Meetings and conferences often present big challenges for those on a restricted diet, with limited menu options such as the default vegetarian dish – pasta with cheese in cream sauce. But when thousands of convention attendees require kosher meals – and a non-Jewish chef runs the hotel’s non-dedicated kosher kitchen – the challenges shift from those who need to be mindful of what they eat to those who need to be mindful of what they prepare and serve.

Nationwide, there has been an increase over the past few years in the number of functions catered at non-kosher hotels, presenting both opportunity and great challenges to F&B teams. Whether properties invest in a separate, dedicated kosher kitchen or utilize a trusted outside caterer, the primary ingredient to producing a successful kosher event is a painstaking attention to detail. The F&B team at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel was recently presented with an opportunity to showcase their ability to accommodate full kosher, multi-day meetings, and they not only rose to occasion, but exceeded client expectations.

In November, The Jewish Federations of North America gathered at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel for their annual General Assembly, with more than 4,000 federation members in attendance. Under the direction of Executive Chef Scott Skomal with assistance from Jon Greenseid, President of JG Kosher Consulting Group in Coral Springs, Fla. and supervised by Rabbi Berel Simpser, the banquet kitchen was kashered in order to prepare and serve food during the conference. (The Sheraton Denver Downtown hotel is currently exploring the addition of a dedicated kosher kitchen.)

Skomal’s and Greenseid’s teams made it a priority to pay special attention to every detail, working tirelessly for months leading up to the event in order to ensure the caliber and integrity of the kosher food. “As the demand for full kosher meetings, conventions and special events continues to grow, so does the need to ensure the food being produced meets Jewish dietary regulations,” said Skomal. “Our goal is to become a known kosher go-to in the metro Denver area, and it’s important for us to remain vigilant in providing clients with a truly uncompromised quality kosher event each and every time that exceeds the needs of our Jewish guests,” he continued.

According to Greenseid, Skomal and his team are on track to achieving that goal in a relatively short period of time: “I worked with Chef Scott for over six months to prepare for this event, and he is without a doubt a true professional, always able to respond to my requests, answer my questions, and take care of whatever came up. Kosher catering was relatively new to him and he took this as a challenge and rose to the occasion. Never once did he question or debate any of the Rabbi’s requests. Scott and his team deserve every compliment we received about the food – and we received many.”

Adding to Greenseid’s recommendation is a happy client with her own glowing feedback.  “This is my third General Assembly and without a doubt, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is the best hotel I have worked with thus far,” said Susan Sherr-Seitz, Associate Vice President, The Jewish Federations of North America. “I would recommend them for any group, especially a Jewish group with kosher requirements. The team did an amazing job of making everything happen, responding to changes at the spur of the moment, and made it all look flawless and planned.  We received great feedback on the level of service at the hotel from our participants.”

Denver plans to host an FIS ski and snowboarding event in Civic Center park in January featuring one of the biggest man-made ramps ever constructed.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and officials with the Metro Denver Sports Commission and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced the “Denver Big Air presented by Sprint” event today at a press conference at Civic Center Park.

“Imagine in real space seeing athletes flying hundreds of feet into the air right outside Civic Center, and having the city and county building in the background,” Hickenlooper said. “We will have an opportunity to make history with a truly international spectacle.”

The LG FIS World Cup Snowboard Big Air will make its first stop in the United States. In the past, the event has been held in Moscow, Barcelona, Quebec, Seoul and London.

The ramp for the event will be 101 feet high, 300 feet long and 80 feet wide and will face toward the City and County Building.

The event will be held Jan. 25-26 and is scheduled to precede Snow Show, the SnowSports Industries America’s annual exhibition, as well as ESPN’s annual X Games in Aspen, both of which are scheduled Jan. 27-30.

The competition is expected to attract 20,000 spectators. A free viewing area will be set up in Civic Center Park, where liquor will also be sold. Paid viewing will occur along Bannock Street and in the plaza of the City and County Building.

“The tricks that are going to happen are going to be out of this world, mind blowing,” said Bobby Brown, an X Games gold champion, and native of Denver who plans to participate in the January competition.

Negotiations are underway to bring Shaun White, the Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding, to the event, organizers said.

Read Full Article at Denver Post.com

The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is located a block away from Civic Center Park and the “Big Air” competition. For great hotel rates for the “Big Air” competition, please visit us at www.sheratondenverdowntown.com.

Opening September 22 in Denver, this multimedia extravaganza is a show unlike any other.  Cavalia celebrates the bond between humans and horses, virtually reinventing the equestrian arts.  Created by Normand Latourelle, one of the founders of Canada’s famed Cirque du Soleil, the show will be held under a big top tent at the Pepsi Center.  Enjoyed by more than 2.5 million people in the U.S., Europe and Canada, Cavalia involves more than 100 performers, including 50 magnificent horses from all over the world, riders, aerialists, acrobats and dancers as well as musicians and a vocalist.  During the show, horses cavort with the many artists in front of a constantly changing background digitally projected onto a 200-ft. wide screen, drawing spectators into dream-like virtual environments.  Unlike traditional horse shows in the round, the audience faces a single, 160-ft. wide stage, which allows the horses space to gallop at full speed, at times running completely free unfettered by bridles or halters.  Cavalia takes place under North America’s largest touring tent – a white, 26,264-sq. ft. big top rising some 100 feet high that gives the horses an ample playground to have fun with their trainers and the artists.  Cavalia’s horses are trained based on a philosophy of understanding the horse rather than making him understand the human beings around him. The tone of the show, embraced by the entire company, is one of respect, kindness, patience and trust.

The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is pleased to announce special rates for fans attending Cavalia. The Sheraton Denver Downtown is located on the 16th St. Mall in downtown Denver and only one mile away from the Pepsi Center. Click Here to book your special Cavalia rates.

The Taste of Colorado kicks off Friday, September 3rd and runs through Monday, September 6th. A Taste of Colorado is a free outdoor festival held annually in Downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park. It is produced by and benefits Downtown Denver Events, Inc., a non-profit organization of the Downtown Denver Partnership that produces community and cultural events.

Typically drawing over 500,000 visitors a year, A Taste of Colorado includes over 50 booths operated by local food establishments. The event also features seven music stages, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities and carnival rides, and interactive exhibits. This year Bret Michaels and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are two of the main headlining acts.

Civic Center Park Is located adjacent to the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Come in and enjoy a great Labor Day experience at the 2010 Taste of Colorado and stay the night on the famous 16^th St. Mall at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.