coffee breaks meetings & events

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Coffee BreaksMeetings & Events


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

COFFEE BREAKS STANDARDS OVERVIEW

MEETINGS & EVENTS POSITIONING

MEETINGS & EVENTS PROOF POINTSBespokeStoriedIntimate

ON-PROPERTY ACTIVATION

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES


MEETINGS & EVENTS

IntroductionThe coffee break is one of the most utilized services in any banquet operation–whether as part of a Daily Delegate Rate (DDR) or as an a la carte option to a meeting.

As luxury customers have higher expectations than in any other segment, the quality of the product must meet, or exceed, those expectations to create a memorable experience.

Luxury guests may evaluate the coffee break experience based on several touchpoints such as, presentation and storytelling, the quality of food and beverage products, and the cleanliness.

The following pages of this lookbook will illustrate basic luxury standards in set-up and presentation, as well as provide inspiration to create unique and distinctive coffee break experiences for the St. Regis.

MEETINGS & EVENTS


Coffee BreaksStandards Overview

MEETINGS & EVENTS


Set Up & PresentationStandards

• Hotel will ensure coffee breaks are “guest ready” 15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time

• Use branded label templates and only label food and drink items when necessary

• Ensure labels, such as beverage and sugar labels, are facing in the same direction and in clear view of the guests

• Ensure items are within reach and accessible to the guests• Add varying height by using risers, vessels, and serving

equipment• Use similar shapes that complement each other. For example,

square risers with square or rectangle platters and round risers with round or oval platters

• Ensure that all serving utensils, equipment, and china is clean and polished

• Stack beverage napkins linearly


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Set Up & PresentationStandards

• Food is positioned to ensure proper buffet flow: Start with plates and serve ware, food presentation, any applicable condiments, cutlery

• Use one container per food type• Bottled beverages need to presented so it is easy to recognize

type• Ensure buffet tables complement the event space design• Use the appropriate decor elements to enhance and

complement the theme• Power cords/extension cords should be properly taped/hidden

at all times

MEETINGS & EVENTS


BeveragesCoffee

Standards

• All coffee breaks will include regular coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and hot water with tea bags as a minimum

• Coffee must be fresh, crafted, and, when possible, locally sourced

• Coffee service will include a combination of the following milk options:US/Canada:• Half and half, skim, low-fat, 2%, soy, and/or lactose-freeEurope / Asia Pacific / MEA:• Whole milk, 2%, soy and/or lactose-free• Minimum 2 different kinds of milk -preferred semi

skimmed, lactose free or soya milk

MEETINGS & EVENTS


BeveragesCoffee (Cont’d)

Standards

• Provide brown and white sugar and sweetener and, according to your brand program, loose or packaged

• Do not permit coffee to be served in an urn• Refresh coffee every 30 minutes if set-up in the pre-function

space. For coffee set-up in a meeting room, refresh according to the guests’ preferences

• Set enough coffee cups and saucers or mugs for 75% of the expected guest count for larger breaks (50 guests or more)

Suggestion

• It is preferred to put specialty coffee machines in place

MEETINGS & EVENTS


Food & BeverageTea

Standards

• Hotel will provide hot water for tea service and it must be served in an urn or airpot / Hot water jug exclusively used for hot water only

• Tea service will include a fair trade breakfast tea, a decaffeinated tea, and an herbal tea as a minimum as well as the St. Regis BlendEurope / Asia Pacific / MEA:• Hotel will use Continent approved Tea specification• Hot Tea - Minimum selection of 6US/Canada:• Hotel will use Continent approved tea specification as

individual wrapped tea bags• It is discouraged to use an airpot designed for hot water for

coffee instead• Provide freshly cut lemons in 1/8 wedges, presented in either

appropriate wrapper or in tasteful manner (no bowls of lemons)• Honey will be served for hot tea service• Provide an appropriate waste vessel for customers to place torn

sugar packets and tea bags

MEETINGS & EVENTS


Food & BeverageSoft Drinks and Water

Standards

• Hotel will offer a variety of soft drinks, still and sparkling waters if availableUS/Canada:• Iced teas to be includedEurope:• Minimum Filter Infused Water. If customers request soft

drinks, the following are recommended:• Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max & 7-Up (No Coca-Cola

products)MEA:• Still and sparkling water required, three kinds of fresh

juices required, soft drinks recommended• Pepsi is the required beverage provider for all luxury properties,

served in bottles where available• Minimum standard of Pepsi, Pepsi Light, 7-Up, Miranda to be

offered with locally relevant beverages offered additionally. (As product varies by continent due to regional availability, please reference minimum standards on MGS for more details)

