your corinthia magazine | 2013 august

7/27/2019 Your Corinthia Magazine | 2013 August

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ABOUT CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPEST> Corinthia Hotel Budapest is an award-winning member of the Corinthia Hotels bra

hotel originally opened as the Grand Hotel Royal in 1896 and was entirely renovated a

parts, rebuilt in 2003, following its acquisition by Corinthia Hotels. Among its many

attributes, the hotel features a majestic Grand Ballroom and the Royal Spa- itself an

extensive renovation of an original 19th century Spa which adjoined the original hotel

has once again regained its rightful place as Budapests most luxurious Spa.

CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPEST RECEIVEDAWARD AT DOTCOMHOTEL HOSPITALITY CONFERENCE> Dotcomhotel Hospitality E-Commerce & Revenue Management Conference,collaboration with TrustYou, presented the Best Hungarian Hotels awards as jud

by consumers. TrustYou analyzes online opinions of consumers around the wo20+ languages, and computes them into one single score. In the final analysis, 24Hungary's best hotels in the 3-, 4- and 5-star categories were selected. CorinthiaBudapest was recognized as one of the best 5-star hotels in Hungary for itsexceptional facilities and the high level of its services. 'We are extremely proudthis title. Guest reviews are essential for our hotel's reputation, as they are testto our hotel's commitment to customer service and excellence,' said Thomas MFischer, General Manager of the hotel.

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INTROAwards we are proud of, a photo what we loveand a prominent guest whom we have hosted

recently.

INTERVIEWInterview with Imre Turk

Brasserie Manager on his duties and the hotelswonderful breakfast menu.

PROGRAMSPlan your programs with us! We have listed a

number of events for you. Also, we suggest totry our Brasserie and Atrium Restaurant.

CSRCorinthia Hotel Budapest sets examp

by supporting ill children in cooperatiwith the Magic Lamp Foundation.

WelcomeFROM THEGENERALMANAGER

> August is the month ofsummer pleasure, leisureand relaxation. In additionto the popular open-air

festivals in Budapest, we have put together a list of

the best exhibitions, fairs and programs especially foryou. This month I would like to draw your attentionto our Brasserie & Atrium restaurant, which scoreshighly for its international cuisine. The breathtakingatrium-style interior lends a very uniqueatmosphere, perfectly complemented by the superbcreations from our outstanding chef.

would also like to take this opportunity torecommend this issues fascinating articles on, fornstance, the latest chapter in the century-oldhistory of our hotel and the interview with ImreTurk, our manager of the Brasserie & Atriumrestaurant, who talks about what it means to him towork in the hotel, and his personal experiences overthe years. In August, the Royal Spa places thespotlight on the eyes, offering a rejuvenating,smoothing and hydrating treatment that isparticularly good for tired eyes.

When time allows, we invite you to enjoy looking atthe exhibition spanning the more than 100 years ofhistory of our hotel. You will find the exhibition inthe lower Lobby area. I really hope that the Augustedition of our newsletter sparks your imagination,and that you find programs here that meet yourneeds and interests.

Thomas M. Fischer | GENERAL MANAGER

GuestBookEros RamazottiITALIAN PO P/ FO LK S INGER- SO NGWRITER

Guests around theworldhavespoken.TheTrustScore isthe first,independent,consumer-trusted score

that representsall onlineopinions of consumers around theworld.

THIS CERTIFIES THAT: 93Corinthia Hotel

BudapestHasachieved excellent customersatisfactionwith itsguests

2013

JakobRieggerCOO &CO-FOUNDER, TRUSTYOU

BenjaminJostCEO &CO-FOUNDER, TRUSTYOU

PHOTO OF THE MONTH > Our hotels magnificent spa we are especially proud of.


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How long have you worked at the hotel? What are your pastexperiences, and what are you doing now?I joined the hotel team as a college trainee in 2007. A fewmonths later, I applied to be a waiter. After this, I participatedin the hotels own managerial training course, for a period of 18months. During this time, I had the opportunity to learn theoperations of the hotels various sections: HR, Finance, Sales,Marketing, Room Reservations, Kitchen and of course F&B.After the course was completed, I was gratified to be asked torun the Rickshaw Restaurant, and from October 2011 to run theBrasserie and the Executive Club.

