

Eating at a Meeting
Tracy Stuckrath, CFPM, CMM, CSEP, CHC
Eating at a Meeting explores a variety of topics on food and beverage (F&B) and how they impact individual experience and inclusion, sustainability, culture, community, health and wellness, laws and more.
The mission of Eating at a Meeting is to share authentic stories that illustrate the financial, social, emotional, and mental impact food and beverage have on individuals, organizations, and the earth. I see it being threefold:
● Help individuals and organizations understand how F&B
impacts employee, customer and guest experience, the
planet and the bottom line.
● Help those growing, producing, preparing, and serving
F&B understand the duty of care they hold in food safety
and inclusion as well as the opportunity they have to
create experiences that are safe and inclusive.
● Support those with dietary needs by gathering their
insight on eating at a meeting with dietary needs,
helping them better advocate for themselves and
educating them on the processes found on the other
side of the kitchen door.
The mission of Eating at a Meeting is to share authentic stories that illustrate the financial, social, emotional, and mental impact food and beverage have on individuals, organizations, and the earth. I see it being threefold:
● Help individuals and organizations understand how F&B
impacts employee, customer and guest experience, the
planet and the bottom line.
● Help those growing, producing, preparing, and serving
F&B understand the duty of care they hold in food safety
and inclusion as well as the opportunity they have to
create experiences that are safe and inclusive.
● Support those with dietary needs by gathering their
insight on eating at a meeting with dietary needs,
helping them better advocate for themselves and
educating them on the processes found on the other
side of the kitchen door.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 27, 2021 • 42min
88: Blueberries, Strawberries, Oh My!
For June — fresh fruits and vegetable month — Tracy chats with James Beard Award winning cookbook author and chef Cynthia Graubart who recently published two cookbooks using blueberries and strawberries. With both savory and sweet recipes (food and drink), Tracy and Cynthia talk about the simplicitiy of her recipes, the history of both fruits and how to enjoy these summer treats in a variety of ways. www.cynthiagraubart.com Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jul 20, 2021 • 27min
87: Celebrating Independence & Freedom
What does independence and freedom mean when it comes to Eating at a Meeting? Tracy talks about how to create dining experience that give every guest the opporunity to independently and freely eat at an event. Useful Links https://thrivemeetings.com/2018/07/celebrating-independence/ https://thrivemeetings.com/2020/07/celebrating-independence-in-2020-food-insecure/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jul 13, 2021 • 51min
86: Inclusive: The New Exclusive in Food Service
Heather Landex is Food Safety Expert, Inclusivity Consultant & Trainer for Restaurants & Food Service Industry in Denmark and across the European Union. In her new book, Inclusive: The New Exclusive in Food Service How the Food service Industry Can Stop Leaving Money on the Table," she talks about how to earn more revenue while reducing risk. In this episode, Tracy and Heather chat about ways meeting professionals and food service providers can create more inclusive dining experiences so everyone can eat. Useful Links www.heatherlandex.com https://www.facebook.com/heatherlandex1 https://www.instagram.com/heatherlandex/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherlandex/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jul 6, 2021 • 40min
85: How to Host a Virtual Cocktail & Tasting Event
Cocktail and tasting events are important aspects of many events. Now that we've been virtual for a year, what are the best practices for doing them online with attendees from all over the world? How can we ensure those who don't drink alcohol or have dietary needs are included. Join Tracy as she chats with Nicole Hassoun and Thy Parra, founders of Cocktail Curations, about how they have combined their mastery in mixology, culinary arts, spirits, and event planning to create safe, inclusive, delicious and fun virtual food and beverage experiences. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jun 29, 2021 • 44min
84: Don Ross, VP Operations for Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas Region
Tracy sits down with Don Ross, Vice President of Operations for Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas Region just as MPI WEC kicks off. Listen in as they chat about his role, the new Caesars Forum. Useful Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-ross-9665a78/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/caesars-entertainment-inc/ https://www.facebook.com/CaesarsMeetings https://www.instagram.com/caesarsmeansbusiness/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jun 22, 2021 • 38min
83: How Choosing to Go Vegan Changed Her
Learn how swimming champion, author & competitive performance expert Deborah Gardner's life, body, and taste buds change after she and her husband went on a vegan diet. Tracy and Deborah talk about poop, eating vegan on the road, and much more. Useful Links https://www.deborahgardner.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgardner1/ https://www.facebook.com/deborah.gardner01 https://twitter.com/deborahgardner https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKinLWENPhAOfnWsFdqFDW A Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jun 15, 2021 • 43min
82: Mindful Eating - Is it Possible at an Event?
Having a calm and kind presence when sharing a meal can make it more enjoyable and literally digestible for everyone. But is this doable at an event or meeting? the hustle and bustle of getting from sessions to the lunch and back again doesn't usually provide for that kind of opportunity. Corporate Well-Being Consultant Liz Cohen who worked in the hospitality industry for 32 years understands the challenges of eating mindfully at events. Listen in to get her tips on appreciating and being aware of the foods you are eating, taking a mindful moment to taste and smell and helping your attendees do the same. Useful Links www.fghealthcoach.com https://www.facebook.com/fghealthcoach Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jun 8, 2021 • 40min
81: Crafting Inclusive Beverage Experiences
Discover how beverages, just like food, can be a mechanism to creating inclusive experiences in our homes and events! In this episode, Tracy speaks with bartender and the original "Cocktail Guru," Jonathan Pogash, who is committed to sparking creativity and keeping our spirits up with irresistible drinks that appeal to all. Tracy and Jonathan will be chatting about how to shake, muddle and stir refreshing and delicious mocktails and elixirs that can connect people. Whether serving zero proof or 100 proof, gatherings come alive when great drinks are flowing. Useful Links www.thecocktailguru.com www.facebook.com/thecocktailgurupage www.instagram.com/thecocktailguru www.twitter.com/thecocktailguru Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jun 1, 2021 • 1h 2min
80: Negotiating Food & Beverage for Events
Claire Gould has been planning culinary events for major companies such as Delta Airlines, IBM, Coca Cola, and Kimberly Clark, helping meeting hosts decide what guests are going to eat, as well as gives advice on food and beverage choices negotiations and presentations. In this episode, Tracy and Claire chat about best practices to feeding everyone. They talk about dietary needs, the importance of knowing your group and catering history. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

May 27, 2021 • 51min
79: Tracy Reviews a Catered Event
Tracy recently attended a conference in person. Listen to her talk about two food and beverage functions she attended. How accessible they were. Labeling, Consistency of presentation and accessibility. Check out the thrive! meetings & events blog (thrivemeetings.com/blog) for all of the photos she talks about in the episode. Join the Eating at a Meeting Facebook group to share your comments and input on what she talked about. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com