Food Services
Information on meals including a sample menu can be found on the Dining web page.
The Dining Room
At Star Island we believe that sharing a common meal with friends and family, trying new foods together while discussing the day’s events, is an important yet often neglected social institution.
Some meals are served buffet style, whereas some are served as a sit down, family-style meal. Mobility-impaired individuals are welcome to enter the dining hall five minutes or so before a meal. We encourage “open seating” in the dining room so that conferees from various groups may mingle, leading to the “one island” experience. However, if you would prefer assigned tables for your conference, please let us know.
Special Accomodations
We strive to do our best in accommodating needs and provide vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options at every meal. Every effort is made to provide interesting, delicious, and balanced meals, but if someone is unsatisfied with what is provided, all may help themselves to the peanut butter and jelly table (always available for kids and others), purchase food from the snack bar during its hours of operation, or speak to the dining room host/hostess about potential available alternatives.
People with extremely limited food tolerances may wish to bring their own supplemental food that does not entail preparation by the kitchen staff, such as microwavable meals, gluten-free bread, etc.; rate adjustments are not possible. Guests coming to Star Island bringing their own food due to dietary restrictions will be allowed to bring extra luggage to allow for such.
Prior to arrival, we encourage these guests to contact John Bynum, Food Service Manager at jbynum@starisland.org, who will be happy to provide the conference menu, discuss ingredients, and determine the best course of action to ensure that everyone can enjoy their stay.
Conference Food Orders
Aside from meals, each conference has the option to order additional food and beverages through the island for events such as morning coffee, social hour, marshmallow roasts and ice cream socials. Conferences must submit a Food Order Form (the last tab of your Conference Schedule) 2 weeks prior to a conference. We will always try to accommodate last minute requests, but this may lead to items being unavailable to your conferees.
Food For Youth Programs
As part of the Food Order Form, conferences may request food by way of snacks for regularly scheduled youth programs. In an effort to offer what youth find appetizing, please coordinate with your conference’s youth programming leadership to communicate any special requests to Conference Services. Snacks normally provided to youth include fruit, crackers, and juice.
Food Service Policies
- Alcohol is not allowed in the dining room under any circumstances.
- Our kitchen facilities cannot be used by guests.
- Refrigeration is available in Newton Centre for conference use. Refrigerators are available at the First Aid Station and in the accessible bathroom located in the lobby for locked storage of medications and another is available on the second floor of the hotel for baby food. Conferees with special foods requiring refrigeration can make arrangements with the front desk.
- Ice can be obtained at the snack bar during regular hours.