Centerplate Brings Taste of Florida to the NBA All-Star Jam Session

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, the leading partner to North America's premier sports stadiums, convention centers and entertainment venues plays hospitality host this week for the NBA All-Star Jam Session at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida February 22nd through the 26th. Fans will have the opportunity to visit the Jam Session, an NBA interactive event offering participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, and snacks and meals custom-designed by Centerplate for the event. The Jam Session is expected to attract over 100,000 guests over its four-day run.

The Jam Session will occupy over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space providing interactive activities for fans of all ages. A regulation basketball court, Center Court, has been created on the show floor with seating for 4,200 fans and will be the location for the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday evening.

For the event, Centerplate turned to its award-winning chefs to construct a menu of home-cooking from cultures around the world. To serve this wide variety of flavorful meals without sacrificing service speed, Centerplate will present over 30 quick-service locations, 2 multiple-concept food courts as well as a full service restaurant. Some of Centerplate's chef-crafted dishes featured at the Jam Session include:

• Orecchiette Pasta with Gulf Shrimp and Roasted Peppers
• Spinach and Queso Blanco Empanadas with Jalapeno Cilantro Sauce
• Made-to-Order Florentine Crepe with Diced Chicken and Baby Spinach
• Wild Fire Smoked Turkey Muffaletta with Wild Fire Spread
• Made-to-Order Fruit and Cream Crepes with Florida Strawberries and Bananas

In addition to its quick service offerings, Centerplate will also cater an additional 112 VIP events over the four days. Dishes served at the events will include:

• Local Winter Park Goat Cheese and Tomato Onion Relish Crostini
• Key West Jumbo Coconut Shrimp with Tropical Lime Chutney
• Grilled Grouper with Cucumber Cilantro, Green Onion, Citrus Slaw and Wasabi Ranch Dressing
• Florida Key Lime Tarts
• Plant City Florida Strawberry Short Cakes
• Fresh Baked Southern Vegetable Cheese Biscuits with Local Orange Blossom Honey

"We are really excited to offer visitors to the NBA All-Star Jam Session at the Orange County Convention Center a unique experience," said Douglas Conner, Centerplate's General Manager responsible for the event. "My team and I have developed menus that reflect the flavors of Florida and the energy and excitement of All-Star week." 

Centerplate is certainly no stranger to the NBA or world-class events. Recently, Centerplate has hosted the NCAA Final Four, several college football Bowl games as well the BCS Championship. Most recently, Centerplate hosted the Super Bowl in Indianapolis and looks forward to marking its 14th Super Bowl in New Orleans.

About Centerplate:
Centerplate crafts and delivers "Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results." in over 250 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America – annually serving over 100 million guests. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to 15 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 13 Super Bowls, 20 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. The company was recently named the fastest growing restaurant/ hospitality group in the country by Nation's Restaurant News. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com or like us on Facebook.

SOURCE Centerplate