Filed under: Resort, Special Events | Tags: Asheville NC, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Summer is winding down here at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. After a summer of record breaking hot weather across the nation, the temperatures are falling and fall is in the air! Here on SunsetMountain, that means cool, refreshing mountain breezes blowing through our resort. There’s even a chill in the air late at night, so if you’re coming to visit, pack a sweater. We’re saying goodbye to the summer of 2011 with one last big bash for Labor Day weekend. And for this party you’ll need your beach gear too! 
We’re bringing the beach to the mountains for Labor Day weekend, with some great concerts and free entertainment in our Great Hall. Headlining our Labor Day Weekend will be Beach Music superstars Legends of Beach and the awesome Tams. It’s time to kick off your shoes one last time, as we say goodbye to the summer of 2011.
As sad as we are to see the summer of 2011 end, we’re also excited because one of our favorite times of the year is coming up! The leaves are slowly starting to turn here at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. That means F. Scott Fitzgerald Weekend is not far away, the fall color season is about to begin and that also means —- drum roll —– The National Gingerbread House Competition™ will be here before we know it! Ahhhh, we do love autumn!
Filed under: Food & Beverage, Special Events | Tags: Asheville NC, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
We’re getting giddy about gingerbread at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa! Yes, we are aware that it’s only August, but if you’ve seen the creations that are entered in The National Gingerbread House Competition™, you know it takes weeks, sometimes months to build some of the entries. We recently held a “Gingerbread 101” workshop to get folks thinking about the competition. Close to 100 people attended to get tips on baking and building gingerbread structures.
Pastry chefs from The Grove Park Inn were joined by Chef Geoffrey Blount of the culinary department at Central Piedmont Community College for the “Gingerbread 101” workshop. The chefs demonstrated all sorts of gadgets that can be used for building and decorating gingerbread structures. Now where’s that marzipan tube?!?!?
Judging for The 2011 National Gingerbread House Competition is set for Monday November 14th. We are already getting applications from people all over the country, so it’s going to be a big year for gingerbread. Several of the people who attended “Gingerbread 101” tell us they will enter the competition for the first time this year. Several “veterans” were at the workshop too, including some of the competitors who took home top prizes last year. Yes, several of them are already working on their entries. We’re a little like a cult when it comes to gingerbread houses. Wouldn’t you like to join?
Filed under: Food & Beverage | Tags: Asheville NC, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
We recently made some changes at our flagship, fine dining restaurant Horizons. Don’t fret. You’ll still get the same Triple A four star cuisine and service for which Horizons has always been known. But future guests at Horizons will notice some changes, including a refreshing, relaxed atmosphere. That’s right. No more mandatory coats and ties! While Horizons is and always will be an elegant dining experience, we want you to know that we have relaxed our dress code. We want you to unwind, enjoy yourself and most importantly feel comfortable. And where Horizons once had a pre-fixed, condensed menu of a few of the Chef’s selections, we are now offering soups such as the Lobster Bisque, second course fare like our Ahi Tuna in Chilled Lemongrass Ginger Broth & of course a variety of savory dinner entrees. You can view Horizons current menu here: http://www.groveparkinn.com/admin/UserFiles/File/PDF/HDR.DinnerMenu.6.23.11.pdf
With dazzling innovations on American classic cuisine using fresh ingredients from local farmers, a world-class wine list, incredible views of downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and exceptional service, your evening will add up to more than just a dinner out. Choose from our wallet-friendly a la carte menu and settle in for a relaxed, never rushed, delightful affair. And there’s more!
In honor of our relaxed, new atmosphere, we are offering a 20% local discount every Tuesday & Wednesday for all Western North Carolina residents. That’s right. Just show your driver’s license, or other proof that you are a local resident, and we’ll take 20% off your bill! So with more variety now in both in price and style – what are you waiting for? If you need more convincing, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaVLJ3RJB5c
Now we will be happy to take your reservation at 800-438-5800.
Filed under: Food & Beverage | Tags: Asheville NC, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
We are so proud of our co-workers in the Food and Beverage Division at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa! Division leaders just returned from a trip to Dallas Tx., where they picked up several prestigious accolades — including the Achievement of Excellence Award from the American Culinary Federation! That’s no small potatoes! It’s one of the most prestigious awards in the food service industry and we couldn’t be prouder. Executive Director of Food & Beverage Jeff Piccirillo, Certified Executive Chef, Certified Food and Beverage Executive, and Executive Chef Denny Trantham, Certified Executive Chef, accepted the award in recognition of the Resort’s commitment to excellence in food service. If you’ve ever eaten at any of our restaurants, you understand why. Our food is indeed legendary.
Also during the trip toDallas, the USDA presented the 2011 awards for “Recipes for Healthy Kids”, as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa was also awarded first place in the Dry Beans and Peas category for the recipe they submitted in cooperation with our neighborhood school, Ira B. Jones Elementary of Asheville NC. This enabled Jones students to participate in the national cook-off event at the national convention. Under the direction of chefs at The Grove Park Inn, the team placed in the top three. Way to go Jones School and GPI!
