Metz expands Global Cuisine initiative with halal dining

FM Top 50 firm Metz Culinary Management, Inc. has expanded its Global Cuisine Initiative by launching a successful halal dining pilot program at the University of Louisville Hospital and Healthcare System in Louisville. Based on the pilot’s popularity with guests, the company is now also offering the halal program at Niagara University and the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), both in Buffalo.

“Creating and serving halal meals for our partners is part of Metz’s exciting new Global Cuisine Initiative to serve nutritionally healthy meals that meet the increasingly diverse needs of guests,” explains Metz Corporate Culinary Director John Selick IV. “We have been offering kosher meals for some time now along with plant-forward, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Through our Global Cuisine Initiative, we want 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. Its response reflects its goal 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.     

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The halal hot line lets guest pick items to build a custom plate.

“Halal menu rollouts at these locations have been extremely popular with UofL serving 73 halal meals to guests on Day One and 94 on Day Two”, notes Metz Healthcare Division Chef Hannah Alvarez. “Metz’s halal menu offerings have been so successful that we anticipate rolling it out to additional partner sites in the near future.”

The halal menu items are sourced from halal-certified and trustworthy vendors. 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.