• Proper garnishes need to be served when appropriate. Make sure they are of the same quality and creativity as your restaurant or local, quality cocktail bar. Please reference the BarArts and Skip the Straw MGS page link on page 32

MEETINGS & EVENTS


Food & BeverageFood

Standards

• Each coffee break includes minimum of 1 savory, 1 sweet, and 1 healthy food item (exception for MEA)MEA:• Minimum of six different food items consisting of sweet,

savory, healthy, and cut-fruit items• Low sugar items are to be fruit-based when possible

• AM Breaks - Low Sugar - Fruit Sugar, Low Carb - Good Carb

• PM Breaks - Energy• Condiments should be provided for food items that require

them (for example, provide preserves with croissants)• Food items should be presented to either be enjoyed at

the moment or to take on the go (provide plates, utensils if necessary, and cocktail napkins)

• Food should be all prepared in-house and display culinary craftsmanship

• Temperature is essential; hot food needs to be served hot, cold food needs to be served cold

MEETINGS & EVENTS


MEETINGS & EVENTS


Tips & Practices1. For PM breaks, add local flavored syrups as an add on to a

Coffee Break to enhance the experience. Make sure to pull through the presentation of syrups by using local OS&E.

2. Have interactive options available that focus on unique, local experiences that can not be found anywhere else. These options need to clearly have an added value and experiential factor.

3. As much as possible, use glass bottles or water dispensers that have a luxury look and feel.

4. With more guests looking for coffee drinks like espresso and cappuccino, look for opportunities to utilize machines that can offer these and that are easily transported. Make sure to discuss maintenance agreements with suppliers when doing so.

5. Although not a novelty anymore, look for edible straws and cutlery. These are still an interesting touch and save on disposables.

6. Leverage the knowledge of the property’s head bartender to offer unique Coffee Break beverages as an add on.

MEETINGS & EVENTS


St. RegisMeetings & EventsPositioning

Included in this section is an overview of the St. Regis Meetings & Events brand positioning, pillars, and proof points as an aspirational guide to align successfully to the St.Regis brand.

Each proof point is further expanded upon in the subsequent pages, including specific examples to inspire leaders as they implement at their own property.


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Celebrations Made IconicAt St. Regis, we transform meetings and events into iconic celebrations. Our gatherings foster the Luminary spirit and offer guests the opportunity to Live Exquisite. We distinguish ourselves by building on our legacy and transcend the ordinary in every way.

BespokeMeetings & Events where every detail is curated to reflect our guests’ unique desires.

Personal Touches Opportunities to add individual experiences and customized flourishes to each meeting and event based on cues provide by our customers

Rare Ingredients St. Regis catering provides guests a glimpse of rare, exclusive culinary gems which allows guests to curate their own highlight personalized F&B experiences

Exquisite OS&E OS&E that evokes a conversation and highlights Exquisite Things, Exquisitely Presented and conveys guests with a feeling of experiencing their own unique meeting and event

StoriedMeetings & Events that capture the rich history of the St. Regis brand as an icon of luxury.

Iconic Rituals From our iconic Bloody Mary to the breathtaking performance of champagne sabrage, each function is amplified with a stories St. Regis Ritual

Live Jazz Legends Jazz performances that enhance arrival or break moments and become memorable function highlights either at social events or corporate meetings

St. Regis Butler Showcasing the Butler as a brand icon in the M&E space, providing master classes on signature Rituals and butler skills for M&E attendees

IntimateMeetings & Events that set the stage for the unforgettable stories of today’s cultural elite.

Intimate Settings M&E spaces that evoke a residential feel through furnishings and set up, putting guests as ease

Signature Spaces Social events staged across legendary St. Regis rooms such as libraries, wine cellars, and terraces

MEETINGS & EVENTS


St. RegisMeetings & EventsProof Points

The following pages provide insight of how to bring the brand positioning to life with actionable proof points, guiding leaders to success on-property.


MEETINGS & EVENTS

BespokeMeetings & Events where every detail is curated to reflect our guests’ unique desires.


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Personal TouchesOpportunities to add individual experiences and customized flourishes to each Meeting & Event

Have the hotel’s barista create a customized specialty coffee for attendees as an upsell opportunity or offer different types of origin coffees and roasts

Offer add on options for to coffee break presentations, for example delicately flavored syrups to enhance coffee beverages

Consider using a Ripple maker allowing to customize the foam on attendees’ coffees


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Rare IngredientsSt. Regis catering provides guests a glimpse of rare, exclusive culinary gems that allow guests to personalize their own F&B experiences

Bring in a coffee roaster to create custom blends for the group Create a coffee bar with a wide variety of options, all exquisitely displayed with different types of beans, assorted sugars (coconut sugar, sugar infused with fresh vanilla bean), spices/ additions (nutmeg, matcha), and a variety of milk options (coconut milk)

Offer a selection of teas that have been specially blended for the hotel by a local master tea blender or offer a tea “cupping” to sample and learn about a variety of teas


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Exquisite OS&EOS&E that evokes a conversation and highlights Exquisite Things, Exquisitely Presented that allows guests to experience a unique meeting and event

Hot water is presented in a beautiful samovar or served from a hand decorated tea pot

Leverage tastefully designed coffee cups, saucers and spoons instead of the standard expected china and silverware

Use elegant display equipment that elevates the food offering


MEETINGS & EVENTS

StoriedMeetings & Events that capture the rich history of the St. Regis brand as an icon of luxury.


