InterContinental Hotels ups culinary experience via mobile program

InterContinental Hotels is adding to the culinary experience at its properties in Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston and Miami through the Kitchen Passport mobile program that features recipes by the hotels' executive chefs from around the world.

The Kitchen Passport is a component in InterContinental’s "In The Know" iPad applications that give guests an exclusive experience in the destination to which they travel. The latest San Francisco edition of Kitchen Passport will feature the second series of hotels to be included this mobile program.

“The overall goal of the Kitchen Passport program is to elevate consumer awareness of InterContinental Hotels and its brand hallmarks and differentiators, two of which are our food and beverage program and ‘In The Know’ experiences,” said Gina LaBarre, vice president of brand management at InterContinental Hotels Group Americas, Atlanta.

“Another goal of the program is to populate our Kitchen Cookbook iPad app with new, creative recipes as well as reach new audiences through shared interests,” she said.

“The Kitchen Passport program will allow us to reach current and potential InterContinental Hotels’ guests who also share our love and passion for fine cuisine.”

NorCal taste

The Kitchen Cookbook iPad app is available for free in the App Store.

The new San Francisco-themed edition of the app will feature an appetizer, entrée and dessert inspired by Northern California. It was created by travel expert Avital Andrews and chef Daniel Corey.

The cuisine of the meal reflects the culture of Northern California, the Intercontinental San Francisco on-site restaurant Luce and the global presence of the hotel company.

Ms. Andrews also worked with Eric Hammermaster of InterContinental San Francisco’s Bar 888 and Thom Phan of the Top of The Mark Lounge at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco to develop a specialty martini for the program.

InterContinental App

“The InterContintenal Hotels brand attracts guests who have an appreciation for a unique food and beverage experience,” Ms. LaBarre said. “This program highlights the unique aspects of the InterContinental dining experience through showcasing recipes created by our top hotel chefs.”

InterContinental App

Atlanta is also currently featured on the Kitchen Cookbook app. The brand has plans to expand with Boston and Miami this year.

Insider experience

Under the Kitchen Passport program, InterContinental is also offering blogger participants the opportunity to try one of the brand’s signature Insider Experiences.

The Insider Experiences are concierge-inspired packages that allow guests to explore the local flavor of the destination.

Some Insider Experiences include a behind-the-scenes tour of the cigar manufacturers in Miami’s Little Havana and a late-night dining experience at Atlanta’s Holeman & Finch Public House where only 24 specialty cheeseburgers are served at 10 p.m. each night.

The Kitchen Passport program works to give consumers more than just a cookbook.

“Consumers are increasingly turning to wireless tablets as modern-day cookbooks to explore and learn about different recipes,” Ms. LaBarre said. “In response to this emerging trend, InterContinental has brought the dishes of the hotels' executive chefs from around the world into the homes of travelers.

“The app offers consumers the ability to build out shopping lists for each recipe, as well as access information about the associated InterContinental Hotel and book a hotel reservation directly within the app,” she said.

Final Take

Erin Shea, editorial assistant on Luxury  Daily