Mama Cooks ... also in Your Serviced Apartment
Mama Stove, a food supplier for quick, healthy meals in a snack box, was the winner of the 2018 SO!APART innovation pitch Flamingo's Nest. We talked to Managing Director Nikolaj de Lousanoff about his entry into the segment, the “kitchen USP” of the serviced apartments and a new compostable packaging.
Mr de Lousanoff, last year you quickly convinced the jury and the conference participants at the Flamingo’s Nest. What were the follow-up outcomes for you?
The reactions immediately after the pitch were very positive. I came into contact with 15 to 20 interested companies and we exchanged business cards. Following SO!APART, there were further inquiries from various serviced apartment operators who wanted to discuss information and a possible introduction from Mama Stove.
What experience have you had so far with your product in the serviced apartment segment? What further potential do you see, also in comparison to the classic hotel business?
The serviced apartment segment offers an exciting sales channel for our products. In particular, the fact that the apartments are equipped with their own kitchen is a perfect prerequisite for preparing Mama Stove's dishes quickly and easily. The sale to the guests takes place either directly at the reception or via e-mail order form. We currently offer Mama Stove, or are planning to introduce it, in Citadines, Living Hotels, SMARTments Business, Adina Apartment Hotels, iPartment, Visionapartments and Brera Serviced Apartments. We see further potential compared to the classic hotel industry in the integration of digital services, for example through automated vending machines, innovative ordering tools via apps and tablets in the apartments, etc. Ultimately, the high number of kitchens within the building in serviced apartments offers a much higher potential of sold and prepared meals per day than in a hotel where only at the bar or via the room service Mama Stove meals are sold to the guest.
How has your product evolved since the Flamingo’s Nest pitch?
We now use a new, sustainable packaging made from compostable BIOPAP material and have a higher initial weight of around 15 to 20 percent. In addition, we have developed a separate partner login for reseller customers in the serviced apartment segment and in the hotel industry, which works with customized conditions. And finally, our portfolio has grown, with more variations in the dishes, including vegan options and desserts. We are launching a new product line at the end of the year.
Thank you very much.
Interview by Sylvie Konzack
<link file:7239 _blank internal link in current>Link to the application documents 2019
(available until 20 September 2019)