HomeMy WebLinkAboutVLMD CSE Restaurant Update 06.21.12VLMD/CSE Meeting 06.21.12
Vail Restaurant Group Report
Alana Smith, Larkspur Restaurant
History of how we have arrived here today
Goal s
o meet regularly in order to establish a collective Vail restaurant voice
o create a means for communicating with the restaurant community
Met on June 11
o 12 restaurants present, have been 12 -20 at all 3 meetings thus far
o We intend to develop a more comprehensive sampling of all restaurants’ opinions
o Focused on the following questions :
Does the restaurant group feel that there are “too many” culinary events?
• W e feel that as many events as can be done, should b e
• We welcome the opportunity to offer feedback in regard to future groups
o Will help to gauge volume of restaurant participation in advance
What is our signature culi nary event?
• We began with the following list:
o Oktoberfest
Determined to not be a signature culinary event
Would advise 1 instead of 2
o Vail Farmer’s Market
determined to not be a signature culinary event
o Gourmet on Gore - yes
o Vail Restaurant Month -yes
o Taste of Vail - yes
Gourmet on Gore
• H ugely successful , well attended , well received
• C ould be beneficial to host this event the weekend AFTER Labor Day
o F unding should remain the same as it is very well run
Vail Restaurant Month
• Very well marketed event
• C ould be more effective if limited to 10 days
o Seems diluted by length
o S hould still receive equal funding
Do not want to lose the great marketing
Would like to see increased perceived value
o Would welcome the opportunity to work with the planners
Taste of V ail
• The Taste of Vail should be the signature culinary event
o I t’s not what it could be
o It could be the most “brand savvy ” event
• R estaurateurs provided input in regard to w hy they currently do/do not
support the event
o Past successes and frustrations with the event
Reminisces of amazing past presentations, guest chefs,
sponsors
Lack of communication, coordination , regulation
o Seem to be structural difficulties pr eventing it from being great
feel these could be overcome if t he event were more well
funded
• perh aps by the TOV, similar to Bravo funding
o N ot suggesting that it become for profit
o L ike that it is intended for food and beverage enthusiasts
• Of the 1 2 restaurants represented at last meeting:
o We feel we can give the Tas te of Vail our full support, if:
W e are able to begin meeting w ith the Taste of Vail Board
• This suggestion has been well received
W e are able to see an evolution of the event
• Restaurateurs try to :
o stay current with the guests expectations
o challenge ourselves to improve
• We need to see that the Taste of Vail is doing the
same
o We hope that the VLMD can focus their time, finances and efforts on these events in the
year to come and appreciate your taking our feedback into consideration
o We are v ery pleased to report that the group represente d reflects a wide variety of styles of
restaurants
o We hope to develop a communicative relationship between the TOV, the VLMD, the CSE
and the restaurant community