As manager of the Brasserie, do you have a say in the creationof the restaurants menu? If so, what do you take intoconsideration when doing this?To an outsider, changing the menu would appear to be a

moments work, although in truth it is achieved only afterlengthy preparation. We constantly monitor the selectionsoffered by competing restaurants. On entering any otherrestaurant, I pay particular attention not only to the freshnessof the ingredients and the seasoning but also the overall image,in other words, what the dish that is served does for the eye. IfI see something I like, I make a note of it. However, the guestremains the most important advisor. They contribute to thedevelopment of the menu because they give us their viewsthrough their selections. There is a three-course set meal onthe menu, which allows guests to choose between twoentrees, two main courses and a dessert. The favorite dishes ofthe set meal make their way onto the menu. The chef canselect from 104 tried and tested starters and main dishes, and52 desserts. When we hold a tasting session, we evaluate thedishes and give the chef suggestions for changes.

The breakfast menu in the restaurant was reinvented recently.

What were the changes?Im delighted that you have asked me about the new breakfastmenu because we are extremely proud of the final results. Ourprimary objective was to improve the quality of our buffetofferings, not only for the palette but for the eye as well. We

have dressed the restaurant with a special interior designis more accessible and more interesting. We have placedsparkling wine in a turning stand, water is kept in a speciawooden bin, and soda water from a siphon is also availaTeas are stored in boxes made especially made for us; bothat are used to ship tea around the world, while protecfrom damaging environmental elements. We have also hstands made to enhance the appearance of our bread, bproducts and cakes. I wont bore anyone by going througentire selection because that would fill the whole newsInstead, let me mention just a couple of the new dietaryselections. The breakfast offering has been expanded wit"Organic Section" where guests can choose from six diffeorganic mueslis, tea, honey and sugar-free jams, freshly pcarrot and cucumber juice, smoothies, a wide selection oFrench fruit and low-fat yoghurts, whole and sliced, exot

berry fruits. And another thing, perhaps one that is uniquguests are allowed unlimited consumption of 100% orgachardonnay sparkling wine during breakfast.

On what basis do you decide which food is offered to gueand how it is served?We have done many taste tests. Typically, these were btastings, where we had no idea about the price or the bAfterwards, we selected those products that performedFrom my own experience, I can say that it is not always tmost expensive that is the best. We divided the buffet isections and then after breakfast we rebuilt it section bysection time and again and then the whole in one. Thow we reached the final result.

The hotel celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. How Brasserie participated in this event?The 10th Anniversary Brunch was organized on April 21. T

event turned out to be a very special occasion. We enhathe buffet with dishes that were featured on the originaRefreshing cocktails were served in the bar set up in theFinally, the atmosphere was enlivened with dancers andmusicians.

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The Grand StoryOF CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPESTBY TIBOR MESKL, MANAGER ON DUTY

The beginning - Chapter 7

> In June 1920 the Treaty of Trianon fixedHungarys borders. Compared with the pre-warkingdom, Hungary had lost 71% of its territory, 66%of its population, and with the new borders, aboutone-third of the Magyar population becameminorities in the neighboring countries ofRomania, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia.How did the Grand Hotel Royal survive this era of

change and hardship? As one of the leading luxury hotels in the city(e.g. The Ritz had disappeared), there was still demand for a luxuryhotel. Whoever was in power, whoever visited the city, neededaccommodations and a venue to hold conferences. The managementrealized the need to expand their foreign network of travel agencies.Meanwhile, in-house, more bathrooms were added, reducing the totalnumber of rooms. Restaurants were rebuilt, the Apollo Cinemaslicense was renewed and the whole building received a total face-lift.

