HotelsMag December 2012 | Page 51

F & B : MEETINGS & EVENTS
Bullock . “ It takes over 12-ft tables filled with glamorous , individually made chocolates .”
Often playing up the best of the hotel ’ s destination involves a handson component . The Tides Inn in Irvington , Virginia , offers a banquet menu that highlights the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay region , says Director of Sales Lindsay Curry , such as Rappahannock oysters , local fish and produce and Virginia wines . The hotel provides interactive programming as well , such as an herb tasting during dinner in which guests attempt to identify herbs from the property ’ s garden by their flavors and scents , or an oyster bake on the beach .
“ Groups want to immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of the areas they are visiting ,” Curry says . “ We are happy to incorporate educational components into banquet meal events , such as a trip to the local wineries for a tasting , a farm tour , a crabbing cruise or an oyster-shucking class .”
The Chocolate Lab at Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto crafts one-of-a-kind confections , often to be paired with ice wines from the nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake region .
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