photo courtesy: Ithaca CVB; credit: Kristian Reynolds
a communal sense of welcome about them.
Over the course of twenty-four hours, I spoke with over a dozen Ithacans, and they all struck me as being akin to Californians in their respective senses of commitment to their homes away from home, i.e.,most stated they don’t actually hail fromthis neck of the woods,however, not one of them ever plans on leaving.
The people’s roots run as deep as those gorgeous gorges, and they seem as per- manent, too. There’s a sense of attaining height here – going higher up the ridge- line to get to yet another significant desti- nation, or, to view the horizon-filled scenery below; a higher education at famed Cornell University and at nearby Ithaca College...
Or,maybe, obtaining a room on the high- est floor (the 14th) of The Statler Hotel, a jewel of a property set atop the mantle of the Cornell Campus, which perches thrillingly on East Hill and over the navy blue lake that’s in the near distance.
That night I stared outward,hypnotized by the twinkling lights emanating fromSouth Hill - the humped valley across the way. In the distance, I saw buoys blinking red at passing barges as they sluiced along the broad lake. Then,by the light of morning, the university spread out before me like some stone-clad and gabled scene from a Harry Potter movie set.
Operated as part of the J.Willard Marriott Executive Education Center at Cornell University, and utilizing over 225 students who work in varying capacities within,the 153-room Statler is, without a doubt, the number one lodging property of its size and scope in Ithaca. Opened in 1950 as
La Tourelle
photo courtesy: Ithaca CVB; credit: Kristian Reynolds
an experiment in furthering Cornell stu- dents in the arts of a good hotel educa- tion, the property now offers elevated service experiences to go with its view, and with the business and culinary-orien- tations of its sophisticated setting.
There’s an impressive 87-seat amphithe- ater and seven conveniently located breakout rooms. The appropriately ele- gant Carrier Grand Ballroom has seating for 276;while the Alice Statler Auditorium has theater-style seating for 700 (and a lot of graduates and alumnus).
Taverna Banfi, the hotel’s signature restau- rant, is a rustically-stellar showcase for regional American foods and for world famous Banfi wines, its key collaborating partner.
As a former HRM student (Widener University), I made it a point throughout my visit to take in the teams of service staffers and witness their hands-on work- ing standards. I tried to keenly observe their actions and reactions through a bevy of varied situations.
Who says that the youth of today do not understand customer service and lack in the skills it takes to retain and uphold the highest levels of guest satisfaction? The thrill I got from witnessing these young people - most still in their teens - who are learning how to bestow the utmost in hos- pitality, from the cordial greeting I received by the valet as I pulled up (“Welcome,
Mr.Alan!”), to the sunny, legit- imate smile that went with my check-in and subsequent departure. In between, a sterling lunch buffet at Taverna Banfi was enjoyed with Statler Hotel generalmanag- er, Richard Adie ('75), conference center director Ann Mary Herson, and Ithaca CVB director of sales,Mary Rachun.
Buttermilk Falls, photo courtesy: Ithaca CVB; credit: Kristian Reynolds
We dined amid the rich confines of this modern/medieval castello. Its fulfilling buffet was hearty and also healthful: an elegant grilled chicken masala was enjoyed by some, curried wheatberry salad with arugula (a light yet filling mid- day fave of mine), by me. Unobtrusive and friendly (and surprisingly relaxed and confident), the restaurant managers, servers, bussers, cooks, kitchen staffers and instructors all worked harmoniously to maintain a balanced experience.
Even with but one lunch it was evident: The Statler Hotel at Cornell University is a true breeding ground for the future of our country’s lodging industry.
This luncheon with these esteemed ambassadors was an especially rewarding one for me, both professionally and per- sonally. I have long been an admirer of The Mariani Family, owners of Banfi Vintners. Their overall commitment to the wine industry, to Cornell University and its school of Hotel Administration,and to the hospitality industry in general is utterly laudable. Too, I am an avid reader and deep admirer of the contributions to the American restaurant industry by that strong inspirer, John Mariani - one of the nation’s top restaurant voices and advo- cates, and a true food and lodging indus- try landscape shaper. (Mariani scribes for Esquire magazine; is a multi-published food and restaurant author; and the weekly publisher and lead author for Mariani’s Virtual Gourmet newsletter. Check it out at
www.johnmariani.com)
Theman is evermy food sage,travel guide and teacher (even if he doesn’t know it).
I am wended by Mary through Cornell U. - countless sculptures and stone walls are arrayed throughout the perfectly mani-
Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 69
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