By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
Staff blogger
For the past two years, Ward Catering has elevated Lakesiders’ dining experience, offering freshly prepared meals once a week, serving as the go-to chef for big community events and catering to the many groups visiting the grounds.
This summer, Lakeside Chautauqua is excited to announce that Ward Catering will also be taking over the Hotel Lakeside Dining Room and making several improvements and upgrades to your dining experience.
For starters, unlike previous years, the Dining Room will be open seven days a week, all season long, beginning May 27.
“The biggest change will be the Dining Room’s hours,” says Nickie Ward, co-owner of Ward Catering, along with her husband, Andy. “We will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. The only exception will be Sunday when we serve Brunch from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Then we open back up for dinner at 4 p.m.”
At check-in, Hotel Lakeside and Fountain Inn guests will receive vouchers for a complimentary breakfast during the summer season. The buffet will also be open to all Lakesiders; $18 for adults and $10 for children ages 10 and under.
The Wards want their guests to feel welcomed and enjoy their morning meal with a view. “We’ll be focused on inviting people to eat breakfast in the courtyard,” Nickie says. “We’re adding more tables to this beautiful outdoor space.”
The Wards also installed the latest technology to make your dining experience more convenient. They purchased computers and monitors for quick and easy online ordering. QR codes will be available for fast phone ordering.
This year, Lakesiders will have the option to sit on the Hotel Lakeside porch and take in the views while ordering a meal directly from your phone, tablet or computer, and everything will come out to you.
Room service is also available to Hotel Lakeside guests; however, delivery of meals for the rest of Lakeside won’t be ready until mid-summer.
“Hopefully it will make things very efficient because everything will be up-to-date with the new equipment in the kitchen,” Nickie says. “You can get online from anywhere and order to-go and come to pick it up. We want to keep it within a 15- to 20-minute pickup time.”
Afternoon Tea returns to the historic hotel on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-4 p.m. throughout the season. It will also be available Mother’s Day weekend.
Nickie and Andy are looking forward to their first season running the Hotel Lakeside Dining Room. The goal is to have their plates full all summer.
“We hope that the Dining Room will be a destination for Lakesiders when they visit the grounds,” Nickie said. “We have so many delicious menu options and so much more to offer to enhance their dining experience.”
