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Hong Kong will issue vouchers worth HK$5,000 ($637) per person to all adults this year, half the amount issued in 2022. Hong Kong usually runs balanced budgets or surpluses, since its pegged currency system commits it to fiscal prudence. "HAPPY" HONG KONG? He also said a "Happy Hong Kong" campaign would be launched for the general public, including gourmet food fairs and harbourfront carnivals that would help stimulate consumption. ($1 = 7.8488 Hong Kong dollars)Additional reporting by Jessie Pang; Writing by Marius Zaharia and James Pomfret; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Superyacht chef says life at sea serving the uber-rich is far from glamorous — from 'boat bites' and grueling 18-hour days to a guest who asked to 'heat the Adriatic'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Former yacht chef Melanie White revealed what it's like to work at sea in a tell-all book. "We dwell on the threshold of the rich and famous," White wrote in a tell-all book about the industry that was released in October. Courtesy of Melanie WhiteIn the book, White breaks down the often grueling experience, which included working 18-hour days cleaning bathrooms and guest quarters. In the book, White compared her role to that of a fairy, magically and nearly invisibly doing tasks to please guests. Courtesy of Melanie White"The success of a business or boat lives and dies with the compatibility of the employees," White wrote.

☆ This 52-year-old early retiree left the U.S. for Portugal—a look at his typical weekend: 'I spend less than $40'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Alex Trias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

On weekends when I'm out and about, I spend less than $40 a day:Start the day with coffee and breakfastPrice per person: $6.31 Lisbon is paradise for breakfast lovers. Take a train to the seashore and rent bikesPrice per person: $11.34 A one-hour train ride from Lisbon's historic Cais do Sodré station to the fishing village of Cascais costs $4.92 (round trip). We like to stop by on weekends, and it is conveniently located on the train ride back from Cascais. Our daughter loves bargain hunting at the Feira da Ladra, a popular flea market located within the Alfama district of Lisbon. Photo: Alex TriasI also enjoy the weekend flea market in Principé Real, where you'll find plenty of delicious artisanal honey, cheese and cured sausages.

How to earn Southwest pointsCompare Southwest credit cards Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardSouthwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit CardSouthwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Transfer points from Diners Club or hotel loyalty programsDiners Club members can also transfer Club Rewards points to Southwest — 1,500 Club Rewards points, for instance, would convert to 1,200 Southwest points. It's also possible to redeem points earned through participating hotel loyalty programs if you'd rather put them toward flights than hotel stays, though redemption rates are pretty low:5,000 Best Western Rewards points = 1,200 Southwest points6,000 Choice Privileges points = 1,800 Southwest points2,000 Radisson Rewards America points = 200 Southwest points50,000 Radisson Rewards America points = 5,000 Southwest points100,000 Radisson Rewards America points = 10,000 Southwest points9,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 3,000 Southwest points30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 10,000 Southwest points60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 20,000 Southwest points90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 30,000 Southwest points120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 40,000 Southwest points5,000 World of Hyatt points = 2,400 Southwest points50,000 World of Hyatt points = 24,000 Southwest pointsNote that World of Hyatt throws in an additional 6,000 Southwest points as long as you're a member, while Marriott Bonvoy adds 5,000 Southwest points for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. For instance, a $220 Business Select fare would yield 2,640 Southwest points, while a $200 Anytime ticket would yield 2,000 Southwest points, and a $100 Wanna Get Away ticket would yield 600 Southwest points. Earn Southwest points by taking online surveysYou can earn points by taking online surveys through E-Rewards — $15 worth of E-Rewards yields 300 Southwest points, $25 worth of E-Rewards yields 600 Southwest points, $50 worth of E-Rewards yields 1,200 Southwest points, and $100 worth of E-Rewards yields 2,400 Southwest points.