However, competition from the hotels lining the banks of the Danubecontinued to be tough.But these were dark days. Life was hard for all Hungarians. One day, inApril 1921, officials and workers of the movie industry gathered at theRoyal Apollo, where they protested against the high tax burden andthe restrictive laws which were slaughtering cinemas. Over 1,200people took part. A rallying cry became wages and the increased costof living a 6,000% rise in prices since 1913 against a 450% rise ofwages. In 1922 the Royal Apollo Cinema had to close down.Around this time, film producer Alexander Korda briefly lived at theRoyal. In spring 1923 the Pesti Kabar (Cabaret of Pest) also settled atthe Royal.The same year, 1923, the founder of the Grand Hotel Royal, FrigyesGlck was declared bankrupt. His company, the Royal Nagyszll Rtsurvived and slowly the management of the company was able tobring the hotel business back on its feet. Zoltn Kornyi became thefarsighted new spin-doctor of the Grand Hotel Royal. Internationalrelations with travel agencies were rebuilt, although it proved difficult

to captivate the attention of British, French and Italian travelers. Thescars of the recently fought war were not yet healed.The management of the hotel recognized the need for a competentrestaurant manager. In 1920 a man who had successfully operated hisown restaurant in a pavilion at the City Park approached them: KrolyGundel. Born in Budapest in 1883, Gundel had worked for his father inthe Hotel Archduke Stephen, followed by employment at variousprestigious establishments in Switzerland, Germany, England andFrance. Since 1910 he had managed his own restaurant at the City Park,now he wanted to move closer to the action, to the heart of the city.Today we know that the roaring twenties were about to start. Inhindsight, Gundels move came at the right moment. Kornyi equippedthe restaurant with cutting edge European appliances and techniques.Outstanding cuisine now met perfect service. For the next five yearsGundel catapulted the Royal back to the top of the charts: it rankedagain as one of the best hotel restaurants on the continent.Zoltn Kornyis next step was the search for a perfect gipsy band forthe hotel, traditionally a solid cornerstone of the entertainment

programs in the Palm Court. In Nagyvrad, he found Kroly and IstvnBurah, who became the celebrated house-band of the Royal. At theRoyal Bar, Lilly and Emmy Schwarz, sisters from Vienna, played at twopianos.During a particular hot summer in 1927, a press article in Sznhzi let(Theatre Life) read: The favorite meeting place is in the Royal PalmGarden. After the hot and busy Elizabeth Boulevard, visitors appreciatethe cool air of the restaurant. With a new air conditioning system thehotel owners pamper their guests.This year the restored and rebuilt Grand Hotel Royal celebrates the10th anniversary of its Reopening on the 30th of April, 2003 asCorinthia Hotel. Several historical periods and chapters will bepresented to the readers in the coming issues to commemorate thismagnificent hotel.

Tobe continued

MEET THE STAFFINTERVIEW WITH

Imre Turk,BRASSERIE MANAGER

Corinthia Hotel St Georges Bay> Positioned in the heart of the Mediterranean, on the archipelago of Malta, known to the ancient Greeks as Melita or Lof Honey, is a world-class resort. Perfectly located at the entrance to St Georges Bay and offering magnificent panoramiviews of the sparkling blue Mediterranean, the Corinthia Hotel St Georges Bay personifies the majesty and grace of a cothat while small in size, is large of heart and history.With a choice of exhilarating water-sports and a tempting array of Mediterranean-focused restaurants, the hotel makes tmost of its waterside setting. This is a resort for business, relaxation and sport. The Apollo Spa is a tranquil haven, while twater-sport facilities include jet-skis, parasailing and self-drive speedboats. Within the hotel, every guestroom has a largeprivate balcony or terrace and the Executive Rooms provide access to the businesslike Executive Club lounge. As for dinthe choices range from casual to smart and from American to Italian. It is easily possible to stay a week and dine at a diffrestaurant each evening. Monday might be French. Tuesday could be seafood. For late-night entertainment, our bars andcocktail lounges offer a sophisticated alternative to the throng of nearby nightclubs and entertainment spots.It is also home to extensive conference facilities. The 14 meeting rooms range from boardrooms for 8 delegates to conferooms for 550 delegates. Most meeting rooms have direct access to sun-terraces with garden or sea views.The Corinthia Hotel St Georges Bay is truly a destination that dreams are made of.


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OUR OFFERROYAL COCKTAIL> Acquaint yourself with the hotelsvery latest cocktail, into which wehave poured out heart and soul. Thisunique creation, the nobly namedRoyal Cocktail, is being served in LeBar. The recipe is attached to thisunique drink and you can try makingyour own Royal at home!

