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Indianapolis, IN – March
2021 / Newsmaker Alert /
Centerplate,
a Sodexo company and the leading hospitality
partner to North America’s premier sports entertainment venues, announces
an array of specialty menu options and enhanced safety protocols for Lucas
Oil Stadium.
Centerplate
– the exclusive catering partner to Lucas Oil Stadium and a Sodexo company
– is known for serving creative and exciting menu items at the world-class
venue and hundreds of other leading entertainment destinations around North
America. In Indianapolis specifically, it is a program rooted in traditional
Heartland dishes and Hoosier hospitality, and is regularly ranked #1 in
Stadium Journey’s “Best Stadium Experience” annual list.
This
is the third time the Centerplate team has hosted the championship event
at Lucas Oil Stadium, including 2010 and 2015. This year’s iteration is
one-of-a-kind though, as the team will host 15 games over 8 event days,
with hundreds of employees stepping up the occasion.
“The
top priority will be the health and safety of fans, players and our staff,”
said Steve Pangburn, CEO, Centerplate / Sodexo Sports & Leisure. “Our
heightened protocols are in place to help everyone feel confident, safe
and comfortable, and our menu items have also been dialed up a notch to
meet the moment of one of the most exciting sporting events that our industry
has to offer.”
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Among
the specific changes to the food and beverage program in-venue:
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100% cashless
points of sale to reduce contact; fans who don’t have credit cards can
exchange cash for gift cards to use on gameday
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Individually
packaged flatware
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Portion-controlled
condiments
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Transitioned
foodservice to individual packaging and closed containers
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Gloves
and masks required for all food-service employees
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Social
distance markings to encourage and promote distancing guidelines in common
areas
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The Rise
with Sodexo program is the company’s systematic approach to embracing
this new world and adapting to new safety environment
Experienced
Leadership
Centerplate’s
team at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium is led by District
Manager Justin Kizima and General Manager Lynda Fonderoli. Fonderoli is
hosting this event for the 7th time, the third time at Lucas Oil Stadium,
having been with Centerplate for 28+ years, hosting all the milestone occasions
and big games that come to town on a regular basis.
Broadly,
Sodexo’s global gender balance strategy is a key driver to ensure that
both women and men have equal access to growth and opportunities in the
workplace and communities. Since 2009, Sodexo’s global gender advisory
board has been dedicated to driving gender balance by advancing women at
all levels of the organization. To date, 35%+ of the North America Regional
Leadership Committee and 60% of Sodexo board of directors are women.
Caring
for the Community
Centerplate
also is committed to donating excess food at the end of the tournament
to local groups like Second Helpings and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.
Throughout
2020, for reference, Second Helpings served, on average, 8,000 meals daily
and transitioned from community meal to meals packaged for home delivery.
During this time, the group received nearly 30,000 pounds of food from
Centerplate at Lucas Oil Stadium, which was used to prepare nutritious
meals for the community at its Hunger Relief kitchen or was distributed
to food pantries and other social service agencies.
Culinary
Excellence
Leading
the culinary efforts is Chef Shimelis Adem, who has also hosted three college
basketball championships at the stadium, as well as the Super Bowl.
The
local culinary team, as a way to virtually bring a taste of the arena to
fans watching at home, has also compiled digital recipe cards that will
be promoted on social channels during the event – featuring signature items
that are the ideal complement to any at-home viewing experience.
Affectionately
referred to as Chef Shumu, his highlights of the gameday menu include fan-favorite
items on the general and club concourses:
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Half-Pound
Bracket Burger: all-natural Angus beef double cheeseburger topped with
housemade applewood smoked bacon jam, melted cheddar and crispy onions
on a fresh baked roll
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Heartland
Beer Cheese Steak Sandwich: locally sourced shaved beef sirloin, topped
with Sun King Brewing Wee Mac Scottish Ale cheese fondue on a freshly baked
hoagie roll
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Indiana
Whiskey Sour Pork Wings: locally sourced smoked pork wings glazed with
a housemade whiskey and orange marmalade
Vegan
and Gluten-Free items for the more health-conscious fans:
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IMPOSSIBLE
Loaded Peppers: roasted tri-colored sweet bell peppers with meat substitute,
drizzled with a housemade sweet chili glaze
And
in the premium hospitality spaces, specialties include:
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Midwestern
Madness Pork Chop Sandwich: boneless grilled pork chop marinated in
a signature Mango Habanero Madness Sauce, with aged cheddar, grilled kale
and caramelized sweet pineapple on a brioche bun
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Hoosier
Fried Chicken Sandwich: cast iron skillet fried green tomatoes, sharp
cheddar pimento spread on a fresh baked brioche bun
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Horseradish
Crusted Beef Tenderloin Croissant: locally sourced Legacy Maker roasted
beef tenderloin, oven-dried tomatoes, fines herbs, caramelized onions and
brie, with a spicy horseradish sauce
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Chilled
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: served with Indianapolis’ own St. Elmo’s famous
horseradish cocktail sauce and lemon wedges
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The
Ultimate Hoagie: Smoking Goose Lomo, Dodge City Salami, Capocollo de
Dorman and Salame Cotto with pickled Giardiniera, kalamata and baby greens
on sourdough
Locally
Made Handcrafted Desserts:
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chocolate
truffles and chocolate dipped caramels locally produced by Best Chocolates
in Town, Indy’s beloved chocolate shop providing handmade treats to Hoosiers
for over 20 years
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an assortment
of basketball and team logo themed sugar cookies, hand painted by local
baker Katie Maurer from Cute as a Button in Carmel, Indiana
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local
artisan baker Ghyslain Maurais, of Ghyslain Chocolatier, has created
a specialty gourmet center court chocolate duo
There
will also be a trio of specially souvenir craft cocktails for age-appropriate
attendees, showcasing local products from Oliver Winery and 1205 Distillery.
Fans
can find out more about the culinary approach, broader foodservice safety
protocols and much more at Sodexo
USA.
About
Centerplate / Sodexo Sports & Leisure
Each
year, the combination of Sodexo and Centerplate enhances the level of services
provided to more than 116 million guests across premier venues in North
America, such as stadiums, arenas, conventions centers, museum, zoos, aquariums
and more. Through consumer research, innovation and local personalization,
we are positioned to deliver an unrivaled array of services to successfully
contribute to offer a memorable experience for the guests in our partner
venues.
From
hosting VIPs at the Super Bowl to superheroes at Comic Con, the company
provides hospitality services to North America’s premier events. Click
here to learn more.
Media
Contact:
Paul
Pettas
Director
of Communications
and
Public Relations
203-898-0632
Sodexo |