Tropicana Field Adds to its 2012 Roster with New Executive Chef
Centerplate Names Marc Spooner from Food Network's 'Chopped' and NYC's Great Performances
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, the leading hospitality partner to North America's premier sports, convention and entertainment venues, has announced the appointment of Marc Spooner to Executive Chef for Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Chef Spooner will oversee culinary operations and menu development for all hospitality areas of the stadium, including restaurants, clubs, suites, and quick-serve locations. The Chef will also dedicate his talents to producing creative menus for meetings, banquets, fundraising galas, themed parties, social functions, and weddings held at the ballpark.
Commenting on his appointment, Chef Spooner said, "I am so excited to return to Florida and Tropicana Field. My team and I look forward to developing innovative and fun menus that will further enhance the experience of a trip to the ballpark."
In 2009, Spooner was featured on an episode of the Food Network's 'Chopped,' where he was awarded first place for his preparation of Thai-inspired beef salad with chipotle pumpkin puree, curry-dredged flounder with mini watermelons, baby bok choy and plantains, and a judge's favorite desert of pickled watermelon rinds inspired by a recipe his father made when he was a child.
A Florida native, with a career that began nearly 17 years ago, Spooner returns to his home state with an enviable level of experience. He comes to Centerplate and Tropicana Field most recently from Great Performances, a leading New York City catering firm. His diverse experience also includes serving as executive chef for the exclusive Highlands Country Club in Garison, New York, the Cobblestones Restaurant in Lowell, Massachusetts and premier, fine-dining restaurants in Naples, Florida and Salt Lake City, Utah.
"We are delighted to announce Chef Spooner as our new executive chef," said Bill Tracy, Centerplate's Vice President overseeing Tropicana Field. "With the addition of Spooner – a highly acclaimed Chef with an unparalleled record – we will continue to enhance the gameday experience for the fans of the Tampa Bay Rays."
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, 12 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 hospitality group in the country by Nation's Restaurant News. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com
SOURCE Centerplate
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