Courtesy of: Tina Escobedo
“Westin’s global philosophy of healthy lifestyles and our association with SuperFoodsRx items on our menus has put Westin at the forefront in the hospitality industry as a pioneer of promoting healthy choices for our guests,” explains Executive Chef Matt Boland. As part of Westin Hotels & Resorts® ongoing commitment to personal renewal, in 2007 they teamed up with SuperFoods Partners LLC, owners of the SuperFoodsRx™ brand, to become the first hotel brand to create a SuperFoods focused menu for their guests. Super foods, known for being health enhancing and rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, are the main ingredient in many Westin signature dishes worldwide. Westin Hotels & Resorts® also eliminates all artificial trans-fats from food and beverage operations.
“Minister Visser’s vision of carrying healthy tourism principles into our local community is also a big part of how we are educating our associates and their families,” Chef Matt says. “Our human resources team organizes health and well-being seminars for our associates to provide them with the information and resources they need to make these healthy choices at home and with their family and friends in the community, and our kitchen works together with our cafeteria team to have a weekly healthy menu for our associates so they can explore and taste ingredients that maybe they have never tried before in hopes they will incorporate these nutritious—and delicious—ingredients into their meals at home,” the chef adds. “Locals love dishes like nasi and bami…I like to use a ‘eat this and not that’ approach to show them that they don’t have to give up the foods they love because even these dishes typically high in fat and calories can be made with healthier ingredients like whole wheat pasta and rice, and lots of fresh vegetables, and still satiate their desire for the comfort food they grew up with…even a pastechi can be good for you by using corn meal instead of flour, stuffing some spinach in with the cheese, and baking it instead of frying it.”
Pictured here are a few of Chef Matt’s healthy food creations, including grilled mahi mahi with mango papaya salsa; wilted kale and gooseberry-kumquat salad with tomato concasse; local seafood ceviche with Madame Jeanette peppers, leafy greens, and radicchio; Chinese black forbidden rice pudding with coconut, cinnamon, and mango; grilled eggplant-summer tomato stack with arugula salad and basil pesto; and risotto of cracked wheat, wild mushrooms, cranberries, almonds, and green apples.
****Westin Hotels & Resorts® indulge guests in elements of well being to transform every aspect of a guest’s stay into a revitalizing experience. From the world-renowned Heavenly® Bed to delicious SuperFoodsRx™ dishes and energizing WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio (they even have a program where guests can rent New Balance® shoes and clothing so they can pack light but stay active on vacation), each signature offering has been specially designed with a better “you” in mind.