☆ Their Super Bowl game plan: Rescue leftover food and serve it to those in need
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Regina Anderson, executive director of Food Recovery Network, is coordinating a campaign to rescue leftover food on game day. The Super Bowl is as much an annual food event as it is the biggest sporting event of the year. But while food is an essential part of Super Bowl celebrations, food wastage doesn’t have to be. In 2020, just before the United States was plunged into a pandemic, FRN did just that by organizing its first Super Bowl food rescue effort. Food Recovery Network collected close to 2,000 pounds of leftover food from the Players Tailgate Event at last year's Super Bowl in Los Angeles.

“It was gorgeous, and I was so not expecting it,” said Darion Lowenstein, 41, a video game consultant, who is gay. Though Bill’s role in the game is small, and his mention of being gay brief, it did not go unnoticed by LGBTQ gamers like Bonatsakis. Roughly 10% of gamers are LGBTQ, according to a 2020 survey by Nielsen. And for many of these queer gamers, Durkee said, video games are a lifeline. She said character customization in games such as “The Sims” and “World of Warcraft” can empower queer gamers to express their identity in ways that traditional media cannot.

☆ Barry Callebaut sales volumes fall 5% during its first quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Barry Callebaut (BARN.S) sales volumes fell 5.1% in the three months to the end of November, the world's largest chocolate maker said on Wednesday, as it was hit by lower output at its biggest factory. Volumes fell to 579,000 tonnes from 610,000 tonnes a year earlier, said the company whose products are used by food makers including Nestle (NESN.S) and Unilever . Volumes fell as the Swiss company started ramping up production again at its Wieze factory in Belgium, which was hit by a health scare last year. Sales revenue increased by 3.8% to 2.1 billion Swiss francs ($2.28 billion), as the company passed on raw material price increases the company said. ($1 = 0.9229 Swiss francs)Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Noele Illien Editing by Paul CarrelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ I quit teaching after 20 years to open an ice-pop franchise. I make $150,000 more a year and work fewer hours.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Claire Turrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

She now owns the rights to sell Frios gourmet ice pops at $4 each in parts of Georgia. At the end of that summer, I took a trip to the Frios gourmet ice-pop store she told me about. I used my savings to buy the Frios territory for my townFrios ice pops. I also bought a refrigerated cart and 1,000 ice pops that I stored in a new freezer I bought for my home. I opened my second Frios store on May 7, 2022, in Auburn, Alabama, which my sister now runs.

☆ The gourmet food scene in the UAE is taking on the likes of Paris, New York and London
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Emma Procter | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — While the economic outlook for much of the world is predicted to be rocky over 2023, in the Gulf there's a buoyant mood. This is especially true for the United Arab Emirates, with the country's economy growing by more than 6% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. For a few nights only, well-heeled guests sampled creations such as pan-fried squid with black garlic, Paris mushrooms and rocket. Michelin chiefs agree, saying that the UAE is now on par with the big global gourmet destinations such as Paris, New York, Singapore, and London. "We would say the restaurants in the Michelin Guide selection in the UAE are equal to the big cities."

☆ A TikTok creator’s homemade pickled products have sparked online conversation surrounding food safety
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Brahmjot Kaur | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

A TikTok creator’s recent apology after people accused her of improperly packaging her homemade pickled products before selling them online has sparked discourse surrounding influencers and whether they should be allowed to promote and sell homemade food items on the app. Britanny Saunier, executive director of the nonprofit organization Partnership for Food Safety EducationSocial media creates "enthusiasm" around homemade products, said Britanny Saunier, the executive director of the nonprofit organization Partnership for Food Safety Education. The backlash toward PickleMeEverything’s products comes several months after another viral product raised eyebrows over similar food safety fears. He said he’s concerned about the growing number of TikTokers who don’t know or use food safety while promoting food products. Food Science Babe pointed out in her video that several popular creators had promoted PickleMeEverything’s products.

☆ Best Nonstick Frying Pans From Consumer Reports' Tests
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Mary H.J. Farrell | Consumer Reports | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

When it comes to cookware, there’s nothing as useful as a good nonstick frying pan. Below are the best nonstick frying pans from our tests, listed in alphabetical order. CR’s take: You really can’t go wrong with the Anolon Advanced Nonstick frying pans; there are two in this set, a 10-inch and a 12-inch. And like the set it comes with, the GreenPan Padova frying pan stands out in our list of nonstick cookware. CR’s take: This nonstick frying pan comes from a brand known more for its colorful cast-iron cookware.

