking heavy fire in a hot zone.

Early is typical of many gamers today. They want both the high-def experience and the casual gaming hit on the go, the common nature of which he is very aware.

"I believe there is share shift that takes place where people have a limited amount of time and I think gamers enjoy a good game mechanic. So, when they find a good game mechanic, regardless of the platform, they are going to play that game.

"As there are more platforms on which to experience those good game mechanics, people are going to shift their share around to those different platforms. The advantage some of those platforms have over the traditional core console game is one of time commitment.

"It is unlikely that I am going to sit down at lunch with my sandwich and go to play a Ghost Recon or Assassin's Creed 3, but I'd probably play a mobile game instead."

Taking the belief that we don't care for the platform, Ubisoft has started creating games to complement its console titles and build up an entire eco-system around each gaming franchise.

"The concept of companion gaming is, 'How do I let you, the player, experience the franchise', whatever that franchise is, 'in a way that's comfortable to you wherever you might be', and for that play to be meaningful and relevant."

The concept of companion gaming will be seen in action with the company's latest Ghost Recon title - Ghost Recon Future Soldier. First debuted at E3 in 2011, the game is due out in the UK on 25 May and comes with a Facebook tie-in game called Ghost Recon Commander.

Gamers who play both will get extra rewards with the Facebook game helping to unlock currency, weapons, and extra features.

That's a very different approach to what many games companies have done previously. This isn't the same game for multiple platforms, but different approaches and gameplay for different platform experiences.

"As a fan of that franchise you will be able to get deeper into the lore without seeing the same cookie-cutter experience across all the different platforms we now support. Regardless of which device you have, you can experience that franchise in the best way that the platform you have at the time can deliver it."

It's not all gaming, gaming, gaming either. In Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Ubisoft has allowed gamers to manage their armoury away from the console, in a separate mobile app called Gunsmith. The information is then saved and uploaded to the game via a central server.

"This type of a helper application is absolutely the way of extending the brand as well," Early says.

The train journey home will never have to be wasted ever again. Once you do get home your mobile phone or tablet experience is unlikely to stop once you pick up a games controller.

Early, who hasn't stopped smiling all interview, believes with systems like the Nintendo Wii U, due out later this year, there is plenty in store for companion gaming. It's clear from talking to him that he isn't just passionate about this area of gaming, but also really excited - and now it's becoming infectious.

"I see the Wii U as an incredible creation opportunity," he sparkles. "With the Wii U, you know that every unit that ships is going to have a companion tablet. Sony has been doing it for a while with the PSP that connects as a secondary screen with the PS3. That's fine if you wanted to make the assumption that your PS3 also happens to have a PSP and has gone through the steps to make the link."

"With the Wii U, you know that it is shipping with it. So then the question is - how do we take advantage of that? How do we create a strategic map when you are playing a first-person shooter? How do we create a hidden board when you are playing a strategy game with other players? There are lots of opportunities and that's very exciting from a game creation standpoint and the abilities we will have."

We ask Early whether he sees the tablet interactivity coming to the other consoles; the Xbox 360 combined with a Windows 8 tablet or Windows Phone device. He does.

"It's not just about the TV not being one screen, it's about all of your devices connecting. In terms of the Wii U and the consoles you mention, how do we design for that multiple screen that is taking place there and does it even have to be an exact support of it?"

"What if I have my iPhone? Is there a reason why my iPhone - even though it might not be tied to the PS3 - couldn't, through a back end service we provide, still be as involved? Maybe not as real-time as something on the Wii U on the screen, but a support of the same game system?"

Early is clearly getting excited and, keen to add fuel to his fire, we mention the iPad becoming an inventory system or a dedicated chat channel.

"I think those are awesome design challenges that are partly driven by the Wii U tablet and screen capability, as we look at other consoles we have to see what they bring out from a hardware standpoint, what they support cross platform-wise and what the penetration might be across all the different devices."

But, just as we're really starting to bounce back and forth the kind of ideas that we all hope happens in game developer offices everywhere, our 30 minutes are up. Buzzing with ideas on a new way of gaming to come, we reluctantly turn off the voice recorder, grab our coat, and look forward to a spot of mobile gaming on the train back to the office. Now, what to play...


Alfred Pisani, Founder and Group Chairman of Corinthia Hotels, appointed Corporate Patron of Just a Drop, the international water-aid charity

(Forimmediaterelease.net) Fiona Jeffery, Founder and Chairman, Just a Drop, the international water-aid charity, announced the appointment of Alfred Pisani, Founder and Group Chairman, Corinthia Hotels, as a corporate patron. Corinthia Hotels, the five-star hotel collection, will also formally adopt Just a Drop as its official charity.

Other Just a Drop patrons include Baroness Joyce Anelay of St. Johns, Lord Digby-Jones, as well as television presenters Stephen Sackur and Alastair Stewart.

Corinthia Hotels hosted the recent Just a Drop annual gala reception at its newly-opened luxury property, the Corinthia Hotel London, located in the heart of the West End in Whitehall Place, in-between Trafalgar Square and the Embankment.

