Cooking up hotel restaurant promotions

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Wine tastings, cooking classes and New Year’s Eve parties are just a few of the ways that hotels are boosting their foodservice business leading up to the holidays.

The Drake Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, recently launched holiday entertaining and relaxing classes, called Drake Academy. “You book the food and beverage for your corporate or social group, and our staff member teaches sessions on sushi rolling, wine and cheese pairing, chocolate and cognac tasting, and spa services,” said Ana Yuristy, GM of The Drake.

The Academy is becoming popular because groups can take part in seminars for as low as CAD$29 (US$27.38) per person, and receive the food and liquor that is part of that class. “We’re putting a big push on it for holiday parties … and we hope to keep it up throughout the year and add sessions to it,” Yuristy said.

In addition, The Drake aims to draw in locals and international guests with its December and January room rates and special food offerings. Its Holiday Retreat package features a standard room for CAD$189 (US$178.43) for the first night, and CAD$129 (US$121.79) for each additional night.  Click here for full report from HNN