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is also proud of the culinary team at AB Technical College who won the Southeast award in the Student Team National Championship. The Food and Beverage Division at GrovePark is actively involved in the schools culinary program, and provides funding for scholarships for students at AB Tech. Congratulations AB Tech and F&B!!!
Filed under: Resort, Rooms | Tags: Asheville NC, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Workers in the laundry facility at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa are constantly searching for new ways to get “greener” – and we love this one! The Laundry recently implemented a new ozone program, reducing its water & sewage usage by 70%. This new technology allows us to wash a pound of laundry using about a half gallon of water instead of the more than 2 gallons that were needed with the old system. Now that’s pretty cool! Er’ green.
The ozone system allows us to wash primarily in cold water. Approximately 85% of our laundry is processed using this technology. Ozone generators add ozone to the water, the water is then stored in a tank until the washers call for it. At that time, we pump the ozone water into the machine for processing. By using ozone we save about a penny a pound in energy savings alone. This equates to around $55,000 to $65,000 in savings annually.
The new system in our laundry division also requires our machine operators to use fewer chemicals, which helps to protect our environment. This program greatly minimizes the operation’s environmental impact, and allows our laundry team to continue providing Legendary Service to our customers. Go Laundry!! Go Green!!
Filed under: Human Resources | Tags: Asheville NC, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Meet Nancy Campbell, our Empoyee of the Second Quarter at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa!
Here’s what Nancy’s co-workers had to when they nominated her:
It is our honor to nominate Nancy Campbell for Employee of the 2nd Quarter. Words do little justice in describing this outstanding employee and person. Nancy inspires us by the hard work and dedication she exhibits every day she puts on her GPI uniform. She is quick to smile and have a kind word for all those who are fortunate to cross paths with her. She performs her duties with grace and dignity; not coincidently, the same way she treats others.
Nancy served on the previous Culture Council and was always front and center when Culture came calling. From manning tables in front of the Melting Pot to painting the smoking bathrooms to getting up at 4AM on her day off to work “crowd control” at the Culture yard sale, Nancy gave her best to live the Culture of GPI. None of this is surprising to anyone who knows her, especially those who have been lucky enough to work with her. The words “can’t” and “no” do not seem to be in her vocabulary.
It is said that the little things in life make the biggest difference. They must have been thinking about Nancy Campbell when they wrote that. We are fortunate to have Nancyas a purchasing teammate; uniquely OURS, uniquely YOURS!
Congratulations Nancy!
The Golf Course at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is in prime condition and we’re offering some great deals for our friends who love to hit the links. So duffers, hacks and scratch golfers unite! We’ve offering a “Stay and Play” package designed with golfers in mind. With rates starting as low as $175 per person, per night, double occupancy, based on 2 night stay, you get a accommodations at our legendary resort, our breakfast buffet at Blue Ridge Dining Room (which is to die for!) and — get this —- as much golf as you can play while you’re staying with us! Now that’s a golfers dream come true!
Our golf course first opened for play in 1899 and was redesigned in 1924 by the great Donald Ross. The passing decades gradually altered its play, and in 2001, the resort undertook an ambitious $2.5 million program to restore the course to the past glory and spirit of its original Donald Ross design. The restoration program was a success and led to a number of accolades, including Golfweek’s “Best Restoration” award in 2002.
As early as 1919, British golfing greats Harry Vardon and Ted Ray made summer stops at our golf course to play exhibition matches. From 1933 through 1951, the PGA Tour came yearly, bringing to the course such golf immortals as Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. Recent exhibitions have featured PGA stars Doug Sanders, Gene Littler, Fuzzy Zoeller and Chip Beck. Hall-of-Famers Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Gary Player have also walked these legendary fairways and greens. It’s the perfect time of year to play our course, with those cool mountain breezes and majestic views of theBlue Ridge Mountains. So what are you waiting for?
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa recently became a member of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). ALHI is a prestigious national sales organization that represents more than 130 Four- and Five-Diamond hotels and resorts worldwide. We are ALHI’s third member in North Carolina. Here are some of the kind things they had to say about us in their press release:
“The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is truly one of the most famous resorts in the South, and it is an exceptional venue for groups in every regard,” said David Gabri, president and CEO of ALHI. “In addition to featuring a breathtaking setting, the resort also offers an array of recreational options for groups, and provides genuine first-class service. We are very excited to have Grove Park Inn join our membership, providing us three fantastic options for planners in beautiful North Carolina for their meetings of all types and sizes.”
The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa and ALHI are a good fit. ALHI representatives work with convention and meeting planners all over the globe. Our resort features 53,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes our 17,982-square-foot Grand Ballroom. So we have space to handle meetings both large and small. The other things ALHI pointed out in its press release is that we have “a 43,000-square-foot world-class spa, a Donald Ross-designed championship golf course, and a 50,000-square-foot Sports Complex that features an indoor pool, three outdoor tennis courts, three indoor tennis courts, and a fitness center. The resort’s three award-winning restaurants include Horizons Dining Room, ranked as one of the 50 best hotel restaurants in the nation.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!
