MRM News: The Evolution (and Elevation) of Stadium Food

The food choices are not limited to hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack at stadiums these days.

Fine food purveyor Dean & Deluca has become an Official Sponsor of the U.S. Open, reaching a multi-year agreement through 2022. This follows its partnership with the PGA Tour, a six-year agreement through 2021, and support of the 2017 Northern Trust tournament.

Aramark provides  food and beverage service to more than six million football fans each year  at 10 NFL stadiums, serving more football fans than any other hospitality company. Aramark partners with 14 National Football League teams to provide food and beverage, retail and/or facilities services- Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Aramark will be the exclusive food and beverage and retail provider for Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium.

“Food plays a huge role in any stadium event, and is an integral part of what makes the stadium experience come to life,” said Carl Mittleman, President of Aramark’s Sports and Entertainment division. “This NFL season, we elevated stadium classics by listening to our fans and introducing new menu concepts we are proud to serve on game day.”

This year, they have an #AllDayBrunchin menu features the classic tastes of everyone’s favorite weekend meal, all with the portability of a traditional stadium meal, vegan and vegetarian options, edible cookie dough, Shake Shack and more. At Arrowhead Stadium, there’s Zoom Food featuring customer-facing, self-ordering kiosks deigned to improve guest experience and speed of transaction time.

In addition to these new menu items and concepts, Aramark partners with premier restaurateurs and top local and celebrity chefs, including seven James Beard Award winning chefs, who will be introducing new offerings at stadiums this season. Among Aramark’s culinary partners are Andrew Zimmern, Chris Shepherd, David Morton, Gavin Kaysen, Grady Spears, Jimmy Bannos Jr.,Jonathon Sawyer, Marc Vetri, Michael Symon, Rocco Whalen, Ronnie Killenand several other celebrity chefs from across the country.

MRM News visited with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium to learn about the elevated menu that is making it a destination for food, not just a football.