Centerplate’s UK division has been managing the catering at the 7,500 seat Copper Box Arena since July 2013, and the 10 year remit includes providing catering services for: the London Lions Basketball Team now based at Copper Box Arena; all sporting events, including the series of world-class boxing matches staged by leading boxing promoter Frank Warren; concerts, conferences and dinners; together with a café. Centerplate will also manage the sales and marketing for conferences, dinners and events.
The Copper Box Café is the central hub of the day-to-day catering operations and Centerplate will provide a catering offering that will appeal to a wide demographic of customers ranging from the local community, gym members and local employees as well as visitors to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
At the Copper Box Café, which has 40 covers plus seating outside, Centerplate will offer wholesome, freshly cooked dishes featuring seasonal and local produce. A choice of healthy options and children’s menus will be offered alongside a selection of home-made cakes and pastries, baguettes, paninis, and weekly changing ‘specials’.
For large scale sporting and other events, Centerplate will install mobile catering units, pop-up bars and restaurants to enhance the visitor’s experience.
Centerplate is employing and training local people, and has pledged to work with local boroughs to introduce an apprenticeship scheme. The scheme will take on apprentices who will study for a degree in hospitality and gain real job experience whilst they develop their skills.
Robert Jamieson, procurement manager from GLL, said: “We had a very rigorous process when selecting our catering partners for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and they needed to demonstrate that their approach and business is fully aligned with the GLL and LLDC’s commitment to deliver a lasting legacy which benefits both the local community and the whole of Britain and British sport.”
Adam Elliott, president of Centerplate’s UK division, added: “It really is a tremendous privilege to be part of the lasting legacy of the 2012 London Olympics. We will meet the varied visitor demand through attention to detail and the creation of a food and beverage offer that is synonymous with the GLL’s strategic objective; to make community services and spaces better for everyone.”