Dec 18, 2013

Michigan Inspired Restaurants by HMSHost at Gerald R. Ford International Airport Are Cause For Celebration

Company’s Denver and Atlanta Programs Recognized for Excellence in Airport Dining

GRAND RAPIDS, MI —Today, global restaurateur HMSHost and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport celebrated the recent opening of the airport’s new restaurant lineup with a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception. The event was held inside the brand new Bell’s Brewhouse, aWest Michigan favorite. More cause for celebration included the opening of HMSHost’s restaurant, Greens, which features healthy, fresh dishes, and the refurbishing of an existing Starbucks. Each new restaurant is located inside the airport, which is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary at its current location.

“I am very pleased with the additions and changes to Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s concessions,” said Kent County Department of Aeronautics Executive Director Brian Ryks, A.A.A.E. “We are proud to say that airport guests now have access to dining and retail options that capture the essence of West Michigan, and this incorporation of area businesses into our airport could not have been made possible without our committed partner, HMSHost.”

Bell’s Brewhouse, located in the airport’s pre-security Grand Hall Food Court, serves award-winning craft beers alongside a modified version of Bell’s own Eccentric Café menu. Dishes like the pork tacos or the popular Zingerman’s soft pretzels served with mustard made with Bell’s beer go great with Bell’s famous Kalamazoo beers. Also in the Grand Hall, travelers will find Greens, a restaurant that is focused on personalization and offers healthy and nutritious food any time of day. A variety of crisp greens, vegetables, cheeses, and savory meats can be found in the delicious entrée sized salads.

Only the freshest regional ingredients are used in the recipes in these restaurants at Gerald R. Ford International. Sourcing locally enhances flavors and ensures quality, and items like Michigan honey, Great Lakes Fuji apples, and Traverse City cherries do not have to travel very far before reaching the airport. A favorite in the Ann Arbor community, Zingerman’s Bakehouse provides baked goods for Bell’s, and further, depending on seasonality, the restaurants use locally-sourced produce such as cucumbers, blueberries, and strawberries.

“Today we celebrated the greatness of Michigan with the welcome of some fantastic, locally relevant restaurants,” said HMSHost Senior Director of Business Development Bryan Loden. “We are thrilled at how these restaurants look, as well as the amazing food and drinks that they serve. The airport has been a superb partner and we look forward to continuing to serve Michigan’s travelers for many years.