☆ UBS: Buy this global confectionary stock which is poised to rise 36% from here
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's time to snap up shares of Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut despite a slowdown in the global confectionery market, according to UBS. The Swiss investment bank has a buy rating on the stock and raised its 12-month price target to 2,500 Swiss francs ($2,692). UBS is not the only investment bank expecting this stock to rise. The median price target of 7 analysts, not including UBS, gives the stock a 23.4% upside from its current share price. Barry Callebaut is accessible to U.S. investors through its ADR ticker BRRLY.

☆ What do hotel 'star' ratings really mean? Here's a breakdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

And to add to the confusion, Frommer's website states its star ratings only go from one ("recommended") to three stars ("exceptional"). The non-profit organization Hotelstars Union uses common criteria to unify star ratings across Europe. A project called "World Hotel Rating" was meant to standardize hotel ratings around the world. What do star ratings mean? Secondly, a true five-star hotel must employ people who understand that "everything revolves around the guest," he said.

☆ Teenage walruses dine on gourmet mussels at new home in U.S. zoo
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Matt Mcknight | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TACOMA, Wash., Dec 8 (Reuters) - A pair of adolescent walruses are settling into their new home at a zoo in Tacoma, Washington, feasting on restaurant-quality mussels and clams. They are now at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium after an international trip via cargo plane and trucks from the Aquarium du Quebec in Canada. There are only 14 walruses, which are considered vulnerable but not endangered, in human care throughout the United States. [1/4] Six-year-old walruses Balzak and Lakina swim inside the exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, U.S., November 17, 2022. Katie Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Handout via REUTERS 1 2 3 4“Their tusks lack enamel or have very little enamel.

☆ Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut boosts investment in Canadian factory
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ZURICH, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut (BARN.S) is investing $70 million at one of its factories in Canada, the company said on Wednesday, its latest move to expand production in North America. The world's biggest maker of chocolate will add more liquid chocolate and molding production lines at its site in Chatham, Ontario and also improve production of dairy-free chocolate compounds which are used by food makers in desserts, ice cream and confectionery. Barry Callebaut's sales in the Americas increased by 6.4% during its last financial year, outpacing the overall market, which increased by 0.7%. Earlier this year Zurich-based Barry Callebaut said it was spending $104 million to build a new factory in Brantford, Ontario, to produce sugar-free chocolate and other speciality products. Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Michael ShieldsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ ‘Cookies So Good We’re Being Sued.’ Welcome to Utah’s Bakery Wars
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( James Fanelli | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Utah is big business for the dessert trade, with many residents favoring sweets and soda shops to a bar or cafe. It is also home to a legal battle over the state’s latest craving, gourmet cookies, a food fight that has turned uglier than a burned batch of snickerdoodles. Dubbed #UtahCookieWars on social media, intellectual-property litigation between two cookie chains has spilled into the public square.

☆ Superyacht chef shows life at sea serving the world's richest is far from glamorous — from grueling 18-hour days to a guest who asked to 'heat the Adriatic'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Former yacht chef Melanie White revealed what it's like to work at sea in her new tell-all book. Melanie White working on a superyacht. Courtesy of Melanie WhiteIn the book, White details the often grueling experience, which included working 18-hour days cleaning bathrooms and guest quarters. In the book, White compared her role to that of a fairy, magically and nearly invisibly doing tasks to please guests. Courtesy of Melanie White"The success of a business or boat lives and dies with the compatibility of the employees," White wrote.

We usually see tons of deals on small appliances during the shopping holiday, including the crowning jewel: the KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Aside from Prime Day, this is the best time of year to purchase a KitchenAid mixer. Black Friday KitchenAid deals: Top discountsKitchenAid: Up to $200 off stand mixers, $50 off attachments, and $120 off other small appliances. Best Black Friday KitchenAid mixer dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Deal KitchenAid 5-quart Artisan Series Stand Mixer, with Fresh Prep Attachment Bundle One of the best deals we've seen on KitchenAid stand mixers is this bundle, which combines a 5 quart Artisan mixer with food processing attachments.

