Grape Stomping Break
FAIRMONT SONOMA MISSION INN AND SPA—Grape stomping as part of the winemaking process dates back to 200 B.C. and was a practical means of juicing grapes before machines were built to get the job done more efficiently (and sanitarily). Today, grape stomping is less practical and more whimsical, a fun and silly sensory activity summoning the spirit of the hilariously famous “I Love Lucy” episode. At Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa, this ancient practice has become a popular meeting break option and teambuilding competition, where team members square off by squishing and squashing their way to victory.

“For our grape stomping activity, we set up a platform with three wine barrels and fill each one halfway with ripe grapes,” says Kelly McLeskey-Dolata, wedding and catering manager. “One person gets in each barrel and stomps away. Other team members catch the juice trickling out of each barrel’s spout, and whichever team has the most juice at the end of the activity is the winner. Each winning team member gets a bottle of wine from one of our preferred wineries, plus bragging rights.”

A range of menus can accompany the event, including the Farmer’s Market, featuring an array of local cheeses, cured meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

“For this break, we set up plank boards over wine barrels and put out the meat and cheese selection on rustic cutting boards,” says McLeskey-Dolata. “We use a wide variety of local artisan cheese makers, but some of our favorites are Cowgirl Creamery, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Marin French Cheese, and Vella Cheese Company. The seasonal fruits and vegetables are served in crates, just as you’d find them in an outdoor market.”

Other break menus include the Ice Cream Sundae break, where ice cream flavors are uniquely presented in bowl-shaped ice sculptures and served with all the trimmings. For folks needing to shore up their energy reserves after all that grape stomping, the Renew Your Energy break includes house-made energy bars with raspberry and apricot preserves, bittersweet dark chocolate s’more bars, and fresh fruit juices, including a mixed blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry concoction. The Sidewalk Café break satisfies the sweet tooth with assorted chocolate-dipped almond biscotti and various pastry mignardises (nougats, caramels, marshmallows, and pâte de fruits). The Lounging in the Spa break presents seasonal fruit smoothie shooters, Thai summer rolls with sweet chili dipping sauce, and poached asparagus with lemon aioli. Finally, the Wine Country Tea features chilled red grapes, tea sandwiches, Sonoma Valley lemon bars, and Fairmont Signature Teas.

“All of these breaks go well with the activity,” adds McLeskey- Dolata. “The menu items are light; no one wants heavy, hot food when they’ve just stomped their hearts out.”

Rock Star, Bunny Slope, Garden Delights Breaks
THE CURTIS HOTEL—This quirky Denver property tries to do everything differently. From the comical titles of staff members (they create their own), to the themed guestroom floors (Sci-Fi, Chick Flicks, and TV Mania, for example), to wake-up calls from Austin Powers or Marilyn Monroe, everything has a funky flair. Meetings are no exception. Two floors of ultra-modern meeting rooms with names such as Dodgeball, Marco Polo, and Rock-Paper-Scissors all promise creative, fun-filled meetings with break menus to match.

“Our break menus were crafted in the spirit of the hotel,” says Rebecca Frye, maven of culinary coordination (i.e., senior catering sales manager). “They encompass sounds, sights, and tastes that evoke happy memories and bring people out of their shells.”

The Rock Star is a break bound to crack even the hardest of shells since it features the Nintendo Wii Guitar Hero game. Attendees break into groups of two and rock out the meeting doldrums as the remaining attendees laugh and sing along. Guitar cases are filled with serving dishes of chicken drumsticks, mini cherry pies, mini sliders and French fries, Pop Rocks, and rock candy. Beverages include, naturally, the Rock Star energy drink.

Another action-packed break the Curtis offers is the Half Time, in which attendees use the Wii Sports station to play baseball, tennis, bowling, boxing, or golf. Stadium-style treats include cotton candy in plastic bags, peanuts, Cracker Jack, popcorn, mini corn dogs, and a nacho bar.

Other breaks include the Bunny Slope, which sports an actual snowboard leveled on glass blocks as its buffet table. Attendees find trail mix, Gatorade bars, granola bars, and homemade s’more brownies. For the Garden Delights break, vegetable crudités with Boursin dipping sauce are served in a small field of wheatgrass surrounded by radish flowers, garden gloves, and child-sized rakes and hoes. Additional picnicking musts on the menu are pita chips and hummus, steamed edamame, and a domestic cheese display.

When attendees return to their meeting rooms, even standard refreshments offer a departure from the ordinary. Boylan Pure Cane Retro Sodas are offered in old-fashioned glass bottles. Additionally, trendy hydration comes in the form of Liquid Salvation Water, flask-shaped plastic bottles labeled with either a blue angel or red devil and spiked with natural electrolyte minerals. Whether in the boardrooms or break-out areas, meeting-goers never get bored at the Curtis. Even the water’s got a kick.

Ashley Brown Allen, based in Arlington, Virginia, is a professional freelance writer covering topics related to food and beverage, travel, and corporate event planning.