The Southwest Michigan region is establishing itself as a tasty Midwest destination.
Foodies will be thrilled to find new trails mapping out top dining options in Grand Rapids as well as the best stops for a beverage in Lansing. In addition to hitting the trails, groups can seek out a variety of culinary options, from hands-on cooking classes in Kalamazoo to microbreweries worth visiting in Battle Creek.
Here are several palate-tempting ideas for planners who would like to incorporate the area’s culinary offerings into a meeting’s agenda.
Grand Rapids
In response to high demand, Experience Grand Rapids created the Grand Rapids Food Trail to help visiting and local food enthusiasts easily find all the delicious options in town.
The trail map outlines the different neighborhoods that make up the city as well as food experiences found within each neighborhood, according to Janet Korn, senior vice president of Experience Grand Rapids. Places include the Fulton Street Farmers Market and Cakabakery in Uptown, Ferris Coffee & Nut on the West Side and Tacos El Cunado, located at the Downtown Market.
The Downtown Market also hosts a number of cooking classes that teach groups about nutrition and how to cook healthy meals.
“Chefs at the Market are themed cooking classes where chefs come in to teach groups how to make a variety of dishes, from crostini to strawberry basil ice cream,” Korn says, adding that the Downtown Market is also home to a variety of indoor food vendors that offer samples of cheeses, breads, meats and many other goodies when groups visit via a tour with Live Eventfully, a popular local guide.
The Local Epicurean, also located downtown, is another option for fun group cooking classes, including cheese- and chocolate-making.
“But pasta-making classes are the specialty at Local Epicurean,” Korn says. “The pasta chef will assist groups in making fresh pasta or ravioli to take home for a homemade pasta dinner.”
Grand Rapids is also a beer hot spot, as it is home to more than 30 breweries, including the popular Founders Brewing Company, which according to Korn was named the third best brewery in the world by RateBeer.com.
“It’s not only a brewery but a group meeting space, thanks to the Centennial Room,” Korn says, explaining the rental space comes with a fully staffed bar and accommodates 60 people seated or 100 standing.
Meetings-friendly hotels in Grand Rapids are also offering exciting dining options for groups who do not have the time to go off-site for a meal.
The newly renovated and branded DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel, for example, recently unveiled Ganders, which has a mouth-watering lineup of burgers, sandwiches and various other specialties. The restaurant can now host groups of up to 150 people for lunches, dinners and cocktail receptions.
“The kitchen uses local ingredients and works with local vendors as well as local breweries to create a variety of meal options,” Korn says.
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The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel will step up its culinary game when it adds the new riverfront Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck restaurant this fall. Groups can also experience private dining on the hotel’s 28th floor courtesy of restaurant Cygnus 27.
Greater Lansing
Like its neighbors in Grand Rapids, the Greater Lansing CVB is touting its culinary offerings.
“The Greater Lansing area is home to over a dozen craft wineries, microbreweries, cider mills and distilleries,” says Tracy Padot, vice president, marketing communications for the Greater Lansing CVB. “Most facilities offer tours and tastings for groups, making them the perfect option for off-site special events during conventions and meetings.”
The CVB recently announced Makers & Shakers–Greater Lansing’s Beer, Wine and Spirits Trail, featuring Lansing-based Uncle John’s Cider Mill, Mason-based Bad Brewing Company, Haslett-based Burgdorf’s Winery and East Lansing-based Red Cedar Spirits.
For a more hands-on outing, groups can check out Le Chat Gourmet in Eaton Rapids, which offers more than 100 cooking and baking classes in a state-of-the-art classroom/kitchen.
Teambuilding activities here include a cooking class, followed by a three- or four-course meal prepared by the participants, and a take-home recipe booklet.
There is also no shortage of group-friendly eateries in the area for those able to venture off-site.
“The Greater Lansing CVB opens the doors to dining options sure to excite attendees,” Padot says.
Among the popular and varied options are East Lansing’s HopCat, which offers dozens of craft beers on tap and pub fare for casual gatherings of 100-plus people; Lansing’s Capital Prime, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant with two private dining rooms; and Ai Fusion, where groups will find sushi and other Asian-inspired dishes as well as tatami-style seating.
Kalamazoo
Among Kalamazoo’s food and beverage options, West Michigan Beer Tours offers walking and biking tours of a dozen local breweries.
“Groups can learn about the craft beer scene in Kalamazoo, enjoy samples at each location and learn a little history of Kalamazoo along the way,” says Renee Newman, vice president of marketing and communications for Discover Kalamazoo.
Among the stops on the tour are Bell’s Brewery, which has space for private events accommodating up to 125 guests, and Gonzo’s BiggDogg Brewing, which accommodates small groups of up to 20 people.
Another popular culinary activity in Kalamazoo is an outing to Food Dance, a locally sourced restaurant that offers about 25 events annually, including tastings, demonstrations, demos and hands-on classes.
“A group could join any of the classes that are planned during the year, or there are a number of classes that can be booked for private events,” Newman says. “Guests see the process, are able to ask questions and taste each course. They also offer technique classes, which are typically shorter in length, including the knife skills class.”
Battle Creek
Much like other parts of the region, Calhoun County is increasingly being touted for its impressive craft beer scene.
According to Kimber Thompson, marketing manager for the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, two noteworthy breweries in Battle Creek are the newest kid in town, Territorial Brewing Company, which just opened last year, and Arcadia Brewing Company, which is an established craft brewery with a positive national reputation.
Arcadia, which offers tours and tastings and has space for group gatherings, specializes in handcrafted British-style ales and has a wood-fired oven straight from Naples, Italy, and a Southern barbecue pit for some truly incredible ribs, according to Thompson.
Territorial, which accommodates group events, serves German-style lagers and German food, including five different types of sausages.
“This is a not-to-be-missed brewery experience,” Thompson says. “The dining room is intimate, but they are willing to reserve space and time for larger groups.”
Freelancer CAROLYN BLACKBURN is a regular contributor to Meetings Focus.