☆ Superyacht rentals, private jets and a soccer-themed hotel: Dubai is cashing in on the Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A yacht that can be rented to watch the World Cup while sailing around Dubai is docked in Dubai harbor on November 1, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, in August called Dubai "the major gateway" to the World Cup and predicted it would see more tourists than Qatar itself. Getty Images | A general view of the West Bay area ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at on November 18, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. "Its tourism infrastructure and straightforward entry requirements make it a convenient base for World Cup fans." Dubai, meanwhile, as a city has more than 140,000 hotel rooms, according to hotel data firm STR.

☆ The most — and least — expensive states to own a dog
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Loving a dog may not cost you anything, but feeding, entertaining, accessorizing and taking your dog to the vet can add up quickly. In the Unites States, new dog owners pay around $1,750 per year caring for their canines, a recent study from Pettable found. There are plenty of variable expenses that come with owning a dog that budget-conscious pet lovers can skip (does your dog really need gourmet human-grade food?). The least expensive states to own a dogTo estimate the typical cost to own a dog, Pettable collected data on how much the basic needs cost during your first year of dog ownership. The most expensive states to own a dog

☆ I tried gourmet food only available on private jets from one charter company and I see why the luxurious flights costs thousands of dollar
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

According to Qi, any meals served on VistaJet planes are received from the restaurant or vendor on either the day of or the night before to keep the food as fresh as possible. People waiting in line for Nobu in London. Mark Robert Milan/Getty Images

Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.99% - 26.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Read more: United Explorer card reviewCredit cards with airport lounge access frequently asked questions (FAQ)What are the Centurion Lounge locations? The Platinum Card® from American Express is the all-around best credit card for airport lounge access. Joseph Hostetler, CEPF Credit cards reporter Joseph Hostetler is a credit cards reporter for Insider who also covers helpful miles and points tricks.

☆ How Hurricane Sandy transformed the Jersey Shore into 'a playground for the rich'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Zoe Rosenberg | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Jersey Shore residents battled through a patchwork of programs to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. Even 10 years after Hurricane Sandy, Barbara is still reminded daily of the mental and financial toll it took on her. Courtesy of BarbaraThe bureaucratic red tape around flood insurance and rebuild programs linked to Hurricane Sandy deepened the divide between the haves and have-nots of the Jersey Shore. Milliman, an actuarial company that works with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, found that about 47% of coastal dwellers had flood insurance, The Inquirer reported. "After Sandy, there was a lot more money coming in," Mery, who has built Jersey Shore homes for 15 years, told Insider.

☆ Burger King's owner just opened a delivery-focused food hall where customers can order from Popeyes, Firehouse Subs, and other chains. The company is one of many expanding the ghost kitchen model to r
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Burger King's owner recently opened its first ghost kitchen, or digital food hall, in Miami. And recently, the parent of Burger King, Restaurant Brands International, opened its first ghost kitchen in Miami. Wonder is part ghost kitchen, part food delivery van, part meal-kit provider. These ghost kitchens on wheels, outfitted with cooking equipment and chefs, can be hailed through an app. The company, which ended its partnership with Miami-based Reef Technology this year, is not labeling the facility as a ghost kitchen.

☆ Joan E. Lappin Made Mark on Wall Street When Women Were Scarce
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( James R. Hagerty | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

‘To be a successful portfolio manager you have to have an ego the size of a house,’ said Joan E. Lappin. Joan Berger, later known by her married name of Joan E. Lappin, was a rarity in the late 1960s as a female investment analyst in New York. Her employer, Equity Research Associates Inc., tried to exploit that novelty with a 1969 ad in Institutional Investor magazine. “What’s a nice girl like Joan doing on Broad Street?” the ad asked. A phone number was provided for money managers wishing to meet her.

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