Food Tool for the Week
by Chef Rob Corliss of FoodIQ.
This week finds me wanting to reflect and write about something I find quite intriguing, with its continuous marketing evolution and commanding presence. Water: we all need it to sustain life; we cook with it, wash with it and sip it; some just more expensively, inquisitively and acutely than others.
Most of us don’t give water much thought. Sure, we see the various selections in our hotel room, grocery stores and restaurant visits, but have we truly experienced water at its pinnacle? I was in the same mindset, until viewing a web video featuring the eclectic café and water bar Via Genova in West Chester New York.
Via Genova is the proud home of 80 waters and has been generating east coast “foodie and non-foodie” buzz from its diverse offerings and featured $55 bottle of water called Bling H2O. That’s right, two 5’s and less than 1 liter. This water comes in a frosted bottle sparkling with Swarovski crystals (choose from gold or blue). The ritzy refreshment is bottled at a Tennessee spring and purified in a nine-step process that includes ozone, ultraviolet treatment and micro-filtration. By the way, this is not even their most elite water offering.
The attention to detail and passion for the water selection is outstanding. Here is a quick Via Genova recap:
- They offer waters from around the world, which resonate with multiple cultures and tastes.
- All of the waters have natural purity and reflect new and ancient offerings.
- Selections (by the bottle or case) include glass, plastic, still, sparkling and naturally carbonated.
- Water varieties may include 10,000 BC, volcanic water, glacial water, oxygen rich “baby” water, medicinal spa waters and the preferred water of the Hollywood stars.
- 10,000 BC comes in a corked, foil wrapped glass bottle – like a fine wine.
- Water consultation appointments, anyone? Water experts are available for wedding and event planning.
- They pair their food menu with the luxury waters (even water with salad). Water paired with food…now that touches a chef’s heart.
- The water bottles look more like collector’s items.
- They have been featured on Yahoo, ABC and will be on NBC and Forbes to name a few.
- They recommend keeping your water out of sunlight and serving it at 55°F.
- Interesting to note is that NO water is ever served with ice, as this would ruin it and be blasphemous!
Who knew water had such a rich history? This is hydration at its finest.
More food for thought.
Last year, Americans spent more on bottled water than on iPods and movie tickets. That equates to a whopping $15 billion.
Food IQ is a Marlin strategic partner that understands consumer consumption influencers and applies them to make your business future ready.
