Centerplate Steps to the Plate with New Menu Items, Partnerships, Facility Upgrades and Green Initiatives at Four MLB Venues

STAMFORD, Conn., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, the largest hospitality partner to North America's premier sports stadiums, convention centers and entertainment venues, announced today a series of new menu concepts, facility improvements and environmental initiatives for the 2010 Major League Baseball Season at its four MLB partner venues. Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays), AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants), Safeco Field (Seattle Mariners) and Sun Life Stadium (Florida Marlins) will each unveil new upgrades and locally inspired menu items for their respective opening games beginning April 6th. Centerplate's baseball season highlights include the addition of Norwegian Cruise Lines veteran chef James Makinson as Centerplate's Executive Chef at Safeco Field, substantial facility renovations at Sun Life Stadium, new cooking equipment at AT&T Park designed to reduce oil consumption and energy use by as much as one half, and new concepts featuring wine by the glass and at Tropicana Field.

Centerplate has partnered with acclaimed Chef David Pasternack of New York City's Esca Restaurant to design the new Fresco Fish Taco and Ti Dave's Po' Boys stands at Tropicana Field. Chef Pasternack was engaged by Centerplate's recently appointed Chief Design Officer John Sergi to develop feature concepts to connect with fans through compelling new menus, such as Sausage and Shrimp Po' Boys, Cajun Fries and Mahi Fish Tacos. Rays fans will also experience Tropicana Field's innovative new wine program this season, thanks to a partnership with Zachys Wine & Liquor. The custom-built wine bars will feature crisp Proseccos, steely New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and other worldly wines on its rotating menu.

"The Rays are the perfect partner for these programs, as the team is committed to providing quality eating, drinking and entertainment options for fans throughout the stadium," said John Sergi, Centerplate's Chief Design Officer. "These programs further the Centerplate philosophy where the concepts we develop are not just designed to feed, but also to engage."

AT&T Park, which was crowned 'the champion of stadium food' by Travel + Leisure Magazine last season, also adds to its menu offerings the King St. Carvery with hand-carved roasted turkey, beef brisket and corned beef; the Lettieri Family Italian Beef Sandwich, the Columbus St. Combo and Spicy Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions to its "Taste of North Beach" concept zone; and an array of Philly, San Francisco Chicken and NorCal Veggiesteaks in its new Outta Here Cheesesteaks kiosk, which is located next to the long-standing fan favorite Crazy Crab Sandwich stand. This season, Centerplate has also partnered with Saag's Specialty Meats & Sausages, a San Francisco institution of over 75 years, which will offer its famous meats and cheeses on local San Francisco breads at the new Saag's Deli kiosk. Saag's Polish Sausage will also become the official Giants Polish at the ballpark.

Centerplate will also unveil several new menu concepts at Safeco Field, such as "The Natural," an array of wholesome selections including vegan soups, organic fruit smoothies and vegetarian hot dogs. The "Sound Seafood" area features menu items that honor the cuisine of Seattle's Puget Sound with Peel & Eat Shrimp Cocktail, the Blackened Salmon Sandwich and Halibut & Chips. Additionally, Centerplate has switched out all of Safeco Field's cups, plates, cutlery and other foodservice items for biodegradable and compostable options this season. At both Safeco Field and South Florida's Sun Life Stadium, prices will remain frozen with last year. Sun Life Stadium, where Centerplate recently executed food and beverage operations for Super Bowl XLIV, will also reveal its extensive facility upgrades to Marlins fans this season. A new general concessions area featuring new equipment, renovated kitchens and refurbished carts, including improved iced cream stands, will make their MLB debut next week.

"We are thrilled to welcome this year's MLB Season," said George Wooten, Centerplate's Executive Vice President of Operations. "Between our new menu offerings, impressive facility upgrades and ambitious green initiatives, Centerplate is poised to bring guests an extraordinary baseball experience while expanding upon our goal to becoming number one in hospitality."

Centerplate's new 2010 MLB Season initiatives follows other recent news, including community-wide support of the NCAA Men's Final Four events at Centerplate partner venues across Indianapolis and providing food and beverage service to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics where Centerplate became the Official Food Service Partner to the U.S. Ski Team & U.S. Snowboarding.

About Centerplate

Centerplate crafts and delivers "Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results." in 250 prominent sports, entertainment and convention venues across North America. Centerplate has provided services to 12 Super Bowls, 19 World Series, key events for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Art Basel Miami Beach, 15 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com.

SOURCE Centerplate