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Metz Culinary Management, Inc., one of the top 50 firms in the foodservice industry, has recently expanded its Global Cuisine Initiative by launching a successful halal dining pilot program at the University of Louisville Hospital and Healthcare System in Louisville. The program has been very well received by guests, and as a result, Metz has decided to offer the halal program at Niagara University and the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), both located in Buffalo.
The Global Cuisine Initiative was created by Metz to serve nutritionally healthy meals that meet the increasingly diverse needs of guests. Metz has been offering kosher meals for some time, along with plant-forward, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, and now, through its Global Cuisine Initiative, the company aims to provide delicious meals that embrace the fresh ingredients, bright flavors, and cooking styles of the world.
Metz’s hospital partners in Louisville and Erie County specifically requested halal menus, while Niagara University wanted to enhance its existing halal offerings while refreshing its retail space. The company’s goal is to deliver a diversity of inclusive meals for all customers, and it rotates its menu offerings on a short-term basis that mirrors its global approach to cuisine, so that there’s something for everyone.
According to Metz Healthcare Division Chef Hannah Alvarez, the halal menu rollouts at these locations have been extremely popular, with the University of Louisville serving 73 halal meals to guests on Day One and 94 on Day Two. Metz’s halal menu offerings have been so successful that the company plans to roll them out to additional partner sites in the near future.
The halal menu items are sourced from halal-certified and trustworthy vendors, and the selections include halal beef kofta, halal chicken shawarma, gyro lamb beef cone, falafel, lemon rice, tabouleh, grape leaves, pita bread, Lebanese fattoush, hummus, roasted garlic tahini, baba ghanoush, and a variety of toppings and sauces. Guests have the option of picking a single halal item or picking two or three selections to build a custom plate.
The ECMC location features a pop-up site in the cafeteria with menus that rotate weekly, depending on availability. Metz plans to refresh its Global Cuisine dishes regularly, ensuring that guests have access to a diverse range of nutritious and delicious meals. Overall, Metz’s Global Cuisine Initiative is a testament to the company’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its guests, and its halal dining program is just one example of its efforts to provide inclusive dining options for all.
