Kids to get new hotel menus

THE IRISH Hotels Federation (IHF) today launches a new healthy eating initiative for children, called Food for Kids which will see participating hotels and guesthouses offering healthier children's menus.
Irish hotels prepare over five million meals for children each year and have a significant role to play in helping the fight against childhood obesity in Ireland, according to organisation president Matthew Ryan.
"There is a growing problem of obesity among children and teenagers in Ireland," said Mr Ryan, "and I know from eating out with my own three kids, that there is often a lack of choice.
"Our aim is to assist parents to choose healthier food options for their children."
The IHF represents almost 1,000 hotels and guesthouses in the Republic, and about one-quarter of these (some 250 premises) are participating in this first phase of the project.
"Almost 90 per cent of our hotels that are specifically geared towards providing meals for families and kids are involved.
"I think the overall number will increase gradually and I am confident that the initiative will take on a life of its own."
Chefs from hotels and guesthouses across the State have been provided with healthy preparation guidelines and suggested menus with an emphasis on balanced nutrition, prepared by nutritionist Margot Brennan.
"Food eaten outside the home tends to be lower in overall nutritional quality and higher in recommended rates of fat," according to Ms Brennan.
"It does vary hugely, but the majority of these menus are offering chicken nuggets and chips, sausages and chips or fish fingers and chips, and that is hugely frustrating to me.
"Those meals are very high in fat and poor in nutrients," she said.
"One of the main objectives will be to reduce the levels of salt and fat used during cooking and to promote healthier options such as baking, boiling and poaching rather than deep frying foods."
The programme is largely focused on healthy reinterpretations of those old favourites.
"It's a balanced approach," said Mr Ryan.
"We don't want to browbeat parents or children. This has to be a customer-driven model where we are helping to solve the problem rather than dictating what people can or can not eat.
"A lot of the family favourites will still be available, but they will be prepared and cooked in a more wholesome and nutritious way."
Participating hotels and guesthouses will display the Food for Kids symbol outside their property, on menus and websites.
The IHF will also publish a list of participating premises on its website, www.ihf.ie.
Participation in the initiative is voluntary and it will be largely self-policing, according to Mr Ryan.
"We will be doing checks ourselves to make sure that participating hotels and guesthouses are sticking to guidelines but I firmly believe that our customers will vote with their feet anyway, and that is ultimately what will make this a success," he said.
© 2008 The Irish Times

Approval for The Clarence Hotel

Approval for U2's Clarence Hotel plans

U2 members Bono and The Edge have secured the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála to redevelop the Clarence Hotel in Dublin.
An Bord Pleanála disregarded the recommendation of the inspector who held the public hearing into the case.
The inspector had recommended that the hotel not be granted planning permission.
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Heritage groups had opposed the plan as most of the art deco hotel, and several Georgian buildings, will effectively be demolished.
Last April, U2's guitarist The Edge told a hearing by An Bord Pleanála that the future of the hotel may be in doubt, if the owners' redevelopment proposals were rejected.
Under those plans, developed by Norman Foster, most of the 1930s hotel, four Georgian buildings, and a Victorian building will be remodelled.
A huge glass atrium will then be built over the new structure, which is part of the designer's plans to make the Clarence one of the top ten hotels in the world.
However, the scale of the redevelopment led heritage groups to oppose it, arguing the redevelopment was inappropriate and affects protected buildings.
John Redmill, a committee member of the Irish Georgian Society, said it was a very black day for historic buildings and asserted the historic skyline of the capital would now be destroyed.
However, Damien Cassidy of the National Conservation Group welcomed the decision.
He withdrew an objection to the project after Bono arranged a meeting for him with the architect Norman Foster.
He said Mr Foster explained that the controversial glass atrium was an environmentally-friendly aspect, which would contribute to the heating of the building.
Mr Cassidy said the decision guarantees the Clarence will remain open for business as a landmark hotel, which was welcome in the context of the closure of several traditional Dublin businesses such as Bewleys and Jurys.

Congratulations to Patrick Stapleton on his new Appointment

Congratulations to Patrick Stapleton on his appointment to the 800 room Hilton Birmingham Metroploe at the NEC.
http://www.hilton.co.uk/birminghammet

Patrick leaves Belfast (Hilton Belfast & Hilton Templepatrick) shortly to take up this senior role. We wish him very success.

IHI President's Comment on National Confidence Day

Ewan Plenderlieth, Director, General Manager, Herbert Park Hotel and President of the Irish Hospitality Institute states:

"In light of the current economic climate we asked all of our members and Industry colleagues to adopt an approach for confidence on July 8th National Confidence Day. The goal of this day is to acknowledge and increase confidence of all individuals in both their personal and professional lives.
Professionally, it is reminding people to radiate confidence to achieve ones goals as we face the many challenges that lie ahead."

We're proud to announce National Confidence Day 8th July 2008 - Help us spread the word!!!!

‘Confidence is the Companion of Success’ -anon

We are proud to announce tomorrow ( July 8^th) as NATIONAL CONFIDENCE DAY the current gloom around our national economic uncertainty has impelled us to ask all our contacts to inspire their colleagues, friends, relatives and business associates to adopt a more confident approach to their jobs and lives in general.

Here are some thoughts that may help you get started, if you have more interventions we would love to hear them.
Email: brian@actionrecruitment.ie

SMILE

Send this mail or your own version to as many people as you can.

• Add your own confidence ideas
• Compliment a colleague, customer , supplier
• Call your mother, sister, brother, aunt etc
• Whistle, sing, dance (not all at the same time of course)
• Send someone a card.
• Wear your loudest tie
• Pay a bill.
• Make a donation
• Set some challenging Goals
• Play a trick on someone (not a confidence trick)
• Stand tall
• Give someone a hug
• Take a deep breath
• Walk the dog
• Tell a joke
• Take someone (or yourself) to lunch
• Do someone else a favour and ask for their help (people love to help)

Confidence