SAN FRANCISCO—In partnership with Marshall’s Farm, cxecutive chef jW Foster of The Fairmont San Francisco has installed honey beehives in the hotel’s new culinary garden in order to help support the bee population, which has decreased in number by 90 percent since the 1980s. Beekeepers established four nascent beehives, each containing approximately 20,000 bees, in the culinary garden that is located outdoors on the hotel’s lobby level. When the beehives mature in four to eight weeks, they will each house up to 50,000 bees.
The United States Department of Agriculture believes a virus is responsible for the collapse of honey bee colonies. This situation is often called “CCD” or Colony Collapse Disorder. Without honey bees, pollination is not possible. The decrease of the honey bee population is extremely significant since one out of three mouthfuls in the diet is affected by the honey bee population.
Foster describes the installation as the first step in cultivating a culinary garden which eventually will measure 1,000 square feet. He will soon add rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, chives and cilantro to the lavender which now grows in the garden. Guests can view the culinary garden through floor to ceiling windows in the foyer leading to the hotel’s Pavilion Room.
One of Many Examples of Stewardship
“The cultivation of honey beehives marks the latest step in The Fairmont’s history of environmental stewardship,” says Tom Klein, regional vice president and general manager of The Fairmont San Francisco. “Our hotel has been part of the fabric of San Francisco for more than a century and its success can be contributed to an enduring commitment to the local community and environment.”
This year the beehives will produce approximately 250 pounds of honey which will be served to hotel guests as part of The Fairmont’s commitment to offering local, organic, sustainable cuisine. This home-harvested honey will be used in soups, salad dressings, pastries, ice cream and as an accompaniment to the hotel’s time-honored afternoon tea service.
The Fairmont is currently the only hotel in San Francisco to raise honey bees. Honey beehives can also be found at The Fairmont Dallas; The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto; The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver; The Fairmont Algonquin in St. Andrews, Canada; The Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan, China; and The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club.
Headquartered in American Canyon, Calif., Spencer and Helene Marshall of Marshall’s Farm have been producing award-winning organic honey since 1993. They currently operate beehives throughout Northern California and their honey is served at The Culinary Institute of America. For more information about Marshall’s Farm, visit www.marshallshoney.com.
Go to The Fairmont San Francisco.
