Religious Dietary Practices

multicultural holiday season
Religious Dietary Practices December 15, 2016

A Multicultural Holiday Season Calls for a Special Feast

Religious Dietary Practices December 15, 2016

December and the winter season is a time for celebration! It’s a multicultural holiday season and as we design our menus and activities, we can consider the many opportunities we have for an especially inclusive feast. Here are several reasons we often say “Happy Holidays” as a greeting and farewell during this celebratory season. In order according to the Gregorian calendar: Eid-al-Fitr More than 1,300 years ago, the prophet Muhammad received the Muslims’ holy book, the Koran. Muslims show their love for the Koran and Allah by praying and fasting during the month of Ramadan. The dates of Ramadan change…

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Dietary Needs Religious Dietary Practices October 21, 2016

Convening Kosher – from Facilities & Destinations Magazine, Summer 2016

Dietary Needs Religious Dietary Practices October 21, 2016

Convening Kosher  Communication and knowledge are key to ensuring the F&B experience pleases all parties At a recent Tourism Ireland event, I was intrigued by a query to guest host Lady Dunleath about the menus available at Ballywalter Park, Lord and Lady Dunleath’s Northern Ireland home. A meeting planner representing a law firm in Manhattan’s financial district inquired about the availability of vegetarian, vegan and kosher meals at the estate, whose Mansion House is offered for group functions. In the ensuing conversation, the planner noted that, given the costs involved in obtaining kosher provisions, she tried to investigate if attendees…

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Religious Dietary Practices June 21, 2016

Ramadan: A Time for Fasting, A Time for Fast-Breaking

Religious Dietary Practices June 21, 2016

It’s Ramadan, which is a time of fasting. This also means there are occasions for fast-breaking. While fasting lasts from sunrise to sunset, Iftar is the name of the communal meal breaking the fast and served after sunset. At the end of Ramadan, there is a three-day festival, Eid al-Fitr, where food is a celebrated religious and cultural experience. Whether you are planning a Ramadan-themed communal meal, a banquet, or a festival celebration, here are a few delicious foods commonly consumed for Ramadan fast-breaking.   Dates & Fruits: these are a very popular offering for the after sunset feasts because…

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Community Dietary Needs Food Service Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices June 6, 2016

Ramadan Mubarak (Happy Ramadan), An Important Primer

Community Dietary Needs Food Service Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices June 6, 2016

There are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims, 22% of the world’s population, which means Ramadan is a big part of many people’s lives, probably several people you know. In the meetings and events industry, it’s also a unique time because it directly involves the consumption or non-consumption of food.   What is Ramadan About? Broadly speaking, Ramadan is a month-long way to cultivate self-discipline, a sort of spiritual detox, that brings about good habits of worship and day-to-day practices to be carried out throughout the year. “The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint, and generosity, while observing God’s commandments,” according…

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Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Allergies Food Service Laws & Regulations Lifestyle Choices Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices May 10, 2016

The Real Difference Between Dietary Choices & Dietary Needs

Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Allergies Food Service Laws & Regulations Lifestyle Choices Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices May 10, 2016

As the controversy and, let’s face it, confusion, rages on around the world here’s an easy primer on the why’s and woes of dietary choices and dietary needs. Let’s begin with an actual disease, Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease isn’t an allergy to gluten as many people often mistake. It is an actual autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) causes damage to the small intestine. An estimated 1 in every 100 people has celiac, worldwide and most are undiagnosed. Because this is an actual autoimmune disorder, a diagnosis will ensure opportunity for…

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Community Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Allergies Food Service Lifestyle Choices Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Registration Religious Dietary Practices Traveling Trends April 6, 2016

Brazil Eventos & Transparency

Community Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Allergies Food Service Lifestyle Choices Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Registration Religious Dietary Practices Traveling Trends April 6, 2016

As an international speaker and Food & Beverage expert, I’ve found at least one universal truth – allergies are present in all countries and, therefore, a place must be set at the table for attendee safety and trust. I speak on a number of topics when I travel, including legislation and legality of meetings, efficient food and beverage budgeting, custom eater menu planning, and more. Next week I’ll be in Brazil discussing important food trends from around the world and how to seamlessly incorporate these exciting trends into your meetings and events for an experience your attendees will devour. I’ve…

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Lifestyle Choices Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices Things We Love Trends February 23, 2016

Going Alcohol-Free for Your Next Big Event

Lifestyle Choices Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices Things We Love Trends February 23, 2016

We think of alcohol as vital for evening events, and in most cases, it probably is. It lubricates conversation and helps many people relax. But I wanted to share this recent New York Times article that inspired me to shake things up and consider going alcohol-free at my next event. “Shine” is a networking and dating event founded in Venice Beach, CA, and that recently expanded to New York City, which is notable in that no alcohol is served. Participants drink tea, juice and mocktails and eat delicious, healthy, mostly vegan meals. It results in sparkling conversation that isn’t dulled…

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Lent dietary practices during meetings
Recipes Religious Dietary Practices February 26, 2013

Lent Brings Challenges for Event Planners When Menu Planning

Recipes Religious Dietary Practices February 26, 2013

Two weeks ago the season of Lent began on Wednesday, after a traditional pancake supper the night before. During this annual ritual, millions of Christians all around the world commence a 40-day period of sacrifice, reflection and “spiritual housecleaning” in preparation for Easter. Though the exact timing varies between sects, the liturgical season typically starts on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter Sunday, and is meant to represent the period Jesus wandered alone in the desert. The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon work “lencten,” which means spring. Similar to making New Year’s resolutions, some use the time to…

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