HSBC Bank Teams Up With NYC Food Partners to Serve "A Taste of Wimbledon" During Tennis Championship

NEW YORK, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HSBC, "the world's local bank" and official banking partner of Wimbledon, is teaming up with some of New York's most popular restaurants, bakeries and food trucks to create unique culinary experiences as part of "HSBC Bank presents Wimbledon 2011 at Rockefeller Center®."  In an expansion of the Bank's fourth-annual Wimbledon program, select locations will serve "A Taste of Wimbledon" -- special desserts in honor of the traditional tournament treat, strawberries & cream -- from  June 16 through June 24.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A., is building Manhattan's only grass court at Rockefeller Center and will provide complimentary activities to New Yorkers and visitors June 20 - 24. The tennis celebration kicks off June 20, when champions Monica Seles and Jim Courier will play tennis with select fans at noon.  Activities include tennis time on the singles grass court, walk-in tennis clinics and racquet restringing, live Wimbledon matches screened at the HSBC Bank outdoor venue, and samples of strawberries & cream served by staff in vintage tennis whites in recognition of the traditions of the championships.  For details visit www.us.hsbc.com/tennis and join the conversation online at #HSBCWimbledonNY.

"With Wimbledon celebrating its 125th anniversary, we're expanding this year's activities in New York City to include unique twists on a tournament favorite," said Kevin Martin, Senior Executive Vice President, Retail Banking and Wealth Management and marketing, HSBC Bank USA.  "Combining the global heritage of Wimbledon's food and tennis traditions is in keeping with our commitment of bringing international experiences to New York City."

Since 2008, HSBC Bank and California Giant Berry Farms have served complimentary strawberries & cream to attendees. This is the first year HSBC is teaming up with local restaurants to offer Big Apple twists to strawberries & cream. Participating restaurants, bakeries and food trucks include:

• Carnegie Deli: This famous New York City delicatessen's renowned Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake will be re-named in honor of Wimbledon -- Wimbledon Strawberry Cheesecake.
• Chinatown Ice Cream Factory: Wimbledon Strawberry Ice Cream will be served at this American ice cream parlor with a Chinese twist.
• Cupcake Stop: Two food trucks will be offering a Wimbledon-themed strawberry cupcake.
• DessertTruck: A Yogurt Strawberry Tennis Tart will be featured at their store as well as at their traveling truck in honor of Wimbledon.
• Dylan's Candy Bar: Strawberry & Cream gummies will be re-named at this high-end candy store that features both new and nostalgic treats.
• Serendipity 3: This iconic ice cream shop will be renaming its famous frozen "Strawberry Supreme" slushy the "Wimbledon Strawberry Supreme Frrrozen Drink."
• Tea & Sympathy: New York's own traditional British restaurant, Tea & Sympathy, will serve strawberries & cream along with "Eton Mess" -- a British dessert consisting of strawberry meringue and clotted cream.
• Wafels & Dinges: One of Manhattan's favorite food trucks will be serving a Wimbledon Wafel with the famous strawberries & cream.

"The chefs at DessertTruck are huge fans of Wimbledon, and they're excited to be a part of this world class competition which New Yorkers can experience without actually crossing the pond," said owner Jerome Chang.  "And to be doing a version of the iconic strawberries and cream?  Even better."

"It is a privilege to be working with HSBC to create a strawberry dessert in honor of Wimbledon," said  Stephen Bruce, owner/founder of Serendipity 3.  "The 'Wimbledon Strawberry Supreme Frrrozen Drink' continues the tradition of keeping the fruit synonymous with the world's premier tennis competition."  

The specially-named menu items will be available for purchase at all participating locations from June 16 - 24.  For a full list of locations and menu items visit www.us.hsbc.com/tennis or pick up a map that will be available on-site at Rockefeller Plaza starting Monday, June 20.

About HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

HSBC Bank USA, National Association (www.us.hsbc.com), with total assets of $197 billion as of 31 March 2011 (US GAAP), serves around 3.7 million customers through its retail banking and wealth management, commercial banking, private banking, asset management, and global banking and markets segments. It operates more than 470 bank branches throughout the United States. There are about 370 in New York state as well as branches in Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, California, Delaware, Illinois, Oregon and Washington State.  HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., one of the nation's largest bank holding companies by assets.  HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a member of the FDIC.  Deposit products offered in the US by HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

About California Giant Berry Farms

California Giant Berry Farms (www.calgiant.com) grows and ships over 20 million trays of berries annually (180 million pounds). Based in Watsonville, California, the company produces strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries and encompasses all aspects of growing, handling and shipping of fresh berries. The management and employees know the future depends on the actions of today and places concerns for the environment, food safety, excellent quality and service at the core of their business.

CONTACTS
Event Media Contact: Holly Fussell, Edelman PR. 212-704-8132 / [email protected]
HSBC Bank Media Contact: Rob Sherman, HSBC Bank, N.A.  212-525-6901/ [email protected]

SOURCE HSBC Bank USA, N.A.