Earlier in the fall, it was Nerdist‘s pleasure to attend Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Orlando. Of course, we were incredibly excited to experience Halloween Horror Nights’ main draw, it’s faboolous Haunted Houses (which we ranked, here.) However, anyone who has ever heard of Halloween Horror Nights knows that the delight doesn’t end with the main event. No. In addition to its houses of scares, Halloween Horror Nights always offers an incredible array of food items and treats that are as delicious as they are gore-geous. Before attending, we exclusively revealed some of the haunted morsels Universal Orlando would serve up at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. But that didn’t hold a candle to trying them out for ourselves.
In no particular order, here are the four best food items we experienced at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2024. (Except for the Ropa Veija Walking Taco, which is absolutely the best thing you can put into your mouth at the event, bar none.)
The Wooden Board Eclair Will Make You Gasp (With Delight)
Universal Orlando
The Wooden Board Eclair is one Halloween Horror Nights food item that has it all. Firstly, it’s pretty darn themed. Inspired, of course, by A Quiet Place‘s movies, this eclair literally brings to life one of the most harrowing scenes in the first movie… the one that you’ve seen coming all along but still don’t feel ready for. The one that really makes you scream. (But shhhh.)
The Wooden Board Eclair literally has a nail sticking out of it, and its wooden board is so beautifully detailed and well-crafted that you’ll struggle to take a bite. But it won’t be sounds of pain you make when you put this treat into your mouth. Nope! When you bite into this delectable eclair, you’ll be groaning with delight because this is one delicious treat.
The Wooden Board Eclair is a textural joy. It’s perfectly fluffy on the outside and then delectably creamy on the inside. The chocolate is smooth and rich on top. Of course, it’s also delicious. But the best part is the heat of this eclair. It’s spicy but in an incredibly pleasant way. There’s just enough burn to the filling to the pastry cream that you get a tingle. But this treat definitely does not enough heat that it scorches your tongue. Alongside the chocolate, it’s a visceral experience that puts you in mind of the way you feel after watching a horror movie. You’ve really gone on an adventure, but you’re happy to have done it. A 10/10 food at Universal Orland’s Halloween Horror Nights 2024.
The Red Door Hand Pie Is a Perfect Portal and Pie
Universal Orlando
The Red Door hand pie is a delight. Firstly, it’s so red. Who doesn’t want to consume a food that red? I know I do. Secondly, it’s a perfect little model of Insidious‘ eerie portal to demonic worlds. But! It won’t actually bring you into The Further and try to consume your soul. So that’s great news. As a bonus, it’s vegan. And honestly, it’s really thoughtful of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights to have such delicious foods for all kinds of diets. This hand pie is delectably savory. It really has that unctuous richness of an incredible fall stew, and it’s so easy to eat as you walk around the park. The crust is also really nifty. Its texture kind of reminds me of a pop-tart, but I really enjoyed the way it crumbled and complemented the rich insides. The red glaze is also very satisfying in its smoothness, again a bit like a savory pop-tart, but in a good way.
The Mini Stay-Puft S’more Is One Food Item You Can’t Miss at Halloween Horror Nights 2024
Universal Orlando
I mean, come on, the Mini Stay-Puft S’more HAD to be on this list of best food items at Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2024. It’s an icon. Not only is it spooktacularly disturbing because you’re literally consuming a burnt mini Stay-Puft man, but it is also SO adorable. That’s the perfect Halloween Horror Nights secret recipe. But I have to say that this Mini Stay-Puft S’more just doesn’t LOOK good. It is quite honestly the most delicious marshmallow I have ever consumed in my life. Do not miss out on this scrumptious and Instagram-worthy treat.
The Heart Beet Tostada Brought Resturant Quality Food to Life
Universal Orlando
At first I wasn’t sure about the Heart Beet Tostada. It felt kind of like there was too much tortilla to topping when it came to the ratio of ingredients. But the more I ate it, the more delicious it became. It might be a bit hard to eat on the go, but once you’re fully munching into this bleeding, or rather beeting, heart you’ll be glad you did. The beets are pickled, but not too pickled. And everything is a little sour in the best way. Of all of the Halloween Horror Nights food items I sampled at Universal Orlando, this one was the most professional feeling. And so bloody good. The Heart Beet Tostada was also inspired by one of Universal Orlando’s best 2024 Halloween Horror Nights houses, Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America.
The Ropa Veija Walking Taco Was the Best Food Item at Halloween Horror Nights 2024
Nerdist
And so we have come to the Ropa Veija Walking Taco. The Ropa Veija Walking Taco isn’t themed. It’s not particularly adorable. It doesn’t have delicately crafted nuances. But it is SO delicious. Of all the foods I tasted at Halloween Horror Nights 2024, the Ropa Veija Walking Taco was the one I woke up thinking about, the one I craved for a week after. I had order Ropa Veija at home, this was so good. But it just wasn’t the same.
Nerdist
The Ropa Veija Walking Taco is the perfect little bundle of flavor. The meat is so savory and delicious you can’t stop eating it. And all its toppings really complement the rich beef so well, adding brightness and texture to cut through the lushness and keep it from becoming too heavy. If you go to Halloween Horror Nights 2024 make sure this is the one food item that you try. You will NOT regret it. Just make sure you eat this taco with a fork and not with the Doritos inside. If you try to eat it with the Doritos, you WILL regret it.
The post The 5 Best Foods to Eat at Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2024 appeared first on Nerdist.
Nerdist visited Universal Orlando’s 2024 Halloween Horror Nights and has compiled a list of the best food items to eat while you’re there.
The post The 5 Best Foods to Eat at Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2024 appeared first on Nerdist.
Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
