InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced a new children's hotel menu designed by a child nutrition expert and an award winning chef. The menu launches at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in early 2014.
The menu has been jointly developed by chef Theo Randall and children's food expert and author, Annabel Karmel MBE.
Annabel Karmel MBE said: “Children are naturally inquisitive, and grown-ups are often surprised by the flavors they enjoy. Sometimes it takes a little encouragement, and a holiday with the family can be a great opportunity to explore new and exciting foods.
“Working with Theo, we’ve created a menu filled with diverse flavors and tastes while offering the nutritional balance InterContinental travelers with young families are looking for.”
As part of the menu’s development, Annabel and Theo conducted a test and learn tasting session with young guests in October. The dishes trialled proved a big hit and provided the culinary duo with additional insight into the dishes they will roll out as part of the final menu.
This menu launch is a key part of a renewed food and beverage focus for IHG, whose family of brands also includes Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts and Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. IHG’s team of chefs and food experts globally are working on a number of new programmes to improve and enhance the food and beverage experiences guests can enjoy across the company’s family of nine brands and more than 4,600 hotels globally.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts will roll out the new menu from January 2014 and it will be available in all properties globally by the end of June 2014.
Annabel is best known for her innovative recipes that embody her passion for giving children the very best start in life by inspiring families to cook nutritious, delicious meals that taste great. Annabel started working life as a musician and one of her early jobs was playing the harp at the InterContinental London Park Lane. Theo, on the other hand, is known for creating simple, authentic dishes using the best and freshest ingredients.
“My cooking philosophy is greatly influenced by my parents’ love for good food," said Theo Randall, Chef Patron of Theo Randall at the InterContinental. "Growing up, a memorable family holiday was always one with great food experiences. I've found that I learn quickest about different cultures and cities through the flavors of cuisines at each destination I visit and this is something I hope to bring to life for the children who visit InterContinental restaurants around the globe.”
Simon Scoot, Vice President Global Brands, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and IHG Global Resorts said: “A great dining experience is something our guests expect when staying with us – and we’re dedicated to innovating and delivering this across all our brands at IHG. For InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in particular, we understand our guests' desire to give their children the best opportunities to learn about the world whilst having fun – and food is a great opportunity to do this.”
He continued, “This partnership is based on the principle of ‘Food Exploration’ which is all about creating food experiences children will find intriguing and exciting. At the same time we want to reassure parents that our children’s menus are nutritionally balanced – just another way we endeavour to give our guests piece of mind when they are away from home.”