The RFP marks the first time that the department is seeking a single company to operate all of the Fair’s year-round dining facilities. They include two rooms in the Art and Home Center|–|the Empire Room restaurant and banquet facility, and the smaller Somerset Room meeting room and banquet facility, along with restaurants in the Center of Progress and the Horticulture buildings.

“The department seeks to work with a company that can make maximum use of all of those facilities, to provide the greatest benefit possible to the people who attend the Fair and our more than 100 other annual events, as well as to taxpayers,” said Richard A. Ball, Acting Commissioner of Agriculture.

In addition, the contractor will provide mobile food service in certain buildings that do not have restaurants but which often hold large trade shows or horse and livestock events. Those buildings include the Exhibit Center and Toyota Coliseum. The winning bidder will also provide catering services for special events and meetings on the Fairgrounds as needed. The contractor may also book and cater special events when facilities are not otherwise in use, such as wedding receptions.

In line with department policy and the Fair’s core mission of promoting agriculture, the restaurants’ operator is asked to promote food and beverages produced in New York.

Bidders will submit sample menus, as well as promotion plans that include foods and beverages made in New York, as part of the evaluation process.

All bidders must certify that they have operated at least two full-service, year-round restaurants within the last three years with gross annual revenue above $150,000. They must obtain their own liquor licenses. They must also submit detailed business plans, operations plans, and resumes of principal members. Bids are due by April 25. The tentative date for awarding the winning bid is May 9. The contract begins on July 1.

The full RFP can be found at www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html. (Due April 25, 2014 at 3:00 PM)

The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website. Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, and enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/NYSFair. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.

Media Contacts:
Joe Morrissey
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
518-457-0752

Dave Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377