in brief 2008-05-01

Correction: In April's Food Feature, Catering for a Cause, the Pomegranate Roasted Rack of Lamb recipe was from Chef John Henry Reid, executive chef, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN.

Also in Catering for a Cause, the Coconut Creamed Onions in Puff Pastry was from Aran Essig CEC, CCA, executive chef/trainer, University of Northern Colorado Dining Services, Greeley, CO.

Centerplate has acquired four food and beverage service contracts from Sun Capital, parent company of Crystal Food Services. The contracts represent $12 million in annual revenues and include the Indiana State Museum, the Indianapolis Zoo and the Murat Centre, the largest theater in Indianapolis. In addition, Centerplate has acquired the extension of its contract with the Indianapolis Convention Center, which was set to expire in June.

Aramark secured a 10-year foodservice agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball franchise to provide general and club level concessions as well as manage the HSBC Club VIP Restaurant at the team's Rogers Centre ballpark. With the addition of Rogers Centre, ARAMARK now provides professional services at 15 Major League Baseball stadiums. The previous concessionaire at the facility was Delaware North Sportservice.

Sodexo reported first half fiscal 2008 revenue growth of 9.6%, though currency impacts reduce that to 3.8%. Operating profit grew 14.9% (7.9% with currency impact) and net income was up 16.9% (10.4% with currency impact). In the North American Food & Facilities unit, operating profit was up 11.7% and operating margin grew from 5.6% to 5.9%.

The University of Northern Iowa has named Carol Petersen dining services director, replacing Mona Milius, who left last fall to become a consultant. Petersen was associate director of residential dining at Iowa State University and will assume her new duties at UNI on June 16.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus has renewed it foodservice contract with Aramark for 12 years in a deal valued at $96 million. Aramark has been the university's campus dining provider since 1998.

Sportservice has been selected to provide food, beverage and retail merchandising services at the new Minnesota Twins ballpark, scheduled to open in 2010. The eight-year deal includes concessions, gourmet catering and fine dining operations as well as retail stores/kiosks in and out of the ballpark.

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