F & B : Kids ’ Programs
Westin Hotels & Resorts ’ Eat Well Menu for Kids includes several “ build your own ” options to help young guests get excited about healthy foods while traveling .
New kids ’ meNu oN the block
Hotels are targeting young guests through innovative F & B programs .
by BRiTTany FaRB , aSSOciaTE EdiTOR
Doctors , dentists and dieticians helping Westin Hotels & Resorts put salmon Niçoise salad and “ build your own ” crepes on the kids menu is a great example of the expanding trend to promote healthy eating and please parents who are increasingly traveling with their children .
Westin ’ s Eat Well Menu for Kids also educates children about why the foods they are eating are nutritious , according to Brian Povinelli , global brand leader at Westin .
“ Parents want to know what is in their kids ’ food ,” says Corey Nyman , director of operations at Las Vegas-based consultancy The Nyman Group . “ This isn ’ t just a fleeting fad , it ’ s a real trend that ’ s here to stay . Parents are more committed than ever to avoiding things like added salt , sugar and hormones .”
What ’ s on the menu ? Hyatt Hotels Corp . stayed true to the name of its For Kids by Kids Menu by tapping kids to judge and evaluate the program during its creation . In fact , several recipes were submitted by families and tested by the panel of kids .
Hyatt ’ s menu offers interactive dishes to encourage children to be more adventurous and healthy with customiziable pasta dishes and tacos , and shakable healthy salads .
“ You can do fun things with healthy food that can easily be implemented in families ’ homes
after leaving the hotel ,” says Tyson Warren , director of operations at the Hyatt St . Louis at the Arch . Warren adds his staff is an integral part of the experience for kids .
“ We have a set of action steps for involving children as well as their parents ,” Warren says . “ Our staff points out the interactive items on the menu and encourages the entire family to engage in the experience .”
At Four Seasons Chicago ’ s Allium restaurant , the Kids Kart Brunch is designed for children between 2 and 5 years old . The interactive brunch starts with kids choosing a beverage , such as fresh juice or local root beer , then the Kids Kart visits the family ’ s table with healthy choices , including push-pops with yogurt , granola and sprinkles ; crudité with hummus ; and fruit salad . Kids can also choose an entree such as eggs or French toast bites and visit a dessert buffet .
“ The Kids Kart Brunch was designed for kids with parents in mind ,” explains Jann Kaiser , F & B director at the Four Seasons Chicago . “ While we ask the kids directly what they would like from the Kart , all of our options are items that parents would most likely approve of .”
Kaiser also echoes the importance of offering interactive options . “ We keep kids busy so parents can enjoy their own brunch . We try to make everything pique kids ’ curiosity . The more interesting it looks , the more likely kids will go for it .”
www . hotelsmag . com January / February 2015 HOTELS 39