OPENING HOURS:Every day from 10:30 until 1:00TABLE RESERVATION:Tel: +36 1 479 4880,E-mail: [email protected]

Royal SpaRESTORING FACIAL BEAUTY BYFOCUSING ON YOUR EYES

>With the help of a cooling and firmingmask we focus on tired eyes, to help firmdelicate tissues and improve the overallappearance of the eye area.Our eye mask treatment helps reduce finwrinkles, and crows feet that are less thadesirable ways to bring focus to your eyealso very good for rehydrating the skin arthe eyes and rejuvenating aging skin.In August we will treat you to an eye mawhen you book any 60 minute facial byPhytomer or Germaine de Capuccini.The Royal Spa welcomes you every day f6.30 am until 10.00 pm. Please contact SpReception on 7650 for further informatio

CHILLED TOMATO SOUPWITH LEMON SORBET

INGREDIENTSFOR 4 SERVING(S)

1kg fresh tomatoes20gr fresh ginger root

15ml olive oil2 sprigs basil

500ml lemon sorbetCumin, salt, pepper, tabasco

TOTAL TIME 15 to 30 minPREP. TIME 15 minutesCOOKING TIME 10 minutesDIFFICULTY Easy

METHOD Immerse the tomatoes in boiling water

for 30 seconds then run under coldwater to remove the skins easier.

After you have peeled the tomatoes,cut them into wedges.

Peel and chop the ginger.

Place a saucepan on the heat with alittle olive oil. Add the ginger andcumin, stir with a wooden spoon andadd the wedges of peeled tomato.

Cover and simmer for 15 minutes overlow heat.

Pour the cooked tomatoes into thebowl of a food processor and liquefy.Taste and correct the seasoning withsalt, pepper and Tabasco.

Cool, then refrigerate. Serve the soup well chilled with a scoop

of lemon sorbet and a few choppedbasil leaves.

Recipe of the MonthTHE CHEF RECOMMENDS

>Joel Khalil, Executive chef of Corinthia Hotel Budapest joined thehotel having already established himself as a highly skilled professionalon a number of continents. His last appointment was the position of the

Executive chef of Sofitel Macau in Asia and prior to that he was workingin Dublin, Switzerland, Tel Aviv, London, Brunei and Hong Kong. Hisinternational career experiences have inspired him to create someexciting, easy-to-make recipes. We invite you to cook with us and tryJoel's favorites.

Joel Khalil |Executive Chef

TABLE RESERVATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION: +36 1 479-4800 or [email protected] facebook.com/corinthiahotelbud

BRASSERIE & ATRIUM> The Brasserie and Atrium Restaurant is situated next to the main lobby with indoor and atrium seatiThis lively restaurant is available throughout the day serving a buffet breakfast and an la carte menu fboth lunch and dinner. It is the ideal venue for casual and business meetings.

RESERVATIONS | +36 1 479 4850 or extension 7850, 7800 [email protected] | corinthia.co


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> Every summer Castle Hill gives home to a series of dance nightsorganized by the National Dance Theatre featuring folk dance,flamenco, tango and modern dance. This years event takes placefrom July 30 to August 14.Performances start at 20:30 in the Carmelite Courtyard, located nextto the National Dance Theatre.

> Budapest Summer Festival celebrates the 75th anniversary of theMargaret Island Open-air Stage with theater performances for adultsand children. Musicals, dance shows and several concerts are on

from June 15 to August 31.Major August programs include Carmen Souza world music concert,De Cobre: Between Two Fires Gypsy-Hungarian Flamenco Fusion,Roma Hungaricum: Evergreens and Classicals slightly differentlyconcert, Ferenc Erkel: King Stephen opera, and Benk Dixieland Band:Face to Face concert.

> 2013 marks the 21st anniversary of Sziget Festival, which will beheld on August 5-12. It is one of the largest music festivals in theworld and certainly the best party-filled week of the year inHungary. Around 400,000 people come every August to 'Sziget' for aweek of music and entertainment. The organizers team up every yearto present the hottest concerts featuring well known internationalartists, the best of Hungarian bands as well as rising stars.

> On August 17-20 the Festival of Folk Arts brings the finestHungarian craftsmen and their work to Buda Castle from across thecountry. A variety of different folk crafts are included, ranging from

woodcarving to egg painting and visitors can take part in many ofthe activities, as well as enjoy live folk music and danceperformances.Just like many othe r festival s in Budapest and Hungary, the Festivalof Folk Arts is a celebration of the famous Hungarian gastronomywith wine and palinka tasting, traditional Hungarian dishes anddelicious home-made pastries. The festival is timed to coincide withthe St. Stephen's Day celebrations.