Filed under: Special Events | Tags: Asheville NC, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The National Gingerbread House Competition
We announced our judges today for the 19th annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa and we couldn’t be giddier!
Our judges combine years of experience in baking and the sugar arts with some fresh, new faces from the media. Our core group of judges is our “Legacy” judges, who return to the competition every year. Here are the 2011 Legacy judges for The National Gingerbread House Competition:
Gerry Hempel-Davis (Richmond,Va.): A judge at every National Gingerbread House Competition since its inception, Ms. Davis is the author of four books and was a lifestyle contributor for several years on NBC’s Today Show and part of the production team at CBS for the Ed Sullivan Show.
Nicholas Lodge (Norcross,Ga.): Chef Lodge is recognized worldwide as a top instructor in the sugar craft arts and the author of numerous books. In 2010, Lodge was named one of the “Top Ten Pastry Chefs,” as well as one of the “Top Ten Cake Artists” inAmerica, by Dessert Professional Magazine. He is the owner of the International School of Sugar and Confectionary Arts inAtlanta,Georgia.
Nadine Orenstein (New York,N.Y.): Curator of the Department of Drawings and Prints of The Metropolitan Museum of Art specializing in Dutch, Flemish and German art, Ms. Orenstein earned her Ph.D. fromNew York University’sInstitute of Fine Arts.
Colette Peters (New York,N.Y.): Ms. Peters has written five best selling books on cake decorating and teaches the art worldwide. Modern Bride magazine named Ms. Peters as “Trend Setter of the Year,” while Pastry Art & Design magazine named her to its “Ten Best Pastry Chefs in America.”
Mark Seaman (Chicago,Ill.): Founder of Marked for Dessert, a boutique cake shop in Chicago, Mr. Seaman is recognized for his special occasion and wedding cake design. Seaman teaches in The French Pastry School’s L’Art du Gateau—The Professional Cake Decorating and Baking Program and also guides the “International Pastry Tour” throughout France.
Steven Stellingwerf (Sioux Falls,S.D.): Mr. Stellingwerf has been involved with the sugar arts for more than 30 years. He travels throughout theU.S. and internationally teaching cake decorating, candy and gingerbread classes and is the author of “The Gingerbread Book.”
Denny Trantham (Canton, N.C): Denny Trantham is the Executive Chef for The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. He attended Johnson andWalesUniversity where he earned his Associate Degree in Applied Science of Culinary Arts and was awarded the Cordon Bleu award.
Each year, we invite a very select group of judges who work in various forms of media to join us for The National Gingerbread House Competition. This year we are proud to include the following media judges:
Mike Bettes (Atlanta,GA.): Mike Bettes is the co-host of The Weather Channel’s “Your Weather Today” on weekday mornings from 7 to 10 a.m. and the host of the popular Weather Channel franchise “The Great Tornado Hunt.”
Heather Childers (New York,NY): Heather currently works as a National News Anchor and Correspondent for the Fox News Channel based inNew York. Heather can be seen anchoringAmerica’s News Headquarters Weekends with Gregg Jarrett from 4 to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
Rachel Hardage (Birmingham,AL): Rachel Hardage is the Executive Editor of Southern Living magazine. A Tennessee native, she started her magazine career at Glamour inNew York City, where she covered news, fashion, relationships, and entertainment. After more than a decade in Manhattan, she now lives in Birmingham and is enjoying her return to sweet tea, warmer weather, and college football.
Leah McGrath (Asheville,NC): Leah McGrath is the corporate dietician for Ingles Supermarkets. Leah writes regularly for several WNC magazines, is a weekly guest on WLOS-TV and WMYA-TV in Asheville where she presents recipe and nutrition information segments, and is a local radio talk show host.
Deborah Holt Noel (RaleighNC): Deborah Holt enjoys the dual role of producer and reporter for several UNC-TV local productions. She is the host of a weekly travel program, profiling North Carolina’s unique offerings for lodging, dining, recreation, and leisure.
Filed under: Resort
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa opened 98 years ago today, on July 12, 1913. A small army of workers, many from the Atlanta area, worked 6 days a week, hand stacking the huge boulders that make up our main historic Inn. Keep in mind there was no such thing as modern construction equipment in 1913 — just men and mules — but miraculously, they completed construction of the Main Inn in just 364 days — one day shy of a year. We’ve been creating magic here ever since.
Dr. Edwin W. Grove built The Grove Park Inn. The architect was Fred Seely. Many of the touches Seely left on our Resort can still be seen today. The quotes etched into the stones in our Great Hall are the handiwork of Seely. We also could not let this day pass without stopping to remember Charles and Elaine Sammons. Mr. and Mrs. Sammons are responsible for the major additions to our Inn, our Spa, and for taking The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa to its rightful place as one of America’s truly legendary resorts. We are very grateful to them, and we miss them both dearly.
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is proud to be owned by the Sammons Corporation of Dallas Texas. As we look toward our 100th Birthday, we are busy planning, decorating and refurbishing. True, not many folks look as good as we do on their 98th Birthday. But like fine wine, we just keep getting better with age. We are proud of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa and its rich history. Happy Birthday GPI!!
