News Briefs ~ June 2012

Pastry course for Celiacs

VICTORIA—Fairmont’s expert chefs and mixologists love sharing their secrets with curious guests, and a few hotels have made it easier than ever to learn the tricks of the trade. As part of the brand’s Lifestyle Cuisine Plus program that brings gluten-free menus to guests, The Fairmont Empress offered a special celiac pastry apprentice class on May 20 for CAD $120 per person. Attendees learned about recipes that are delectable for everyone, including those with gluten sensitivities.

IHG helps Clean the World

ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has announced a partnership with Clean the World to recycle partially-used soaps and bottled amenities from hotel guest rooms and distribute them in communities with limited access to hygiene products.

Clean the World Foundation Inc. is a charitable organization that is committed to stopping the spread of preventable diseases by collecting, recycling and distributing hotel guest room amenities to children and families in the United States, Canada and more than 45 countries worldwide. Through its sustainable and socially responsible efforts, including a patented method of sterilizing soaps during the recycling process to remove potential germs and pathogens, Clean the World has helped divert more than 1.4 million lbs. of hotel waste from local landfills.

IHG has the potential to add 3,274 properties in the United States and Canada, representing 407,840 rooms, to Clean the World’s growing list of more than 1,400 hospitality partners throughout North America.

A comedian via room service

EDINBURGH—Hotel Indigo hotel in Edinburgh recently had a comedian available via room service. Guests at the hotel were able to order a 10-minute show from Janey Godley along with their food and drink from April 19 to 21. Dominic Kutschera, general manager of the hotel, said: “Edinburgh plays host to the world’s largest arts festival every summer and as a result Edinburgh has become synonymous with comedy. The festival theme is reflected throughout our hotel and we thought it would be fun to take this a step further by putting comedy quite literally on the menu.”