18 | prevue magazine

Culinary Combos

BY JOHNALEE JOHNSTON

prevuemeetings.com | 19

BY JOHNALEE JOHNSTON

Creating high impact culinary experiences —from the Highlands to a king perched high on his horse.

20 | prevue magazine

CCulinary 2 for 1s add value to meeting and incentive programs, especially at a time when pressures are up to deliver high impact F&B experiences on budgets that don’t always budge. But it’s not just about budget anymore (sigh of relief). Recent research shows that demand is high for social culinary experiences—well beyond festivals, tastings and tours—that plunge travelers into the local atmosphere, while also catering to their individual needs. From the Highlands to a king perched high on his horse, here are a few ideas for creating “like a local” culinary programs.

SAN ANTONIOTequila tastings in Cibolo Moon, the only restaurant in Texas that is “T” certified by the Tequila Regulatory Commission of Mexico is only part of the equation. At the 1,002-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, culinary combos run the gamut of adventure. During a GPS EcoVenture hike, groups meander across a sliver of the resort’s 600 acres, including a pass through a certified Audubon Sanctuary, using GPS to locate and solve nature challenges. This brush with Texas Hill Country culminates in a lunch or dinner on one of the property’s event lawns. Local musicians and the “Flyin’ Lion” food truck also frequent this lawn space, adding a strong local vibe and select regional flavors to meetings and events.

David Duncan, director of sales and marketing, says even for a large resort with 265,000 sf of indoor/outdoor meeting space, its strongest value proposition in terms of culinary lies in personalization—especially for smaller groups. “A sense of inclusiveness at the resort allows small groups to receive large group amenities.”

Now back to the tequila. T certification is a pretty big thing, especially when we’re talking about more than 90 tequilas—some aged on property—and a variety of craft infusions like raspberry habanero and pico de gallo and lemon berry that are available during this fun, education-driven experience. Duncan adds that two local distilleries also offer complimentary artisan vodka, beer and bourbon tours.

Off-site F&B combos are also easy to arrange. True-to-Texas BBQ workshops and mechanical bull riding among century-old cypress trees, live oaks and limestone bluffs is on the agenda at the Knibbe Ranch, a five-generation, 1,000-acre working ranch located 30 minutes away from the resort. For a really interesting evening, have the Ranch arrange a Cognac and tee pee teambuilding night.

SCOTLANDRoyal storytelling and tea aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia with Carolyn Robb, former executive chef to Prince Charles and Princess Diana, is only one of Scotland’s not to be missed culinary

combos. Robb’s cruise, complete with afternoon tea and a signature royal chocolate biscuit cake—which Prince William chose as his Groom’s cake at the Royal Wedding—climaxes with a dish on her 11-year tenure with the royals. Groups will also gain insight into life in the Highlands—from the finest smoked salmon tasting in historic Dunkeld, to a tour of the Royal Lochnager whiskey distillery, a favorite of Queen Victoria.

A little less lavish but no less interesting, fans of the popular “Outlander” books and miniseries will be whisked through time during “An Outlander Kitchen” culinary demonstration based on 18th century dinners and desserts mentioned by author Diana Gabaldon. Alongside Wanderlust Tours, groups will find the crossroads between Scotland’s history and cuisine, and experience tastings, including some of Scotland’s most iconic bites, such as the twice-cooked biscuit and Scottish bun.

Planning a meeting or incentive in Scotland, you’ll also enter a world where drinking and driving is readily embraced. Golf and whiskey tours amid mountains, centuries-old distilleries and, well, 50 shades of green happen along the fringe of the River Spey. Some of Scotland’s

finest golf courses are nestled around this river’s banks, where 28 of the world’s most famous whiskey distilleries are also anchored. A round of whiskey and golf played around heather and silver birch trees with the chuffing of the nearby Strathspey Steam Railway as backdrop make for an incredibly authentic Scottish experience.

Gin tastings are also seeing a revival, according to Alan Gibb, executive chef at the Gleneagles Hotel. Gibb caters to the trend by offering a collection of unusual gins in the hotel’s Clubhouse Bar & Grill—

groups can pair these with savory muffins made with salmon, cheese or meat, or settle in at the club after a day of wildlife photography, off-roading, falconry or any number of outdoorsy activities. “We have an international Gin Day, an annual gin festival in Edinburgh and lots of new boutique distilleries opening up—one just down the road from Gleneagles,” he adds.