Tony Potter, CEO and Managing Director, CHI Hotels&Resorts, the operating company for Corinthia Hotels, and himself a long-time supporter of Just a Drop, explained that Corinthia Chairman Alfred Pisani was most impressed with Just a Drop, because “the results have positively touched the lives and futures of so many.” Potter added, “Now that Corinthia has opened its flagship hotel in London, we can work more closely with the Just a Drop team to help promote the charity, which has become a benchmark for the travel industry in caring for the very communities around the world that host our guests.”

Jeffery added: “We are absolutely delighted that Corinthia, led by Alfred Pisani, is to get more closely involved with the urgent work of Just a Drop. He has accepted our invitation to become one of its patrons and is to become personally involved in helping lift youngsters and their families out of terrible poverty, where even clean water to drink, cook, and bathe is totally lacking.

“The first year of commitment will see the group supporting community-driven projects in Africa, providing long-term sustainable benefit to communities at the grass roots, directly helping to give children the gift of life and good health.”

Alfred Pisani, commenting from his headquarters in Malta said: “I am delighted to become a corporate patron for Just a Drop for several reasons. Paramount among these is that the charity is based upon providing the world with the essential ingredient of clean water, and in a number of cases, this also benefits communities in which we operate Corinthia Hotels. This is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate our commitment as hoteliers, to working with the local and global community.”

Since its launch 11 years ago, Just a Drop has helped more than a million children and their families in 29 countries worldwide, carrying out health and sanitation programs. The charity relies entirely on donations from individuals and businesses and regular contributions through “Friend for Life." Log on to www.justadrop.org for further information.

PHOTO: Alfred Pisani, Founder&Group Chairman of Corinthia Hotels and Corporate Patron of Just a Drop / Photo from corinthia.com


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HALSEY IS

Feeling BRAVER NOW

From her bold pixie cut to her subtly raspy voice when she hits the high notes, it’s impossible not to pay attention to Halsey and her ever-growing career. While her upcoming third album is still at an early stage, the 24-year-old pop singer feels a shifting point coming in her music.

Ever since she made her splashing entrance into the music scene a few years ago, Halsey made a point of building up these concept albums. Her inaugural record, Badlands, depicted a Mad Max-esque dystopian universe whereas her second one, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, was pretty much her own take on the Shakespearean doomed love story of Romeo and Juliet. Completely immersing herself in these made-up worlds, the singer crafted alter egos and ultimately hid her true feelings behind them. “It’s cool because the metaphor is almost like a cheat code when you’re a writer because you don’t have to put your money where your mouth is,” she admits. But that was before.

At the beginning of last October, something changed in Halsey’s music. That’s when she surprised her eager fanbase with a brand new stand-alone single, ‘Without Me’. She recalls, “I kept telling my fans I was taking a break and then, of course, I put the song out and it was just pandemonium.” Her music video has now reached more than 40 million views and her song gained even more traction when she performed it live at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. For the singer, it’s a defining point in her career since this is the first time she’s being so vulnerable, speaking of her own experiences without the need to dress them up in metaphors. Through ‘Without Me’, Halsey explores the throes of a toxic relationship she found herself in and even though she’s not naming names, hardcore fans know better.

She explains, “I haven’t really gotten into specifics about the song out of respect for everyone’s privacy. But the thing is that I was writing a song about this relationship I had been in, this very high profile, very public relationship. And there was no movie that was as dramatic or as intense as what was happening in my real life. The relationship I was living already was that. It already was that cinematic on its own.” If that one particular song feels rawer, that’s probably because Halsey’s writing process was also entirely different. It all went down this summer while she was touring in South America. “Usually, I sit down and make an album. I’m very particular,” she says. “I sit down, I block out six weeks, have all the sessions set up, I know exactly what I want to write, who I want to work with.” This time, the singer tried something new and got more spontaneous than ever before, getting into the nearest recording studio in the middle of her tour to work on that single.

This past year, Halsey piqued many tabloids’ interest thanks to her relationship with the 29-year-old rapper that shall not be named. It the bat of an eye, she went from rising alternative pop artist to gossip-worthy celebrity. So if ‘Without Me’ was a way for her to finally free herself from the corrosive relationship she used to be in, it was also cathartic to take her narrative back from media and fans alike. “So many people were writing about what they felt was going on in my life,” she admits. “So I was like no, hold on. If you want me to tell you, I’ll tell you. But I’m gonna do it the only way that I know how, which is in my art. I’m not gonna jump on Instagram, go on Twitter, sit in front of my phone… because that’s not me. That’s why I just had to put it into this song.”

We’re both sitting in a hotel in Central London when Halsey tells me all this. She’s incredibly well-spoken and rarely pauses when she speaks. But for a moment, she did, as if to do a quick introspection. She goes on, “I’m not a celebrity, I’m an artist and I think I lost sight of that for a while. This song reminded me that I make art, I don’t make headlines. And it came at the perfect time for me, because now I can make this next album with that mentality of saying what I want to say instead of answering the questions people want answers to.” At the end of the day, it’s obvious that ‘Without Me’ was a way for her to figuratively strip herself naked and just get real. That’s why this song can easily be considered a shifting point in Halsey’s music since it has opened new doors for her.

