Passport Series

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

The Passport Series is a weekly destination themed takeout food and beverage offering. It transports members to a different place through a four-course prix fixe takeout menu that is hot, ready to eat with a paired beverage. The menu reflects the culture and traditional food and beverage offerings of the destination country as researched by our culinary and beverage teams. The talent and creativity of our Food & Beverage team is really showcased through the wide variety of flavors and presentations. With the world as our oyster, the possibilities are virtually endless for how we can enhance the member experience through the Passport Series.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The Passport Series idea was implemented in October 2020 as a way to safely provide our members with value and variety through food and beverage. We chose countries that would excite the members' palates. The culinary team has also been challenged, gaining knowledge of and experience with other cuisines that don’t always appear on a country club menu along the journey. It has been rewarding to produce a new menu each week that allows our team the creativity to explore and test recipes from around the world. At times it gets personal when cultural backgrounds, travel or previous work experience contribute to the cuisine and has allowed our team to showcase where they are from and cook meals that they grew up on.

We create a luggage tag that is attached to the carry out bag for each meal with the country’s airport code, date and menu as a guide through the meal as well as a keepsake. The meals are provided hot, ready to eat with a paired beverage. Additional beverage offerings are provided as enhancements for members to upgrade their experience and for us to increase beverage revenue. Orders are taken via our event registration system so that we have some advance notice of demand. We typically continue to take orders up until 24 hours in advance. The member response has been tremendous. We regularly sell out at approximately 50 orders that serve two each. After the success of our first scheduled Passport Series, we added to the Series with Christmas Around the World, Ski Destinations, and Springs Break Havens at times polling the membership for their travel recommendations. Positive comments are shared through our member feedback tool and emails to staff. Multiple member couples have gathered together to enjoy the meal using it as an easy and interesting way to entertain at home. Families have taken the opportunity to educate their children as we provide a children’s meal option as well. Members have shared photos of themselves enjoying their meal at home in thematic attire. It has been a great way to connect with our members and has them excited to learn where we will voyage next! Members have asked us to keep the Passport Series alive. The Passport concept is likely something that will transcend the pandemic and find a permanent place at the Club.