There's nothing I love more than a great Marriott cheeseburger and French fries. Boy, I just love French fries. I started cooking French fries back in 1950 when I worked in the Hot Shoppes in Salt Lake City. And all my boys joined the company when they were 15 and 16 and worked first cooking French fries in the Hot Shoppes. So I love French fries.
We serve over 6 million pounds of French fries every year and people love them. Unfortunately, we've all learned that the oil we use to cook French fries with is a source of trans-fat, and today that's not good. We know it's been linked to obesity and heart disease.
Recently, the city of New York got a lot of attention for banning trans-fats at all their restaurants. Our team at Marriott has been working on taking these trans-fats out for a long time, for over 8 years.
We've already eliminated these trans-fats from breads, salad dressings, pancake and waffle mixes, muffins, croissants and cookies at all of our hotels in North America. But finding a tasty substitute for cooking French fries, chicken fingers, crab cakes, and other fried food has really been hard. We tested a lot of substitutes at our Marriott World Center in Orlando and our test kitchens here in Washington, and finally found a trans-fat free cooking oil that people really love.
So, beginning February 15th, there won't be anymore trans-fats in the oil we use to cook your French fries or any other fried foods. We care about our customers, and getting rid of those trans-fats is the latest way we show we care. So keep moving, and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Thank you for taking initiative by substituting healthier ingredients in the foods you serve. This is my first time staying at a Marriott, and my family and I have noticed nothing but superior quality. I wish there were more Marriotts all over the country, because over the course of the 31 days that I have stayed at the Residence Inn Bricktown/Downtown OKC, I have encountered nothing but great hospitality and excellent accomodations.
Your breakfast bar has a variety of foods, some healthier than others. I have enjoyed the granola bits, raisins, and light yogurt provided.
Posted by: Mark | 03/13/2007 at 11:26 AM
The burgers are good, but does not beat a good hot dog... and Harbor Beach Resort and Camelback Golf Club have best. I wish all Marriott's had hot dogs that good.
Posted by: Eric | 02/20/2007 at 05:53 AM
Well Mr. Marriott, that is quite an accomplishment. Before I congratulate you however, I'll try some on my next stay. I hope you are right because I also love fries. On the other hand, thank you for your efforts in this arena.
Posted by: Bill Burnard | 02/14/2007 at 02:05 PM
hi bill, as a platinum customer sometimes there's nothing better than geting in late and having that great marriott burger sent up!! had the pleasure of meeting you and yoiur wife at the ritz carlton in st thomas a few years back..we even got married at a marriott!
Posted by: richard bogash | 02/11/2007 at 03:08 PM
Mr. Marriott,
I just learned of your Blog recently while reading a hotel industry publication. I am very impressed that you have embraced this medium as a way to reach out to customers and employees.
Posted by: David | 02/09/2007 at 06:50 AM
As a Platinum member, I spend alot of time on the road and eat out way too much. When you are on the go, racing through airports and hotels, the capacity for bad eating habits is enormous. Thank you for putting so much thought into what you serve. I may eat 40-50 meals this year in your restaurants in addition to the room service calls, so it is a relief to know that I can do so and still maintain a healthy diet.
Posted by: Chuck Bonfig | 02/06/2007 at 03:03 AM
It is interesting to know about your research to make your foods healthy for your customers. I read about the extent of research McDonalds did about keeping the levels of French fries consistent, starting from the Idaho potatoes to the frying temperatures. Please read it if you have not done so already!
Posted by: Badri | 02/05/2007 at 05:21 PM
It is great to see you care about your customers health, although the trans-fat contained food is really delicious, peoples health comes before taste and we should see more of this with other big names too. Others could learn from this and start to do the same thing and the Marriott will become a good role model to others... trans-fat food wise.
Posted by: Nic Walsh | 02/05/2007 at 02:40 PM
Bill,
Kudos to Marriott for making sure its guests have a healthier way to enjoy the menu!
Posted by: Rebecca | 02/05/2007 at 01:50 PM