Other culinary 2 for 1s include a guided architecture and food “old vs new” tour of Edinburgh and a hike through the world’s only Malt Whiskey Trail around Speyside.

OMNI HOTELS & RESORTSOmni Hotels & Resorts’ love affair with honey was taken to a whole new level this year when the National Honey Board and Omni mixologists joined forces for two days of educational and immersive experiences at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort. Not quite a jam session, the mixing of minds resulted in a custom-curated specialty menu for summer that includes honey-infused cocktails and dishes. With a collective of over 300,000 bees, Omni has long been

Previous: Event lawn food truck, JW Marriott San Antonio; Right (clockwise from top left): Duplin Winery; Berlin Wall exhibit, Hilton Anatole; Honey breaks at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa; Mountain biking through Oaxaca

True-to-Texas BBQ workshops and mechanical

bull riding among century-old cypress trees, live oaks and

limestone bluffs is on the agenda at Knibbe Ranch.

3 Funky LA Venues for Creative Culinary ExperiencesLA’s culinary scene is a global food renaissance where

Darren Green, senior VP of the Los Angeles Tourism

& Convention Board, says “foodies can explore LA’s

different cultures through a variety of authentic offerings

including Mexican, Italian, French, Chinese, Korean and

Middle Eastern. FYI: The venues are equally diverse.

REPUBLIQUE, LOS ANGELESCommunal tables, quirky event spaces and a new take

on Paris “bistronomy.” This sums up the Republique

restaurant set in the former Campanile and La Brea Bakery

in Hancock Park. The funky space is really set apart by

twists on traditional bistro-style foods: charcoal-grilled

Mediterranean octopus with watermelon, cabbage,

pistachio, chili and lime…need we say more?

THE COMMISSARY, LOS ANGELESDining in a greenhouse amid hanging vines may not be on

your list of things to do while visiting LA, but it should be.

The Commissary at Koreatown’s new hyperlocal hotel, The

Line, is a breath of fresh air for those who not only want to

taste farm-to-table but experience it in a venue made for

creative exchanges.

THE CHURCH KEY, WEST HOLLYWOODRoaming food carts, frozen cocktails in a can and

American-chic dim sum? But of course! The Church Key

restaurant is full of surprises that charge meetings and

events with the anything goes, outside-the-box energy

that is West Hollywood. The Golden Era-style space offers

mixology classes with new twists on classic cocktails.

harvesting their own beehives—from a rescued swarm at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa to golf-side hives at Omni Barton Creek—and integrating the spoils into spa treatments and cuisine.

What’s unique about their latest offering is that it’s extremely hyperlocal and poolside, meaning swim-up or out, the flavors will vary based on five regions. “The cocktails are steeped in the unique flavors of the regions in which they are served—flavors guests will recognize as originating from in each part of the country,” says David Morgan, VP of food and beverage for Omni. “In addition to broad flavor profiles and ingredients that are used across the menu, we also incorporated beloved regional flavors specific to each of our markets.”

Groups meeting in the Southeast get libations made with

Svedka Grapefruit Jalapeno vodka, wildflower honey water, fresh grapefruit and lemon juice; in the Northeast, Cruzan light rum, watermelon puree, clover honey water, fresh mint and lime are on the agenda. Morgan says wildflower honey, which reflects “the singular tastes and nuances represented in the wildflower populations nearby.”

Honey is also becoming the centerpiece in picnic-style meeting breaks. At the Omni La Costa, 12 different California honey varieties, local artisan bread and cheese, and crafted cocktails like blackberry, ginger beer and local honey are lavishly displayed as a chef talks bees and honey production. This past June, Omni Chicago Hotel was the latest to join the honey bandwagon with Omni Dallas following suit soon with a rooftop hive.

22 | prevue magazine

prevuemeetings.com | 23

3 Funky LA Venues for Creative Culinary Experiences

Only in Scotland can you combine business with pleasure so well.

We all know that as much business is done on the golf course as

it is in the Board Room, and as the undisputed Home of Golf with

over 570 courses, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Scotland.

And it’s not just the championship courses in breathtaking

surroundings that will inspire you. With a range of unique

venues, we have your next event covered from all angles.