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Iconic RitualsFrom our iconic Bloody Mary to the breathtaking performance of champagne sabrage, each function is amplified with a storied St. Regis ritual

Offer the option to serve French pressed coffee for the group, artfully brewed and presented by a staff member or Butler

Serve Coffee Break finger sandwiches from an afternoon tea etagere on exquisite plates

Showcase how to brew a proper, whole leaf tea as part of the regular tea presentation


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Live Jazz LegendsLive jazz performances that enhance arrival or break moments and become memorable function highlights either at social events or corporate meetings

Have uplifting jazz music playing in the background during the Coffee Break

Allow the meeting planner to choose from a range of music to create a customized playlist

Have a local musician play live music during a coffee break


MEETINGS & EVENTS

St. Regis ButlerShowcasing the Butler as a brand icon in the M&E space by providing master classes on iconic rituals and butler skills for M&E attendees

The Butler can brew fresh coffee using a French press, while explaining the proper way of preparing the perfect morning coffee

A Butler can explain the correct way or setting up a morning/afternoon tea etagere, with an option of the pastry chef showcasing how to prepare the best tea pastries


MEETINGS & EVENTS

IntimateMeetings & Events that set the stage for the unforgettable stories of today’s cultural elite.


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Intimate SettingsM&E spaces that evoke a residential feel through furnishings and set-up that put guests at ease

Add a reading nook for attendees to retire to during the break, allowing them to step away from the business mindset and relax

Use residential furniture and lighting to enhance a Coffee Break’s décor, for example floor lamps and open shelving for food and beverage display


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Signature SpacesSocial events staged across legendary St. Regis rooms such as libraries, wine cellars, and terraces

Set up Coffee Breaks on the Terrace, allowing attendees to step out from the meeting room spaces and get fresh air

Look for unique spaces on property that can be used, like a tucked away courtyard

Present Coffee Breaks in the Library to make the function feel more residential

MEETINGS & EVENTS


On-Property Activation

The following pages provide examples how The St. Regis Atlanta used the proof points as inspiration and designed their specific St. Regis M+E Coffee Break experience.


MEETINGS & EVENTS

St. Regis Atlanta M&E Coffee Break

Rather than using traditional vessels for coffee and tea, look for visually appealing equipment to present beverages like larger sized French presses

Take a residential aesthetic approach to OS&E for condiments. Simple, yet elegant, bowls for sugar and milk change the look and feel of a Coffee Break presentation


MEETINGS & EVENTS


Look for glassware that is representative of the Live Exquisite lifestyle like heavier, crystal cut glasses or decanters that can be used to serve juices

By adding silverware with a unique pattern, regular bone china gets elevated to something more exquisite


MEETINGS & EVENTS


Look to use smaller flower arrangements to add color and elegance to a set up China showcasing a unique pattern present a set up where every minute detail is looked after


MEETINGS & EVENTS


Using different sized and shaped elevations of similar material allows food presentations to look creative, yet streamlined

Enhance presentations with OS&E that stands out from the rest but still reflects the design narrative of the hotel


MEETINGS & EVENTS

Additional Resources

• ST. REGIS F&B POSITIONING

• FOOD WASTE REDUCTION

• SKIP THE STRAW

• COFFEE BREAK SPECIFICATIONS

• FOOD + DRINKS MINIMUM GUIDELINES (EUROPE)

References available on MGS

https://mgscloud.marriott.com/mgs/marrdocs/mgs/common/lodgingoperations/foodbeverage/brands/stregis/stregisfbpositioning.pdf

https://mgscloud.marriott.com/common/business-resources/serve-360/sustain/reduceenvironmental-impacts/waste/food-waste/source-reduction.html

https://mgscloud.marriott.com/common/lodging-operations/food-and-beverage/sustainability/skip-the-straw.html

https://mgscloud.marriott.com/standards?id=3670,3668,3667,3669,527,534,509,543,546,542,538,2851#standard3667

https://mgscloud.marriott.com/common/continental-divisions/europe/operations/food-beverage/events/food-drink.html


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