> August 20th is the greatest national holiday for Hungarians,celebrated with day-long festivities followed by spectacularfireworks throughout the country. August 20th - also called as St.Stephen's Day - commemorates the foundation of the Hungarianstate, remembering Stephen I, the first king and founder of theKingdom of Hungary, who was canonized on August 20.Festivities start in the morning with the raising of the Hungarian flagin Kossuth Square and continue on all day long, culminating in aspectacular fireworks display over the Danube. The main events

include the procession of St. Stephen's Holy Right Hand around theBasilica, the Court of St. Stephen, a historical play house, archeryshows, a water parade and an air show along the embankments ofthe Danube.

> The Jewish Summer Festival of Budapest from August 25 toSeptember 1, is generally known to be a non-religious culturalevent series.The program of the festival is consciously multi-artistic and multi-cultural. Classical, Klezmer, world-music, jazz and pop-music fansalike will find the performances to their taste, just like those whowish to enjoy plastic art, film and dance.The center of the event is the spectacular Great Synagogue inDohny Street. Programs include concerts at the Rumbach StreetSynagogue and at the Great Synagogue, movie screenings at UrniaTheatre and much more.

> Van Gogh, My Dream Exhibition in theVAM Design Center displays the 200 mostimportant works of Vincent van Gogh. Theworks are digitally restored and have beenprinted photographically to the highestquality and are specially lighted. Part of theexhibition consists of seven 3D animations,that bring well-known paintings from 2Dinto motion in 3D. Visitors will feel thatthey are rediscovering the works. Visitorsto the exhibition receive special 3D glassesto enjoy these animations.

> Gouba is a regularly scheduled artmarket in the Gozsdu courtyard everSunday from 10 am to 7 pm. Touristslocals are invited for a refreshing wathe heart of the city. Gouba entertaiparticular and open-minded visitors unique works by representative artistcraftsmen, designers and antquarianswell as valuable works of art and antAn even more unique ambience is crby the young musicians who play weknown and new jazz compositions todelight of the audience.

PROGRAMS IN AUGUSTRECOMMENDED BY THE

CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPESTCONCIERGE TEAM

AUGUST IS OFTEN REFERRED TO BE THE HOTTEST MONTH OF THEYEAR AS WELL AS THE PEAK TIME FOR FESTIVALS

For further information and reservations, please contact the Concierge.Tams UngrChief Concierge

TABLE RESERVATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION: +36 1 479-4800 or [email protected] facebook.com/corinthiahotelbud

WORKING TOGETHERTO MAKE THE DREAMSOF SICK CHILDREN COME TRUE

SUPPORTING CHILDREN> Corinthia Hotel Budapest believes that as well as guaranteeing maximum guest satisfactis equally important to act as a role model in the area of corporate social responsibility. Atend of 2012 we finalized a strategic cooperation agreement with the Csodalmpa (Magic LaWish Fulfilling Foundation, now in its 10th year of operation. We have a common purpose: help people in need. The Magic Lamp Wish Fulfilling Foundation makes the wishes and hopchildren who suffer from life-threatening diseases come true, giving them unforgettableexperiences and breaking the dull routine of hospital treatment. The foundation actingtogether with generous, supportive individuals and companies has been fulfilling wishes snovember 2003, in which time it has made the dreams of around 2,000 seriously ill childrcome true. It is our intention to contribute to this worthy cause and brighten up the lives oneedy children in 2013.

THE EXCELLENT EXHIBITIONS AND FAIRS CANT BE MISSED

THE ROYAL FLOWERHOME & INTERIOR> Recently reopened, The Royal Flower outlet is located next to the main entrance. Jthere are no two people alike, so no two flowers are the same. We are pleased to meeparticular requirements and design concepts, whether its for a simple bouquet of flowdecorative elements for a conference or banquet, or that very special wedding.

Wedding consultancy | Flower delivery | Event decorationCorinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsbet krt 43-49, 1073 Budapest, next to the main entrance+36 20 923 1965 | +36 20 499 5353 | [email protected] | andifiore.hu

FESTIVALS ...

your corinthia magazine | 2013 august

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