THE WINNERS' CIRCLE September 10, 2019

DoubleTree cookie to be baked in space

Houston, we have a cookie, the Irish Examiner reports. Very soon, the smell of freshly baked cookies could be wafting through the International Space Station.

A prototype oven with the ingredients needed to bake DoubleTree by Hilton’s signature cookie is destined to make its way to the crew. If the mission succeeds, the chocolate chip confections will be the first food baked in space, Hilton says.

Mike Massimino, who was the first astronaut to tweet from space, explained the importance of the endeavour.

Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: “Right now we are at the Space Station more or less, and I think soon we will be travelling back to the Moon – to settle this time, not just to visit – or maybe onwards to Mars.

“As we journey further away it is going to be harder to re-supply, and food, for example, is one of the most important things. And therefore being able to prepare your own food, cook your own food – we have never been able to cook food from raw ingredients before, this is a first – will be important.”

The cookies will be baked in an oven built by NanoRacks in partnership with Zero G Kitchen, which creates appliances for microgravity use in long duration space flights.

ORHMA starts Sarnia Lambton Chapter

SARNIA — There is a new ORHMA chapter in Sarnia Lambton. The Lambton Hotel Associationwill be made up of local members in the hotel industry who will represent the hospitality sector at the regional level.

The new board will include the following members: chair: Amy Dykxhoorn, Hampton Inn by Hilton Sarnia/Point Edward general manager; vice-chair: Amy Giddings, Holiday Inn Sarnia/Point Edward; treasurer: Edwina Thompson, Best Western Plus Guildwood Inn; secretary: Marilyn Neville from Lambton College; and director: Geoff Eisenbraun, Holiday Inn Sarnia/Point Edward.

“With the upcoming implementation of the Municipal Accommodation Tax, it is essential that all Sarnia/Lambton hoteliers come together with the support of ORHMA, who will influence provincial and municipal government on issues that affect our industry,” Amy Dykxhoorn said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to working together as a region to build a foundation for our industry’s success and growth of tourism in Sarnia/Lambton.”

ORHMA president and CEO Tony Elenis says, “Expanding regional presence will bring the industry closer and build a stronger and united voice in Ontario. The development of the Lambton Hotel Association provides the local hotel community with a unified voice and an opportunity to tackle industry issues at the municipal level.”

Living Water Resorts sponsors Half Marathon

COLLINGWOOD, Ont. — Living Water Resorts is excited to announce a three-year commitment to serve as the title sponsor for the Collingwood Half Marathon races www.runcollingwood.ca. The 7^th annual Half Marathon, 10K and 2K Kid’s Race will be held on Saturday, October 5^th and is expected to attract 500 runners and walkers.

Living Water Resorts has a long-standing commitment to serving inspiring experiences for its guests and the local community. Living Water Resorts was recognized as the 2019 recipient of the Tourism Canada HR Service Award for leadership in advancing human resource management practices contributing to economic and social benefits for its staff and the Canadian tourism sector.

Larry Law, Founder and CEO of Living Water Resorts, explains his resort’s unique approach to enhancing guest experiences: “Our mission at Living Water Resorts is serving inspiring experiences to our guests. Inspirethe mind, rejuvenate the body, serve with the heart and promote wellness. We are very proud that our sponsorship of the Half Marathon races for the next three years provides the unique opportunity to extend our benefits to all runners and their families.”

As in past years, the Living Water Resorts Collingwood Half Marathon will benefit My Friend's House. The Collingwood organization is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of domestic violence in the Georgian Triangle by contributing to the safety of women and their children and changing societal norms that perpetuate the abuse of women

Travelodge TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winners

CALGARY — Travelodge Canadais proud to present its six Certificate of Excellence award-winning hotels, as recognized by TripAdvisor.

“The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is a true badge of honour and all of us at Travelodge Canada are so proud of our hard-working hotel teams,” said Trevor Hagel, executive vice-president, operations, Travelodge Canada. “We applaud our hotel owners, managers and staff, who are focused on providing great guest experiences.”

2019 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Recipients:

— Travelodge Suites by Wyndham Halifax Dartmouth

— Travelodge Suites by Wyndham New Glasgow

— Travelodge by Wyndham Hotel & Conference Centre Regina

— Travelodge by Wyndham Victoria Airport Sidney

— Travelodge by Wyndham Spruce Grove

— Travelodge by Wyndham Strathmore

Hotels must have earned a bubble rating of at least four out of five, accrued a minimum number of reviews and have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least the past 12 months to qualify for the Certification of Excellence designation. There is no application process for the Certificate of Excellence.

Crowne Plaza YYZ to raise money for Culinary Olympics

Members of Culinary Team Canada will present a four-course, wine-paired menu at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport starting at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 27, in preparation for the upcoming IKA Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart, Germany in February 2020. Cost is $150 per ticket or $1,100 for a table of 8.
There will be a silent auction during the receptions and dinner. Sponsors of the dinner include Sysco Canada, F. Dick, Food Supplies, AMT Gastroguss, Chefs Hat, Culinary Federation, Orved Vacuum Masters, McMaster University, Scanbox, Monin, Crowne Plaza and Manga Hotels.

For tickets click here or contact Sue Mercer, event manager, at 416-569-2433.

Pinnacle Awards announced for 2019

TORONTO — Kostuch Media Ltd., publisher of industry magazines Foodservice and Hospitality and Hotelier, has unveiled the 2019 winners of its prestigious Pinnacle Awards.

On the hotel side, this year’s winner of Hotelier’s Regional Company of the Year is Palm Holdings.

Hotelier of the Year honours go to Edwin Frizzell, regional vice-president, Accor Central Canada and GM of Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York.

Renard International Hospitality Search Consultants — which is celebrating 50 years as an industry leader in hospitality executive search — is this year’s Supplier of the Year.

Christiane Germain hosts conference with Michelle Obama

QUEBEC CITY — Christiane Germain, co-president of Germain Hotels, will host a conference with former first lady Michelle Obama, on September 23rd at the Vidéotron Centre in Québec city. The conference is an initiative of the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce.

“We are very proud that former first lady Michelle Obama has chosen Quebec and the CCIQ as part of her international conferences tour. It denotes the importance of our city and especially the dynamism and influence of Quebec City at the international level. She is an inspiring leader with strong values, true convictions and strong actions in the community,” said Julie Bedard, president & CEO, Quebec City Chamber of Commerce.

“This encounter is undoubtedly an honour and a privilege for our company and for myself: it is a superb recognition of our company’s achievements since our beginnings, 31 years ago, in Quebec City. I have had the pleasure of meeting Michelle Obama previously and I’m looking forward to this conversation with her,” said Christiane Germain, co-founder and co-president, Germain Hotels.

The former first lady will also speak at a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Sept. 24, and at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa and the First Ontario Centre in Hamilton on Oct. 11.

Michelle Robinson Obama served as first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, transforming the position and becoming a role model, champion and inspiration for women, families, and young people across America and around the world. She launched and led many key initiatives, many of them aimed at young girls. In 2018, Michelle Obama published her memoir, Becoming. The book achieved record sales, instantly rising to the #1 slot on the New York Times Best Sellers list.