“I’m a painter, I painted before I made music,” she details. “And I always painted faces, that’s what I loved painting the most. I’m the same way when I write. I think that the one thing my records have in common is that, in a way, they kind of comment on the human condition. So I think the next album will be a further exploration of that.” One thing that could also be drastically different from now on is her habit of making concept albums. Halsey says, “Now that I’ve found this new freedom in saying things for how they are, I don’t know if I’ll keep hiding behind characters. I think I’m braver now that I was before, so this record is gonna be a bit more brave for me.” It almost feels like Halsey is taking a step back to let Ashley – the singer’s actual name and everyday persona – do the work and shine on her own.

While this newfound transparency may scare her a little bit, Halsey can always find solace in the one place she always feels at ease: the stage. When she walks into the spotlight in front of hundreds of people, she seems instantaneously more confident and, frankly, unstoppable. “I surprise myself every time,” she concedes. “Sometimes I do shit on stage and I walk off, and I had no idea who that person was or why I did that. I almost surrender myself to someone else’s control.” Halsey proved that last September when she came to perform in Paris, surprising everyone by doing a cover of Canadian artist Cœur de Pirate and singing in French. “I would never do something like that unless I was on stage because that’s where I become bolder. In real life, I’m like tripping and spilling things and being clumsy and awkward.” The stage is ultimately an outlet, a way for her to let go of her doubts and insecurities to just get creative and let herself loose.

That outward sense of confidence can also be noticed on social media, where Halsey frequently takes a stand against several forms of discrimination whether it’s racism or transphobia. And although her beliefs seem unshakeable, her way of expressing them wasn’t always clear to her. “I’ve learned to pick my battles wisely and to utilize my voice in a more positive manner,” she says. “I think when I first started out, I didn’t understand the impact on my platform and I had to learn my lesson. What’s activism if you’re just calling something out without offering a solution? You’re just a hater, you’re not an activist.”

For now, Halsey is going back to her roots and focusing on her music. “I think it’s going to be a bit more alternative,” she says regarding her upcoming third album. “I think people thought I was going to go in a more urban direction because of the way my last album was, but it will probably the complete opposite.” After collaborating with promising artists such as Quavo and Lauren Jauregui on the Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, she’s open to doing more features but on one condition: “I would really like to work with instrumentalists. I really want to do some guitar with the XX. I’d like to do some piano with Bon Iver. I really want to work people who are musicians, like hands-on artists in the studio, instead of people being like ‘hey I just sent you an email of a song and there’s a timeline’. It’s all so contrived.” Her next record may not have a name yet, but one thing’s certain: Halsey is braver now and is more than ready for whatever comes next.


It’s already a very well known fact that rich people spend huge amounts of money on average things and services not because those things or services are worth that much money but because paying more for something makes that something look a lot more important in the eyes of everybody else.

We usually talk about super fancy sport cars, ostentatious jewelry, overpriced restaurant dinners or pointless amenities in first class airplane cabins, but haircuts are also subject to this show of who-can-pay-more-for-nothing-special.

The luxury hair stylists have understood the name of the game here and offer haircuts for excessive prices. The one with the higher price tag is usually the one more sought after by stars and celebrities and the results are most of the time at least impressive, sometimes even shocking. Yeah, we also wonder who gave Skrillex that haircut.

But now let’s take a look at The Top 10 Priciest Haircuts in the World:

10. Oribe Canales – $400

Oribe Canales is the haristylist chosen by the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Gwyneth Paltrow or Penelope Cruz for their elegant haircuts. A Cuban native, Oribe moved to New York City in 1987 with the dream of becoming a movie star but started working at his own hair salon.

In 1990, Canales expanded to Fifth Avenue at Elizabeth Arden, New York and later created his own hair care company along beauty industry experts Daniel Kaner and Tev Finger. With time, Oribe managed to rise hairstyling to the level of art, by putting his entire creativity to work. His most expensive haircut costs a good $400.

9. Serge Normant – $500

Serge Normant is a French hairstylist who works both in New York and Los Angeles at the John Frieda Salons. He adores to display his skills in front of audiences and thus he often has performances where he does exactly that.

Since he’s sought after by celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore and Ellen Barkin, you shouldn’t be surprised that he charges up to $500 per haircut.

8. Chris McMillan – $600

The renowned hairstylist of Jennifer Aniston, Chris McMillan, has over three decades of experience in hairstyling, with numerous appearances on the covers of Elle, Vogue, InStyle and many other fashion magazines throughout his long and prosperous career.

He used to be a columnist for Allure magazine and in 2002 he opened the Chris McMillan salon in Beverly Hills, making a name for himself through the laidback looks and styles he creates to his clients. And speaking of that, some of his usual clients are celebrities like Courtney Cox, Cindy Crawford, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner and Salma Hayek to name just a few. And they get to pay a hefty $600 per haircut.

7. Frederic Fekkai – $750

Born and raised in Aix-en-Provence, France, Frederic Fekkai moved to New York City in 1979 and by late 1990’s he was already charging an impressive $300 for a haircut. He also created his own line of shampoo with a price tag of $22 per bottle.

His career breakthrough came when he started hairstyling for stars like Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman, Sigourney Weaver, Charlize Theron or Scarlett Johansson. With that came also a rise in the prices he charged, upping the game to a whooping $750 price tag for a signature haircut.

