State Parks Selects New Jones Beach Food And Beverage Operator

STAMFORD, Conn., March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has announced it has selected Centerplate to operate food and beverage services beginning this summer at Jones Beach State Park. Centerplate will focus on upgrading and creating new food venues, improving food quality and selection, increasing speed of service and enhancing convenience and overall hospitality in areas that are already busy anchors and the center of activity and foot traffic.

"The expansion of overall hospitality is a signature focal point of Governor Cuomo's Jones Beach Revitalization Plan," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. "Beachgoers can now expect more healthy choices, locally sourced New York foods and ethnic varieties which will be more accessible in more places. This partnership with Centerplate is the perfect side dish to Governor Cuomo's broad plan to revitalize Jones Beach, which includes diversifying food options, adding more recreational opportunities and repurposing underutilized space."

Centerplate will be on the ground and assume full food and beverage operations before Memorial Day weekend and in time for the busy summer season. With more than 85 years in hospitality Centerplate will deliver a targeted and unique experience to Jones Beach. Visitors can soon experience Taste NY and Jones Beach specific brands, themed service environments as well as signature concepts and menu items available only at Jones Beach. New and improved fare will feature authentic local dishes, flavors and ingredients at the same time increasing the number of service locations offering convenient service models.

Renowned Chef Tom Schaudel is partnering with Centerplate to consult on the Jones Beach fare that will be selected and available across the 2,400 acre coastal park visited by nearly six million every year. A 1973 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Schaudel has been the chef-owner and driving force behind many top Long Island restaurants. Schaudel, the inaugural inductee to the Long Island Restaurant Hall of Fame, combines classical technique with the best produce, fish and game that Long Island has to offer.

"It is a great honor to be selected to serve visitors to Jones Beach, the iconic seaside destination and a jewel of the New York State Parks," said Chris Verros, Centerplate President and CEO. "We are delighted to play a role in bringing the heritage of the park to life through hospitality. Everyone at Centerplate is excited to be working with fantastic partners like Chef Schaudel to bring in a fresh approach and great local brands to enhance the experience and add a signature local flavor to the wonderful memories for millions of guests."

"Jones Beach is such an important place for the community, and it is exciting to be able to contribute to its revitalization through a new emphasis on the hospitality experience," said Chef Tom Schaudel. "I am looking forward to working with Centerplate and the Parks Service to ensure that a new generation of visitors to Jones Beach get a taste of what Long Island has to offer."

Governor Cuomo's Jones Beach Revitalization Plan, in addition to expanding food and recreational opportunities, will focus on restoring historic and aesthetic grandeur, strengthening storm resiliency, and streamlining park entry, all of which will improve economic development and increase visitation to the park. The plan will primarily be funded through the NY Parks 2020 plan.

Home to miles of a beautiful white-sand beach along the Atlantic Ocean, Jones Beach has averaged nearly six million visitors over the last decade and hosts the renowned Bethpage Air Show every Memorial Day weekend, 4^th of July Fireworks Spectacular, The Holiday Lights Spectacular each holiday season, numerous concerts at the Nikon Theater and many other recreational programs and services.

About New York State Parks
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by more than 62 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

About Centerplate
Centerplate is a global leader in special event and venue hospitality, "Making it Better To Be There" for more than 115 million guests each year in more than 300 prominent recreational, entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America, continental Europe and the United Kingdom, and serving New Yorkers and their guests at Saratoga Racetrack, Belmont Park, Saks Fifth Avenue, Whiteface Mountain, Lake Placid, Holiday Valley Resort, and the Javits Center. Centerplate has provided event hospitality to 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, movie premieres, 14 Super Bowls including Super Bowl 50, and the largest silver service dinner in history. Connect with the company online at centerplate.com, or at facebook.com/centerplate, or on Twitter @centerplate.

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