And it’s never been easier to get here. So to find out

more about hosting an event in Scotland, log onto

conventionscotland.com/us

Or perhaps that should be unconventional Scotland.

Look at business from another perspective.

Only in Scotland

24 | prevue magazine

MEXICOFollowing forest and mountain trails to tucked away Zapotec villages; meeting local craftsmen and farmers; filling up on traditional mole dishes and tejete, a fermented corn and cacao-based drink, or Mezcal, a spirit made from agave. This is what it’s like to combine food, culture and adventure in Oaxaca, Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oh, and most of it takes place on two wheels.

Mountain biking and southern Mexico just go hand in hand. H+I Adventures not only pairs mountain biking with some of the most authentic food & beverage experiences in southern Mexico, but with two of the biggest festivals of the year: Semana Santa and El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Partying with the Oaxaqueños is a fiesta your group will likely not soon forget. Over 70,000 acres in the Sierra Norte mountains crisscross ancient Zapotec foot trails used by locals for generations. The paths connect eight Zapotec villages in an eco-partnership, offering intermediate-level mountain bikers numerous opportunities for cultural immersion—from learning the skills of local craftspeople to hyperlocal foodie experiences, like ice cream around El Tule tree, purportedly the widest tree in the world.

In Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen debuted this past June—the 6,000-sf Cenote Spa highlighting the 314-room resort. The Maya-influenced spa was designed to capture the essence of the crystalline freshwater sinkholes, or cenotes, believed by the Mayans to purify and cleanse the soul. Every treatment begins and ends with a dip in the healing cenote, with Swedish or deep tissue massages that incorporate miel de maguey,

pulque, chaya, aloe, cocoa and other powerful Mexican plant extracts. Surrounded by a vibrant green mangrove jungle, group spa days get even more hyperlocal with mezcal cocktails. Incorporating the first distilled spirit in the Americas, cocktails like “Energia Pura,” featuring mezcal, ginger paste, agave honey and fresh lime, transports groups back to the days of the Spanish conquerors.

DALLASA dine-around through meandering paths of art and artifacts that once graced the palaces of kings, emperors and czars makes for an intriguing gala, reception or even teambuilding experience. Add in a little jazz and it’s quickly a contender as Dallas’ not to be missed party of the year, and that’s exactly what the Hilton Anatole is hoping to achieve with its Food, Wine & Jazz festival this September. The festival will take place in the hotel’s 7-acre sculpture park, with live music, wine blending and culinary workshops and wine and spirit tastings intermixed.

Positioned in the heart of Dallas’ Design District, art dine-arounds are a regular occurrence at the 1,606-room Hilton Anatole, with 15 of the hotel’s most iconic art pieces paired with bites and brews that coincide with the art installations and their country of origin. In all, the hotel claims over 1,000 art pieces, some dating back as far as 500 BC.

During a regular dine-around, a replica bronze statue of 17th century “King Louis XIV on Horse” is paired with a foie gras station, French Sauternes tastings, mini gruyere and caramelized onion tarts and classic French petit fours; two 12-foot sections of the Berlin Wall adorned with images painted by German artist Jurgen Grosse are paired with boysenberry strudel, Bitburger beer tasting, mini bratwurst and kraut and warm German potato salad. For such an immersive experience, Director of Food & Beverage Saddiq Mir says at the end of the day it’s the little things that create the biggest applause.

“Something truly unique that stands out to me as a must-try at the Hilton Anatole is our Heirloom Tomato Bar, conceptualized by our

Above: Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen spa

Partying with the Oaxaqueños in a Zapote village is a fiesta your group will not likely soon forget.

From the glitz of the 2014

MISS USA® Competition

to the glory of the United

States Bowling Congress

Tournaments, we’re redefining

Southern hospitality with a

little pizzazz that’s uniquely

our own. Plan your event,

get together and

HIGH HEELS HIGH ROLLERSWE’ve HOSTED THEM ALL

O O HIGH O HIGH C : 0, M: 65, Y: 70, K: 0C : 0, M: 90, Y: 82, K: 0

800 LA ROUGE

AD #: 15VBR002-12CAPTION: VBR Meetings Print AdSPECS: 7.75x4.125” - Half page 4C PUB: LTPA 1ST RUN DATE: 2015FILE NAME: 15VBR002-12_Meetings_LTPA_7.75x4.125.indd