6. Sally Hershberger – $800

Born in Kansas and raised in California, Sally Hershberger started out her career as a hairdresser from the age of eighteen and then became an apprentice at Hollywood’s favorite hairstyle salon, Arthur Jonas, during her time in beauty school.

Her signature haircut of Meg Ryan – called Sally Shag – made her famous and propelled her career on the path to richness. She began having appearances on reality shows such as the Shear Genius and The Jimmy Fallon Show. One of the first stylists to have $600 price tags for haircuts, Sally soon upped the game a little bit more and now gives haircuts for a sky high $800.

5. Orlando Pita – $800

Bravo Network’s Shear Genius star Orlando Pita received numerous awards for his innovative haircut styles. He was the one to work with and create remarkable looks for Michael Kors, Versace, YSL, Prada, Valentino, Dior, John Galliano and many others.

Celebrities like Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow chose him as their hairstylist. His salon, titled Orlo, opened in Manhattan in 2004 and offers haircuts for up to $800. W Magazine named Orlando Pita one of the most influential people in the world of fashion back in October 2007.

4. Ted Gibson – $1,200

Ted Gibson is a celebrity hairdresser and expert, star of the show What Not to Wear. Born and raised in Texas in a military family, he spent most of his early years in places like Germany, Hawaii and Japan before moving back to the United States.

Back home, he opened what he prides himself with – the best hair salon in New York City. Whether that is true or not, we’ll let you judge by telling you that his clientele includes the likes of Angelina Jolie, Ashley Greene, Renee Zellweger, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway. Ted appeared on Oprah, The Insider, Entertainment Tonight, The Today Show and Good Morning America and also worked with publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, W or Allure and was present at runway shows for Chanel, Prada or Dolce & Gabbana. Given all this, the price tag of $1200 for a haircut seems fair enough.

3. Rossano Ferretti – $1,600

The Italian Rossano Ferretti founded more than 20 salons all over the globe in cities like Madrid, Milan, New York, Paris, London or Mumbai. He had collaborations with L’Oreal for a worldwide tour of seminars about hairdressing.

His artistry, creativity and innovative beauty concepts made him and his Hairspas very well regarded in the world of celebrities, with customers like Angelina Jolie. His prices are matching this superior image he created, going up to $1600.

2. Stuart Phillips – $16,000

Stuart Phillips is regarded as the ‘Best Male Hairdresser in the UK’, award received at the International Achievers Awards 2014/2015. His salon in the Covent Garden is known to be the best in London. Celebrities like Benicio Del Toro, David Hasslehoff, Jamie Oliver and Jean-Claude Van Damme chose him as their personal hairstylist.

The usual haircut costs around $300, but the most special one he gave was that of Italian property developer Beverly Lateo, which included a champagne lunch, head massage, hair products from L’Oreal made specifically for his hair, a private flight and limo services, all that for no less than $16,000. We don’t know if that counts as a haircut at all, but we’ll leave him get away with it.

1. Ken Modestou – $24,000

The British barber Ken Modestou owns a hairstyle salon at the Dorchester hotel of Mayfair, London and charges $60 for a regular haircut. Nothing special so far, right? But the kick is that Ken is the personal hairstylist of the Sultan of Brunei, who pays him an unbelievable $24,000 to give him a haircut.

And that’s not all, since the fee includes a luxury flight on a Singapore airline and opulent hotel accommodation for a couple of nights in the Middle East. Now that’s an expensive haircut. And imagine that Ken Modestou is the Sultan’s personal hairstylist for 16 years already. Who would say no for a gig like that?


William Zeckendorf Jr.

William Zeckendorf Jr. (October 31, 1929 – February 12, 2014) was an American real estate developer. Son of William Zeckendorf Sr., he was the second of three generations of one of New York's great real estate dynasties. While keeping a lower profile than his famously flamboyant father, Zeckendorf Jr. was highly successful in his own right. Like his father, he became known for large-scale projects that transformed neighborhoods.

The New York Times called Zeckendorf Jr. Manhattan's "most active real estate developer" in 1986. At the time he was a partner in 20 projects worth well over $1bn.

Early years
William Zeckendorf Jr. was born on October 31, 1929 in New York City, the son of Irma (née Levy) and William Zeckendorf. Raised in Manhattan, he received his early education at the Collegiate School and graduated from the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, in 1948. He studied for two years at the University of Arizona in Tucson before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served as an intelligence officer during the Korean War. His stepfather was music critic and music historian Irving Kolodin. He had one sister, Susan Zeckendorf Nicholson.

Career
Following his discharge from the army in 1953, Zeckendorf joined his father's company, Webb & Knapp, working alongside Zeckendorf Sr. on such high-profile developments as Century City in Los Angeles, Place Ville-Marie in Montreal, and L'Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C. After Webb & Knapp went bankrupt in 1965, Zeckendorf Jr. restructured the company as General Property Corporation. In 1972, he went out on his own, founding Zeckendorf Company and serving as president until he retired in 1992. In the 1980s, the company emerged as one of New York City's most prominent developers of luxury hotels, upscale condominium apartments, office towers, and mixed-use projects.

