Convening Kosher
Communication and knowledge are key to ensuring the F&B experience pleases all parties
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t a recent Tourism Ireland event, I was intrigued by a have seen more requests in the past three years and have also seen query to guest host Lady Dunleath about the menus a steady average of only 20 percent being actually consumed,” Ruby available at Ballywalter Park, Lord and Lady Dunleath’s relates. Aside from costing the venue money on the unclaimed diNorthern Ireland home. A meeting planner representing etary meals, deviations like these can result in a figurative bad taste a law firm in Manhattan’s financial district inquired about the availleft in the mouths of attendees. Food shortages reflect poorly on the ability of vegetarian, vegan and kosher meals at the estate, whose event, its planners and the venue itself. Mansion House is offered for group functions. In the ensuing conversation, the planner noted that, given the costs involved in obtain- In some cases, attendees may reconsider their order in time to change ing kosher provisions, she tries to investigate if attendees are strict the request. Thus, Ruby suggests, it is important to have clarified “in about their observance of the dietary laws, or if they can be satisfied advance with the chef on his policy for cancellation on custom meals with a vegetarian offering or some other option on the buffet. ordered from outside, as well as turnaround time for increasing an order once onsite. This varies in different locations based on the kosher The planner’s remarks echoed a sentiment expressed at PCMA’s or halal provider in that city.” Regarding attendees who simply do not Convening Leaders at the Vancouver Convention Centre earlier pick up their special orders, “I have seen some clients outline in their this year. During a session entitled “Dietary Restrictions Pop-Up,” a registration materials that special meals not retrieved will be added to frustrated participant lamented about a fiasco she coined “koshergate.” the conference cost of the individual,” Ruby observes. “Although this Apparently, it is not an unusual occurrence for attendees to pre-order is not an avenue for all planners, some are using this tactic to create a kosher or other special-order meals, and then fail to claim them. The message that for kosher and halal meals, there is an added cost and a planner bemoaned that “almost two dozen attendees requested kosher mutual respect that if ordered, they should be consumed.” meals [from what would seem to be a very upscale establishment] at a A more positive approach to the iscost of $125 for lunch and $225 for sue, Ruby feels, involves thorough dinner — and none of them were communication. “For many who “Many people don’t picked up.” A solution suggested at do require a kosher meal and have understand that kosher the event was to substitute kosher designated this on their registrawith vegetarian. tion, it is best to understand and is focused on confirm what the guest really As someone who adheres to korequires and then, what the facility processes, not sher dietary rules, I was perplexed is able to provide. Is it fresh? Is it blessings. The rabbi on multiple levels. First, it is frozen? Will it be meat or dairy? erroneous to think that vegetarWhat about breakfast? I have seen affiliated with a kosher certification ian is kosher. Second, I found it some clients who actually reach is merely there as a quality control disturbing that anyone was paying out to the attendee in advance, $225 for a kosher dinner. It seems only to find out they checked the supervisor.” to me that the venues might be box by mistake; they actually do —Deborah Shapiro not need kosher. With the rising unfairly marking up the cost of the meals. One would be hard pressed Vice President of Marketing & Operations, Kosher costs involved, knowing this prior to spend that much on a dinner Media Holdings, LLC to confirming orders with the chef for an individual attendee at the can make a difference.” It is also country’s premier kosher eateries, important to communicate post such as Reserve Cut, Prime Grill or Chicago’s Shallots Bistro. event with guests who deviated from their stated dietary require ments. Ruby suggests that planners confirm with the event staff/chef Third, I was curious as to what the attendees who ordered the that all special meals ordered will be labeled with the guest’s name. meals and failed to pick them up were eating. The idea of not “At the conclusion of each meal period, ask for a list of those that did claiming a kosher meal seemed odd, since that meal is a lifeline not request their meal that day. Follow up with the guest to gain more of sorts. Out of town in a convention center, that meal is all that insight as to why they did not get their meal.” stands between me and my “Plan B” — commencing a search for fresh fruits, or emergency rations of oatmeal, canned tuna or The fact is there is much to contend with when it comes to food and peanut butter, not to mention supporting the legacy of Milton beverage preparation, from food allergens to religious requirements Hershey (to my waistline’s chagrin). to the rules set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In accom modating all of these needs, it helps to limit the special requests Paul Ruby, CMP, Associate Director of Event Management at the to medically or religiously based ones. “Many times we see that Sheraton Dallas Hotel and President-Elect of the Event Service when a registration list comes in, it has an empty field where each Professionals Association, noted that while many people take their guest types in any kind of meal preference,” says Ruby, “and most dietary requirements strictly, many do not. The latter individuals often they are current diet requests and not something medical or might not follow through on their kosher meal orders, placing an religious in nature. Planners then struggle trying to create menus unexpected stress on the supply of non-kosher items. Ruby cited or order special plates for sometimes 200 or more ‘special requests.’ the case of “short-rib gate” (also discussed at the aforementioned I once had a repeat [church] group that was for 3,600 people over PCMA conference) as an example: Vegetarians decided to forego three days with all meals plated. Two years ago they left this field their self-imposed restrictions and succumbed to the temptation open and had 230 special requests. This year they only offered a of succulent-looking short ribs. “In regards to kosher and halal, we medically required section and the count went down to 29.”
Facilities & Destinations 2016 SuMMER
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