TORONTO — Marriott Hotels created a trio of special moments for 21 of its loyalty members last week when the company hosted a special evening featuring a cookoff between Toronto Maple Leafs alumni Shayne Corson and Darcy Tucker, an opportunity to get up close and personal with the Stanley Cup and tickets to a hockey game featuring the Maple Leafs and the Dallas Stars.
As part of the cookoff, held at the Sheraton Centre, Tucker and Corson — who also happen to be brothers-in-law — each had to prepare a dish that was then judged by Sheraton Centre executive chef Andre Walker. Corson, whose family owned and operated a restaurant in Barrie, Ont. for many years, prepared a pasta dish while Tucker’s dish featured a shrimp stir fry.
The former hockey players noted eating patterns have changed significantly for hockey players since they were in the NHL. “When we were playing, we used to eat a lot of pasta and pizza,” Corson told Hotelier magazine. “Back when I was playing, we didn’t’ really concentrate on nutrition as much,” agreed Tucker. “But nutrition is a huge part of the game of hockey today, so guys take care of themselves a lot better than we did when we played.”
While the players prepared a pasta dish and a shrimp stir fry, both admitted to being “meat-and-potatoes” men. Having grown up in Alberta, Tucker said steak and mashed potatoes were his go-to dishes. Similarly, Corson said steak and chicken are his personal favourites.
Last week’s event is the first of several Moments Masterclasses, which were introduced last year, are available exclusively for Marriott and SPG rewards members as a result of Marriott International’s roster of global brands, property amenities and partnerships — in this case, Marriott International’s Canadian partnership with the NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The company’s investment in PlacePass/Marriott Moments will offer 100,000 new experiences in 800 destinations for members and non-members alike — further solidifying Marriott as a go-to travel company for consumers. Earlier this year, the company surpassed 100-million members and is adding a robust one-million new net members every month.