In the 1970s, Zeckendorf began buying undervalued hotels, renovating them, and then selling them at a profit. For one hotel, Mayfair House, he persuaded Sirio Maccioni to open Le Cirque, which quickly became one of New York's top restaurants, cementing the restaurateur's reputation. Zeckendorf's other hotel renovations of that era include the Hotel McAlpin, the Statler Hilton, and the Delmonico, where he brought in Christie's Auction House, leasing the English firm their first stateside location, and where and his wife Nancy lived for many years. In the 1980s, Zeckendorf turned from renovations to building major developments from the ground up. Anxious to avoid the financial difficulties of his father, he spread the risk by recruiting multiple partners.

In 1981, Zeckendorf began construction on a 35-story condominium building, The Columbia, at Broadway and West 96th Street in Manhattan, on a site that had been a community garden. This was an unusual location for a residential project, as the area was marginal and most developers at the time hesitated to build more than a few blocks north of Lincoln Center. Initial dissent from the community subsided when the condos went on sale, as most went to middle-class buyers including neighborhood residents, and not, as had been feared, to wealthy people intent on pushing out the locals. The net effect, however, was to upgrade the neighborhood. Zeckendorf told The New York Times, "The Columbia was pivotal because it stabilized the West Side. Until then, there had been an uncertainty about where the area was going ... The Columbia proved that there was a demand for quality construction."

Zeckendorf followed the success of The Columbia with the Park Belvedere, hiring the same architect, Frank Williams, to design the first luxury residential high-rise on Columbus Avenue. One of the early "sliver" buildings, rising 35 stories on a narrow, 12,000 square foot site at the corner of West 79th Street, the Park Belvedere made creative use of air rights to increase the allowable height—a strategy that became a Zeckendorf trademark. Hailed as a pioneer in opening up the Broadway corridor to residential development, Zeckendorf went on to build three more West Side condominiums, the Copley, Central Park Place, and the Alexandria.

Moving downtown, in 1987 Zeckendorf completed Zeckendorf Towers, named after his father. A full-block, mixed-use development at the southeast corner of Union Square, it replaced a number of low-rise buildings that had fallen into disrepair. Zeckendorf was credited with helping revitalize the Union Square area, launching an upsurge of development along Park Avenue South and in the nearby Flatiron District.

In 1989, Zeckendorf finished construction of Worldwide Plaza, on Eighth Avenue between West 49th and 50th Street. His largest project in New York, the mixed-use commercial and residential development sits on a four-acre site formerly occupied by the old Madison Square Garden. After leasing space in the 49-story office tower to blue-chip firms Cravath, Swain & Moore and Ogilvy & Mather, the complex was cited as another pioneering move by Zeckendorf, legitimizing Eighth Avenue as a corporate address. Construction of Worldwide Plaza was documented in a Channel 4 / PBS mini-series and a companion book Skyscraper: The Making of a Building by Karl Sabbagh.

Zeckendorf's other major projects in New York include the Four Seasons hotel, designed by I. M. Pei and Frank Williams; the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Times Square; the Rihga Royal Hotel (now the Hotel London); and Citylights, the first condominium in Queens West, a 74-acre riverfront development in Long Island City. In addition to his West Side apartment towers, Zeckendorf developed residential properties on the Upper East Side, in Midtown East, and in Battery Park City. In all, these projects brought the city of New York more than 4,000 new condominium and rental apartments.

In a rare venture outside of New York, Zeckendorf served as the managing development partner for the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, a 3.1 million square foot complex on the Federal Triangle in Washington, D.C., completed in 1998.

Debt
Zeckendorf's policy of bringing in multiple partners to reduce his risk failed to protect him from major losses after the real estate market downturn in the late 1980s. By 1989, Zeckendorf found himself stranded in debt. When Zeckendorf was unable to renegotiate his debts, he lost his real estate holdings in New York. According to The Wall Street Journal, a habit of personally guaranteeing loans along with giving outside investors a greater share of profits than is customary contributed to Zeckendorf's financial problems.

Peter Model, Zeckendorf's former public relations representative, later said, "Bill Jr. devoted his life to making his father at least halfway whole and vowed never to end up as his father." Nonetheless, Model continued, "he became a mirror image of his father. His father sought publicity. Bill Jr. wasn't after publicity. His father was loud. [William Jr.] was quiet."

Santa Fe
Zeckendorf spent the last 15 years of his life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, having vacationed there for years before that. By the time he relocated, he had been developing properties in Santa Fe for more than a decade. His projects include two luxury hotels, the Eldorado Hotel and the Hotel Santa Fe, and two residential complexes: Los Miradores, condominiums near St. John's College, and the Sierra del Norte subdivision off Hyde Park Road.

Along with his second wife, Nancy King Zeckendorf, a former ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera in New York who also performed with the Santa Fe Opera, Zeckendorf was instrumental in developing the Lensic Performing Arts Center, in a landmarked building erected as a movie theater in the 1930s. Nancy Zeckendorf continues to chair the center's board as a founding director.

Zeckendorf served on the boards of the local hospital, Christus St. Vincent, and the College of Santa Fe, as well as on the executive committee of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Society. In 2011, the Zeckendorfs were named Santa Fe Living Treasures, in recognition of their community service.

