The winning bid was based on the shared “extreme hospitality” philosophy through a joint venture – TPA Hospitality Partners – featuring Delaware North and Tampa-area entrepreneurs Jeff Vinik, owner of Tampa Bay Lightning; Maryann Ferenc, owner of Mise en Place Hospitality Group; Tyrone Nabbie, owner of Superior Hospitality Group; and Caroline Ellerson, owner of Green Clay Concessionaires.

“This is a tremendous win for us,” said Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North’s travel hospitality business. “We wanted to bring a powerhouse food and beverage partnership to Tampa that would blend the best of our airport experience with local investment and high-energy culinary expertise to provide superior hospitality while establishing Tampa International Airport as a dining destination.”

The breadth of Delaware North was key, Kelly stressed, along with the company’s commitment to local partnerships.

“Through Delaware North Sportservice, we had an established relationship with Jeff Vinik. Delaware North Sportservice provides food service operations at Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning,” Kelly said. “We sought the best local culinary expertise from Tampa’s trendy food scene, which led us to partner with Maryann Ferenc, widely recognized for influencing the development of Tampa’s culinary landscape for over 29 years. Rounding out the team with two local Tampa Bay quick serve and destination-themed food service entrepreneurs Caroline Ellerson and Tyrone Nabbie solidified our proposal’s emphasis on local sourcing, local concepts and local involvement.”

TPA Hospitality’s winning proposals will deliver a line-up of culinary offerings that reflect Tampa’s lifestyle and iconic restaurants as well as quick service category leaders.

At the top of the list of local favorites is The Café by Mise En Place. A casual interpretation of the original Mise en Place, The Café is designed to provide an approachable, high-quality culinary experience that features the unique Mise en Place take on familiar foods. This casual full service restaurant features Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a Bar that starts as a Tea Bar in the morning and transitions through Tea Cocktails in the Afternoon to Craft Cocktails in the evening, is all about creative cuisine that offers a delightful spectrum of simple and intricate dishes.

RumFish Grill will be a casual dining location housing an 8-foot-tall cylindrical aquarium framed by a giant marlin inside the restaurant. The menu will feature cutting-edge seafood dishes made with freshly caught fish from in and around Florida waters. The restaurant will adhere to sustainable fishing practices so that only species representing thriving populations will be included in the menu. A unique partnership with the Florida Aquarium and popular televisions series “Tanked” will deliver educational entertainment focused on local marine life.

Four Green Fields will be a sister location to its street level site that is locally owned and operated. Quintessential travelers will quickly discern this Irish Pub with its authentic thatch roof, a staff that treats Guinness with the respect it deserves, Irish cuisine and a warm mix of Irish/Southern hospitality.

Travelers will also have a chance to enjoy several local favorites such as New York New York Pizza and Duomo Gelato, as well as choose from a lineup of popular quick-pick restaurants, including Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, PDQ and Auntie Anne’s.

The redevelopment of the Airport’s concessions program will be phased in over the next 24 months.

About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our 60,000 employee associates are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving more than a half-billion guests annually. Delaware North has annual revenue of $3 billion in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries. “Delaware North” is a reference to Delaware North Companies Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including location-specific operating entities. Learn more about Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, at www.DelawareNorth.com.

Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter

Media Contact:
Victoria Hong
Director-Corporate Communications
716-858-5420