15VBR002-12_Meetings_LTPA_7.75x4.125.indd 1 6/1/15 12:24 PM

prevuemeetings.com | 25

From the glitz of the 2014

MISS USA® Competition

to the glory of the United

States Bowling Congress

Tournaments, we’re redefining

Southern hospitality with a

little pizzazz that’s uniquely

our own. Plan your event,

get together and

HIGH HEELS HIGH ROLLERSWE’ve HOSTED THEM ALL

O O HIGH O HIGH C : 0, M: 65, Y: 70, K: 0C : 0, M: 90, Y: 82, K: 0

800 LA ROUGE

AD #: 15VBR002-12CAPTION: VBR Meetings Print AdSPECS: 7.75x4.125” - Half page 4C PUB: LTPA 1ST RUN DATE: 2015FILE NAME: 15VBR002-12_Meetings_LTPA_7.75x4.125.indd

15VBR002-12_Meetings_LTPA_7.75x4.125.indd 1 6/1/15 12:24 PM

26 | prevue magazine 430 SOUTH GULFV IEW BLVD. • CLEARWATER BEACH , FLORIDA • OPALSANDS.COM

LET EVERY FACET OF YOUR EVENT

SPARKLE

When you hold your meeting at Opal Sands, our inspiring location, imaginative event spaces and stellar service will ensure that every detail

is nothing short of extraordinary.

OPAL SANDS RESORT FEATURES230 rooms and suites, each boasting views of the Gulf

Professional meeting & event specialists25,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space

5,500 sq. ft. event lawn for elegant outdoor affairsNine breakout rooms, all with striking Gulf views

Catering options from award-winning chefs

BOOKINGS FOR 2016 MEETINGS AND EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE NOW. For additional information and planning assistance, please call 855.410.3593.

C O M I N G F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Executive Chef David Scalise. Perfectly ripe tomato slices are paired with choice of nine different sea salts, nine artisan olive oils and creamy burrata cheese. Groups love this because it’s light, refreshing and customizable.”

The dine-around springboards from the success of the hotel’s 1-Mile Art Walk, a mile-long trail beginning and ending with two carved elephants in the foyer of the Chantilly Ballroom, part of the 600,000 sf of meeting and event space available to planners. An audio version of the tour is available on the hotel’s app, allowing groups to explore the 45-acre property at their own pace.

NEW ZEALANDImagine soaking up the steam of a geothermal spring as the aromas of fresh New Zealand mussels, whole king prawns, corn and vegetables are emptied from their flax-woven basket, submerged in the hot pool only moments earlier, permeate the evening air.

A selection of New Zealand beer, local breads and dips span the table—rewana and damper bread, tamarillo and piko piko chutney, horopito and piri piri aioli. “We also have a soloist performing traditional Maori songs on an acoustic guitar to create that unique ambiance,” adds trade marketing manager, Sean Marsh.

This unique culinary experience at Te Puia, New Zealand’s premiere Maori cultural center, dates back over 700 years and is one of many that can be organized in Te Whakarewarewa, the geothermal valley in Rotorua. And, it can be combined with any number of culturally-charged activities such as weaving, wood, stone and bone carving classes, guided nature walks or ancestral tours, close encounters in the nocturnal kiwi house or cultural performances.

Descendants of storytellers, the Maori story also unfolds through song, dance and architecture, such as the 12 carved posts at the main entrance, each representing a divine realm in Te Arawa culture.

Te Puia spans 170 acres, with over 500 geothermal wonders, many with coinciding venues where groups from 30 to 300 can meet or mingle.“The best connections are often made across the dinner table,” Marsh says, adding that one of the most sought after geothermal dishes is the humble soft boiled egg. “I’m not sure why, but eggs cooked in this pool are really tasty.”

MIAMIFor those who have fantasized of leaving behind a special “I was here” token on departure, the 224-room Marriott Stanton South Beach’s new murals and meetings program may be just what the doctor ordered. The new teambuilding activity allows groups to “vandalize” the hotel’s walls. Under the direction of local Wynwood graffiti artists, and under the influence of a lot of rum courtesy of Miami Club Rum, groups collaborate to create a surf-inspired mural during a 60-minute out-of-the-box painting session. The graffiti lesson, spearheaded by local artist Atomiko, will cover the basics like

Descendants of storytellers, the Maori story also unfolds through song, dance and architecture.

