F & B : Coffee & tea
Caffeinating locally
The Dorchester ' s Parcafé serves coffee sourced by a local roaster .
Cocktails , wine and beer aren ’ t the only beverages showcasing local partners . Several hotels are collaborating with community businesses for their coffee and tea programs .
Hotel deLuxe , a Provenance Hotel in Portland , Oregon , recently launched an afternoon tea service with local partner Smith Teamaker . Created under the direction of the hotel ’ s tea sommelier , Kaitlin Dover , the menu also features custom-blended teas , tea sandwiches and tea-inspired cocktails .
“ My job is to give you a reason to talk about my hotel when you leave ,” says Bashar Wali , principal and president of Provenance Hotels . “ The association with our partners really gives us credibility both locally and regionally .”
In North Carolina , the newly opened Graduate Charlottesville draws heavily from local businesses at its Sheepdog Coffee shop . Along with local juices and pastries , Sheepdog serves coffee from Charlottesville-based Mudhouse Coffee Roasters , a favorite among the town ’ s coffee drinkers .
Another coffee partnership was launched last year with Virgin Hotels and Bow Truss Coffee Roasters . Together , the Chicago-based roaster and the hotel introduced the first U . S . coffee pour-over service to provide guests with coffeehouse quality beverages without having to leave their rooms . Guestrooms ( or “ chambers ”) are equipped with Hario Buono kettles with a narrow spout designed for easy pouring . Bow Truss is also served in Virgin Hotels Chicago restaurants Two Zero Three , Miss Ricky ' s and The Common Club .
“ Bow Truss roasts on demand so we knew we were getting the best product ,” says
Marlene Leslie , vice president of food and beverage at Virgin Hotels . “ Part of the Virgin Hotels proposition is to incorporate the local landscape where possible by partnering with beloved brands within the community .”
Served around a centerpiece of a bright yellow espresso machine , The Dorchester ' s Parcafé coffee shop in London recently opened serving beverages from local partner Alchemy Coffee . The South London-based roaster works directly with local farmers from around the world , including Guatemala , El Salvador , Costa Rica , Colombia , Brazil and Ethiopia .
“ It ’ s a really exciting time for coffee and tea ,” says Corey Nyman of The Nyman Group . “ There are enough people not drinking alcohol for medical , family or religious reasons , so being able to offer these special other beverages is appreciated .”
Graduate Charlottesville ' s Sheepdog Coffee serves local favorite Mudhouse Coffee Roasters beverages .
Hotel deLuxe partnered with Portland-based Smith Teamaker for an exclusive tea menu .
42 HOTELS January / February 2016 www . hotelsmag . com