The latest habit for British models is cake sniffing. To maintain their slim silhouette they sit at bars and restaurants, order their favorite cakes but simply smell it. The person who reveals this phenomenon prefers to stay anonymous but says it is more “sick yet fascinating” than the more ‘normal’ anorexia.

The Heart Attack Grill, in Phoenix, Arizona, is the most outrageous, politically-incorrect burger joint on this planet – and proudly and deliciously so. There is nothing but burgers – named after bypass surgeries, according to their prodigious sizes and stupendous caloric content - real fries, and “heavy” soft drinks. The waitresses are unashamedly sexy, dress in naughty nurses costumes and carry out mock “checks” on their “patients” before, during and after they’ve eaten, in order to see if they’re up to it. But it’s all done and taken in good humour and whole families enjoy frequenting it.
The creator and owner of this temple of excess is a doctor and a former nutritionist at that, who some 4 years ago simply gave up on trying to make people stick to this or that diet and decided to give them as good a time as can be had on the burger front, even if it may be a short one for some. 

Think natural materials (often organically produced), loose silhouettes and earth toned colours. Environment friendly produced fashion reaches in 2010 the level where it becomes stylish. Brands like Kohzo denim, Howies, and Kuyichi are (all in different ways) just as sexy as their lesser conscious competitors. The last hurdle these New Eco labels have to take in order to truly reach the masses, is that they have to work on True Transparency. Just claiming environmentally friendliness is not enough. You have to tell where the clothing ingredients come from and how they are produced.  This is not only a positioning necessity but could be seen as the heart of a new lifestyle: Honest, true and connected to the best of nature & the land.  In real life ‘urban farming’ is one of the most outstanding manifestations of this trend, being self-sustaining and gaining control back over our food production is ‘folkish’ but in fashion too. It all stimulates cool stories – for the right brands to tap in to. The New Eco never looked so good!

Kogi is probably the best-known Twitter-based business in Los Angeles. It is a mobile restaurant serving Korean BBQ tacos. Kogi broadcasts its upcoming stops via Twitter and regularly draws crowds of up to an hour to sample the day’s featured morsels, from standards like spicy pork and short ribs to octopus and — of course, we’re in LA — tofu.

In coöperation with Albert Boswijk: The French region of Limoux boasts many medieval clock towers ( “clochers”). Some are famous, others modest or even tiny. Many of them exist in a deteriorated state. In order to reconstruct or redecorate them every year a very special event is organized in which celebrity cooks (“tocques”) prepare delicious meals and wine tasting after which an auction follows of the region’s most magnificent wines. The bottles come in limited editions – because they are the best – and are named after the clock tower (“clochers”) the event is sponsoring (“clocher de Gaya”, “clocher de Touvrelais”, for instance.)

Kazakhstan has everything imaginable, but you will not see many fast food outlets here. No McDonald’s, apart from the new Shopping Centers in urban areas. They’re not bad, but they simply are not that successful. Why is that, given that Kazakhstanis are ready to embrace and pay for most Western trends with gusto? First of all, eating here is taken very seriously, and quality matters: quality ingredients and quality time. For Kazakhstanis every meal, however brief or frugal, must be an occasion. And there are really satisfying alternatives for western fast food. First, there are the “Rotisserie” sections at supermarkets, providing families with a range of pre-cooked dishes from a simple starter to the most complex main course to salads, desserts, breads etc – local and international alike. Take it home, heat it and enjoy it almost as if it had been prepared in the traditional way. Second, there are the “El Patio” -”Planet Sushi” - “American Bar Grill” chain of restaurants, offering reasonably priced diversity with service, ingredients preparation and atmosphere that has become a “hang-out place” of choice with youngsters and families alike. There one will find quality Italian, Japanese and American food.

Fritz-Kola comes in a recyclable glass bottle – no plastics, please - and contains the highest amount of caffeine of all Cola’s around. It’s from cradle to cradle sustainable. Fritz-Cola has started with distribution in over a 100 Bars, Clubs, Cafes, cinemas and small shops. It took some time to take off but now it is very popular in Northern Germany. Another German drink is taking over the world right now: Bionade. Worldwide, Bionade is the first and only non-alcoholic refreshment drink produced by a purely organic process – through the fermentation of natural raw materials of organic quality. For wellness and fitness. 

The Pond is a short-term pop-up bar that has been purpose-built to burn bright & die young in Melbourne – it has a lifespan of only 12 weeks and after closing in Australia’s coolest city it will be transported to Sydney for another limited period of time. The Pond is funded by an Australian low-carb and preservative free beer called Pure Blonde (the name of the venue is made by selecting some of the letters from Pure Blonde). An ugly and derelict urban space has been transformed into an eco-friendly drinking eutopia, including recycled plant pots that were swapped for pots (glasses) of beer, certified plantation pine furniture and it even has an entry courtyard featuring six massive silver birch trees found lying under-utilised on an old golfing estate. The product selection at the bar also reflects the message of purity – only white beverages are available and it all closes at 10PM so that people don’t wake up cursing Pure Blonde for a big night out!