Above: Hendricks Gin, Scotland; Stanton South Beach terrace

430 SOUTH GULFV IEW BLVD. • CLEARWATER BEACH , FLORIDA • OPALSANDS.COM

LET EVERY FACET OF YOUR EVENT

SPARKLE

When you hold your meeting at Opal Sands, our inspiring location, imaginative event spaces and stellar service will ensure that every detail

is nothing short of extraordinary.

OPAL SANDS RESORT FEATURES230 rooms and suites, each boasting views of the Gulf

Professional meeting & event specialists25,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space

5,500 sq. ft. event lawn for elegant outdoor affairsNine breakout rooms, all with striking Gulf views

Catering options from award-winning chefs

BOOKINGS FOR 2016 MEETINGS AND EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE NOW. For additional information and planning assistance, please call 855.410.3593.

C O M I N G F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6

28 | prevue magazine

forming shapes, patterns and gradients, and other tricks of the trade. “This isn’t the hotel’s first go around with the art scene,” says GM

Mike Manzari. “Prior to this, we’ve long worked with local Wynwood artists, most recently on lobby renovations that started earlier this year.”

Once renovations hit the outdoor terrace, it only made sense to keep the artsy theme going. Atomiko and a few other artists put together a live art exhibition in this spirit and created the outdoor murals as well. Above all, Manzari says the graffiti experience “gives groups the opportunity to get an exclusive look at Miami’s emerging arts culture, without having to leave the beach.”

Located in the trendiest corner of Ocean Drive known as South of 5th Street (“SoFi”) in Miami, the hotel’s local scene also offers numerous culinary 2 for 1 possibilities, including the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens’ moonlight garden tours and wine tastings or an afternoon with Miami Culinary Tours for cultural, food and walking tours (add in art for a jaunt through the vibrant Wynwood Art District) for an insider’s view of Miami’s history, culture and cuisine.

Throughout the year, the Perez Art Museum also shakes things up with fresh exhibits, food and local music.

MYRTLE BEACHThis year saw the arrival of one of the South’s largest wineries from North Carolina’s oldest winery. The new 15,000-sf tasting facility Duplin, known for its sweet Muscadine varieties, is adjacent to Barefoot Landing, a popular shopping complex with over 100 stores and restaurants. After an afternoon of tours and tastings—

from the rural vineyards of Rose Hill to the sandy shores of North Myrtle Beach—groups can partake in art classes, grape stomping (seasonally) or the ultimate in teambuilding, an interactive murder mystery dinner at the Bistro, with fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced dishes on the menu.

Myrtle Beach also offers countless historic and cultural experiences that plunge groups into the heart of the Lowcountry. A good place to start is Brookgreen Gardens, a former plantation spanning nearly 10,000 acres as a National Historic Landmark. Top among the cultural tours offered here are pontoon boat rides along historic ricefields from the 1800s and perusing former slave villages and the archaeological artifacts found there.

A dinner reception among culturally-infused gardens with world-renowned sculptures, 300-year-old Live Oak trees and lush native foliage from Brookgreen’s plantation days, is a highlight to any event. Consider integrating a horticulture or sculpture class for a truly local experience.

Brookgreen also offers a Gullah educational program, providing glimpse into the rich culture of the region’s former slaves brought to the Sea Islands and coastal regions from the West African coastal countries of Senegal and Sierra Leone. Much of what we call soul food actually takes a page from the Gullah cookbook’s comfort food classics such as fresh oysters, mac and cheese and collard greens. You’ll find plenty of Gullah “one-pot” wonders throughout Myrtle Beach, but the consensus is that Webster’s in Pawley’s Island offers some of the best.

marriott.com; visitscotland.com; omnihotels.com; mountainbikeworldwide.com; hiltonanatolehotel.com; businessevents.newzealand.com; tepuia.com; miamiculinarytours.com; playadelcarmen.grand.hyatt.com; gleneagles.com; duplinwinery.com; brookgreen.org; thechurchkeyla.com; thelinehotel.com; republiquela.com

“This isn’t the hotel’s first go around with the art scene—we’ve long worked with local Wynwood artists.”

Above: Dining in the Geothermal Valley, New Zealand