Personal life
William Zeckendorf Jr.'s first marriage, to Norwegian Guri Lie, daughter of Trygve Lie, the first Secretary-General of the United Nations, ended in divorce. Their sons, William Lie and Arthur William, are the third generation of Zeckendorfs to become prominent developers. Their properties in Manhattan include luxury condominium towers at 15 Central Park West, 50 United Nations Plaza, and 520 Park Avenue.

Following his father's example, Zeckendorf was a trustee of Long Island University for 37 years, serving as board president from 1984 to 1992. Also like his father a knowledgeable wine collector, Zeckendorf was active for many years in La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, a society of Burgundy connoisseurs.

Zeckendorf died of respiratory failure in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 84.

References

External links
www.18gramercypark.com

Category:1929 births
Category:2014 deaths
Category:20th-century American businesspeople
Category:21st-century American businesspeople
Category:American investors
Category:Jewish American military personnel
Category:American real estate businesspeople
Category:Businesspeople from New York City
Category:Disease-related deaths in New Mexico
Category:Deaths from respiratory failure
Category:People from Manhattan
Category:American army personnel of the Korean War
Category:Collegiate School (New York) alumni
Category:Lawrenceville School alumni
Category:University of Arizona alumni
Category:United States Army officers


Editor’s note: Anthony Bourdain tragically took his own life on June 8, 2018. This story was first published on mensjournal.com on October 2015, and remains here in its original form.

In the cover story for the October 2015 issue of Men’s Journal, contributing editor Josh Eells puts in some quality time in Kuala Lumpur with professional globe-trotter Anthony Bourdain as he shoots for the upcoming season of Parts Unknown. In it, we learn about how Bourdain grew from the arrogant young chef and author of Kitchen Confidential to a man who can appreciate a great hotel. We also see first-hand how Bourdain gets himself immersed in a city. Here, gleaned from the feature story, are rules to follow if you’re looking to experience a place in all its grit and glory, like Bourdain does.

1. Head straight to the central market.

“You see what’s for sale, you see what’s in season, you see the fundamental color palette of a cuisine. You really get a sense of what a culture loves most dear.”

2. Beware the buffet.

“Stay away from the hotel buffet. It’s the food that has the most number of hands on it and the least amount of love given to it. It’s for a transient audience — they know you won’t be there when you’re shitting like a mink, so why should they care? Also the hotel buffet is ethically a crime. If you’re eating spaghetti Bolognese in Chiang Mai, there’s something wrong with you.

3. Don’t worry about capturing the moment.

When Bourdain explores a city, he needs to record his movements for television, but he strives to keep the authenticity of the place. “I’ve said a million times that I’d rather miss the shot than disturb the mojo. If you’re stopping people to move a light, it fucks up the dynamic and the spontaneity.”

4. Get your workout in early.

Every morning, Bourdain makes sure to get in a bout of jujitsu, which he credits for having helped shed 30 pounds and kicking his two-pack-a-day cigarette habit. “You get your ass kicked, spend the day thinking about it, then go back the next day to see if you figured anything out.”

5. The hotel is key.

“I’m a whore for the Chateau Marmont. I will do all sorts of terrible things so I can stay in that hotel. Hazzlit’s in London is quirky and wonderful. I love any majestic old colonial hotel in Asia or Africa left behind by the French of the Brits — the Metropole in Hanoi, the Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Angkor Wat, the Continental in Tangier. If Graham Greene stayed there, chances are I’ll like it.”

6. Watch your hands.

“I always go out of my way to be briefed on offensive gestures in a country. We learned that lesson a long time ago. Nobody on our crew does ‘A-OK’ anymore — early on, our cameraman Todd was relentless at it, until finally I was like, ‘You do understand that you’re asking if they’ll ass-fuck you, right?'”

7. Seek out quality commodes.

“We talk about bathrooms a lot. Good plumbing is something you hold dear, because it’s few and far between. The best toilets are in Japan — any old-school ryokan with the deep tub, or the toilet that plays Guns N’ Roses. And the worst would have to be Harbin, in China, in the winter. It’s freezing cold, and you go in there and it’s two slats and a deep trench and a 25-foot frozen stalagmite of shit. Just an Everest-size mount of shit in the hole. Mother of God.”

8. Savor the moment.

“My happiest moments on the show are when we’ve finished shooting, maybe had a couple drinks or a joint and say, ‘Wow — who gets to do this?'”

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!


Chill the glass, then coat the inside with the Bitters. Add the gin very well chilled, garnish and serve.

Notes

The traditional garnish is a shave of lemon rind. You can obtain this by removing about an inch strip of lemon rind with a potato peeler.

Pink Gin is a cocktail made fashionable in England in the mid-19th century, consisting of Plymouth gin[1] and a dash of Angostura bitters, a dark red bitters that makes the whole drink pinkish. Lemon rind is also commonly used as a garnish, with the citrus oils subtly complementing the flavour.

Contents

Pink gin is widely thought to have been created by members of the Royal Navy. Plymouth gin is a 'sweet' gin, as opposed to London gin which is 'dry', and was added to Angostura bitters to make the consumption of Angostura bitters more enjoyable[2] as they were used as a treatment for sea sickness in 1824 by Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert.[3]

The British Royal Navy then brought the idea for the drink to bars in England,[4] where this method of serving was first noted on the mainland. By the 1870s, gin was becoming increasingly popular and many of the finer establishments in England were serving Pink Gin.[5]

Though there are no major variations of pink gin, many bartenders vary the amount of angostura bitters used. Typically the drink is topped up with iced water, rarely without water.

