Westin New York Grand Central Unveils Organic Veggie Garden 384 Feet Above NYC

NEW YORK - May 2, 2013 - PRLog -- According to a recent National Restaurant Association survey*, locally grown produce is one of the top three food trends of 2013. The Westin New York Grand Central is making it easier for busy travelers to eat local.  The hotel’s culinary team has unveiled its foray into urban agriculture and the “pick and plate” trend, with an all-organic garden that produces local vegetables and herbs which will be used throughout the hotel’s food and beverage program. The new 1,344 square foot garden is perched 384 feet above Manhattan on the hotel’s rooftop, tucked away on the 41st floor amidst New York City’s majestic skyline. As part of this new rooftop garden initiative, the garden utilizes only organic plants, soil, fertilizer and insect deterrents (including ladybugs). Visitors to the hotel will have many opportunities to taste the items that chefs pick from the garden…and plate just hours later.

The rooftop garden was planted on Earth Day in April and this month, the hotel will begin harvesting the first mini-crops for use in event catering as well as at THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, NYC. Freshly-grown vegetables in the garden include arugula, mesclun lettuces, heirloom tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, peppers and fall squashes. Herbs include basil, mint, thyme, oregano and cilantro.

The uber-local ingredients cultivated in the garden will be utilized in seasonal menus, including salads, grilled vegetables and various dishes on the hotel’s spring, summer and fall seasonal menus. Examples from the menu include Arugula Salad and Tomato & Buffalo Mozzarella Salad. Herbs will be used for flavor and seasoning in dishes, while mint will be harvested for cocktails including freshly-muddled mojitos.

“By incorporating urban agriculture into our food and beverage program, the Westin New York Grand Central brings a unique experience to our guests, while focusing on new and healthy ways to eat local,” said Executive Chef (and Chief Gardener) Brian Wieler. “You can’t get any more local than this. We can’t wait until our plantings become menu ingredients, when we pick crops from our rooftop garden and plate the ingredients within hours of harvesting.”

The rooftop garden at the Westin New York Grand Central is comprised of eleven planted beds and four robust barrels. Beds will be planted in succession throughout the summer, in order to prolong the vegetable harvest throughout the fall.

For more information about the Westin New York Grand Central, go to www.WestinNewYorkGrandCentral.com or call 212-490-8900.

*2013 “What’s Hot” culinary forecast survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association.

Editors’ note: Images are available of the rooftop garden, as well as several food and beverage offerings utilizing the garden’s local ingredients.

About the Westin New York Grand Central

Located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, the new Westin New York Grand Central opened in October 2012 after a $75 million complete renovation to reveal a modern design and signature Westin amenities. The hotel features 774 spacious guest rooms and suites, a 3,000 square-foot WestinWORKOUT® fitness studio and THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, the first bar and food concept from nightlife leader Gerber Group in a Westin property. For events, the hotel offers more than 14,000 square feet of sophisticated meeting space including the brand new Madison Ballroom, all with open room design and state-of-the-art technology. A partner of Grand Central Terminal’s Centennial this year, the hotel is ideally situated just two blocks from Grand Central (http://www.westinnewyorkgrandcentral.com/Grand-Central-Te...)  and steps from landmarks including the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center.