A bartender may ask the customer whether he wants it "in or out", upon which the bartender swirls the angostura bitters around the glass before either leaving it in, or pouring it out (leaving only a residue), and then adding the gin.

It is also common for pink gin to be served as 'pink gin and tonic', typically consisting of 4 dashes of angostura bitters and 2 shots of gin, which is then topped up with tonic water. This is served in a highball glass over ice, and then can be garnished with lemon.[6]

Cedric Charles Dickens (great-grandson of Charles Dickens) records in Drinking With Dickens that a 'Burnt Pink Gin' consists of 1 tsp Angostura burnt by heating over a flame and then poured into "a large tot dry gin".[7]

In the 1953 film adaptation of Nicholas Monsarrat's book, The Cruel Sea, Lockhart (Donald Sinden) meets Ericson (Jack Hawkins) at a London hotel where they both drink pink gin. In a somewhat rewritten scene in the BBC Radio 4 Extra adaptation of 2013, the pair drink gin and tonic.


New Year, New You, New Food

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Ryan Lamont

Blink and you might miss the latest culinary trend. When it comes to the food industry, things move quicker than a busy bus boy. By the time you’ve downed the last sip of your Matcha latte, it’s old news and a new “in” drink has taken its place. As Chelsea Ritschel states in a recent article for Independent, “Predicting the next big thing is an inexact science; it could be triggered by a viral Instagram post, a throwaway comment by a chef, or emerge organically from changing tastes.”

With that said, now that the holiday season is upon us, it’s time to put 2017 in the rearview mirror and look ahead to food trends for 2018. Below are three particularly interesting trends curated from seasoned experts, running the gamut from the rise of floral flavors and mocktails to the influence of teas and plant-based recipes.

According to experts at BBC, 2018 will signal the rise of non-alcoholic specialty beverages. As Victoria Moore explains in a recent article in BBC’sGood Food, booze-free beverages have never been trendier, with top-tier mixologists glomming onto the trend. “Mr. Lyan’s award-winning bar list at Dandelyan at the Mondrian Hotel, London includes exotic creations such as Wild Thing, made with Seedlip, ylang-ylang and herbal tonic,” Moore writes. Seedlip is a transparent liquid closely resembling all-spice. Marketing itself as the world’s first distilled, non-alcoholic spirit, Seedlip gained instant popularity in 2017 and sold out within three weeks of launching.

…And It’ll Be Replaced by Botanicals

Additionally, botanicals such as rose and lavender will fill drinks for health-conscious drinkers looking to steer clear of booze. According to the Whole Foods Market’s top food trends for 2018, floral flavors could dethrone the pumpkin spice trend. “Look for flowers used like herbs in things like lavender lattés and rose-flavored everything. Bright pink hibiscus teas are a hot (and iced) part of the trend, while elderflower is the new MVP (most valuable petal) of cocktails and bubbly drinks.”

Green (Tea) is the New Black (Coffee)

Speaking of drinks, is tea on its way to usurping coffee as beverage royalty? According to the stats, maybe. Sales of herbal and green tea, in particular, continue to rise for consumption at home, and it’s likely that the tea “bars” we see popping up around town will become more and more commonplace.

And let’s not forget Matcha, a type of green tea that has gained social media fame for its bright hue. It’s no longer just a fancy addition to a morning latte – people are now blending it into smoothies and adding it to desserts. Matcha can help boost your energy, making it a great alternative to your daily cup of joe, explains Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., R.D., a NYC-based sports nutritionist in a recent Men’s Health article, titled “Matcha Tea Is Everywhere – But Is It Actually Good for You?” While it doesn’t contain even half as much caffeine as coffee (one 8-ounce cup of Matcha contains about 70 mg, while 8 ounces of coffee contains nearly 170 mg), Matcha contains an all-natural ingredient called l-theanine, which can lead to a feeling of sustained and healthy alertness, according to Sass. “Compared to the caffeine buzz from coffee, Matcha drinkers experience an ‘alert calm,’ that produces feelings of relaxation rather than drowsiness,” she explains.

Move over, coffee. It’s time to make room for tea (in all its bright green glory).

When the Power of Plants Meets Technology

Libations aren’t the only thing evolving. As chefs nationwide continue to embrace ingredients such as tofu, tempeh and quinoa, veganism is on the rise. And, as plant-based dishes continue to gain prevalence in today’s food scene, the tech industry has joined the party. By using technology and science to replicate plant-based ingredients, chefs are putting incredibly innovative and forward-thinking dishes on the table, including “bleeding” vegan burgers and sushi-grade “not-tuna” made from tomatoes.

The intersection of food and technology has resulted in the rise of some nut milks and yogurts made from pili nuts, peas, bananas, macadamia nuts and pecans. According to Whole Foods’ panel of experts, “Dairy-free indulgences like vegan frosting, brownies, ice cream, brioche and crème brulée are getting so delicious, non-vegans won’t know the difference – or they might choose them anyway!”

So, What Does This Mean for Us?

As PR pros in the Food + Beverage industry, it’s imperative we stay on top of today’s cutting-edge trends. Whether developing recipes, vetting chef spokespeople or sampling dishes at a trade show or large-scale event, we must have a keen awareness of today’s culinary scene in order to make the best recommendation to and for our client(s). When writing pitches, knowing today’s hot topics helps give our stories a sense of immediacy and timeliness. After all, how can we insert our clients into the conversation when we don’t know what’s being discussed?


FILE PHOTO: Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, who were formally accused of attempting to murder former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, are seen in an image handed out by the Metropolitan Police in London

MOSCOW - Reuters

Russians in UK spy case say they wanted to see cathedral; Britain calls it 'lies'

Two Russians resembling men Britain accuses of jetting to England to try to murder a former spy said on Thursday that they were innocent tourists who had flown to London for fun and visited the city of Salisbury to see its cathedral.

Britain said it was clear the two men, who appeared on Russia's state-funded RT television station, were agents of Russia's GRU military intelligence who carried out the attack, and called their interview an example of "obfuscation and lies".

The duo, who appeared acutely ill at ease, identified themselves as Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, the names British prosecutors said were used by the poisoners. They said they had fallen victim to a "fantastical fatal coincidence".

Britain has charged the two men with attempting to murder former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia by spraying a chemical weapon on Skripal's door in March.

The Skripals and a police officer fell seriously ill. A woman in a nearby town later died after her partner brought home a discarded counterfeit perfume bottle containing the poison.

The two men, both wearing blue jumpers, said they ran a sports nutrition business and that their lives had become a nightmare since London charged them with attempted murder after what they said was an innocent three-day trip to Britain.

"Our friends had been suggesting for a long time that we visit this wonderful town," Petrov said of Salisbury.

"There's the famous Salisbury cathedral. It's famous not only in Europe, but in the whole world. It's famous for its 123 metre-spire. It's famous for its clock, one of the first ever created in the world that's still working," added Boshirov reeling off facts that closely resembled those laid out in a Russian-language Wikipedia entry about Salisbury.

Asked about the interview, a British government spokeswoman said: "The government is clear these men are officers of the Russian military intelligence service - the GRU - who used a devastatingly toxic, illegal chemical weapon on the streets of our country."

"We have repeatedly asked Russia to account for what happened in Salisbury in March. Today - just as we have seen throughout - they have responded with obfuscation and lies."

A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said the interview was "an insult to the public's intelligence" and "deeply offensive" to the victims of the attack.

Britain and dozens of other countries have kicked out scores of Russian diplomats over the incident, and Moscow has responded tit-for-tat in the biggest East-West wave of expulsions since the Cold War. The affair has worsened Russian relations with the West, already under strain over Ukraine, Syria and other issues.

According to British police, the two men arrived in London on March 2, a Friday, and spent two nights in an east London hotel. They visited Salisbury twice by train on day trips - on the Saturday for reconnaissance and on the Sunday to poison Skripal. They then went straight to the airport and flew home, hours after the Skripals were found unconscious on a bench.

LEISURE BREAK

Petrov said he and Boshirov had flown to London for a short leisure break, with Salisbury always intended as a day trip.

"From the very start we planned to go to London and, put bluntly, cut loose and have some fun," he said in the interview which was pre-recorded on Wednesday and broadcast on Thursday.

Boshirov said the two men were innocent and denied they had carried the Novichok nerve agent used in the attack. He laughed off as "silly" the idea that they would have carried a women's perfume bottle. They may have approached Sergei Skripal's house by chance, but did not know where it was located, they said.

Their interviewer did not ask them to account for Novichok traces which British police said were found in their hotel room.

The reason their first visit to Salisbury was so brief was because they had been forced to cut it short due to snow, they said. They then decided to return the next day.

The two men said they were tired and frightened by the impact of the Skripal case on their lives and made a plea to be left in peace.

At one point their interviewer turned on an air conditioning unit because she noted they were sweating.

"I'm frightened, I'm scared. I don't know what to expect tomorrow," said Boshirov. "We simply wish to be left alone."

The two men surfaced a day after President Vladimir Putin said Russia had located Petrov and Boshirov, but that there was nothing special or criminal about them. He expressed hope they would come forward and speak publicly.

Ben Nimmo, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, called the interview "a piece of political theatre".

"It could be a way of signalling defiance to the UK government, effectively saying, 'There’s nothing you can do about this'," he said.

A European arrest warrant has been issued for the two suspects, but British prosecutors say they will not ask Moscow to extradite Russian citizens because Russia's constitution forbids it.

The Skripal case has been likened by British politicians to the murder of Russian dissident ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned with a rare radioactive isotope in a London hotel in 2006. Britain charged two Russians with his murder but both remain in Russia, and one later won a seat in parliament.

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Riyadh Daily, published by the Al-Yamamah Press Establishment, is the first English daily published from the Saudi capital. Along with its sister publication, Al-Riyadh Arabic newspaper, Riyadh Daily has a long history in the Kingdom’s media industry. It was first published as a newsletter in the 1960s before it was developed into a broadsheet in 1985.