Centerplate Offers Locally Sourced Menu to Over 325,000 Guests at The Royal
Agricultural Winter Fair

    
    Hospitality leader partners with local farmers at the world's largest
    indoor agricultural fair, augmenting Direct Energy Centre's
environmentally
    conscious operations




    
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<p>STAMFORD, Conn., <chron>Oct. 21</chron> /CNW/ -- Centerplate, the hospitality partner to North America's premier convention centers and entertainment venues, is delivering locally sourced, gourmet menus to guests at the 87th annual Royal Agricultural <person>Winter Fair</person> (RAWF) held from <chron>November 6th</chron> to 15th at the Direct Energy Centre.  An estimated 325,000 guests will attend this year's RAWF, the world's largest indoor agricultural fair and equestrian competition, in its 87th year at the Exhibition Grounds. Throughout the 10-day fair, Centerplate will host over thirty catered events, with at least 80 percent of their ingredients sourced locally in Ontario.</p>
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<p>Centerplate Executive Chef <person>Robert Campbell</person> will lead the Centre's culinary efforts with the support of celebrity guest chefs including <person>Jamie Kennedy</person>, chef owner of <person>Jamie Kennedy</person> Kitchens and author of Seasons; Steffan Howard, executive chef of the Palais Royale Ballroom and winner of Gault Millau honors; Corbin Tomaszeski, Food Network star and chef at Holt's Cafe; and Ryo Ozawa, executive chef at Edo Sushi and past Canadian Culinary Cup champion. Chef Campbell's fare for the Royal is designed to showcase the region's unique culinary flavors and offerings using ingredients sourced from 15 area farms. Key menu items will include Beet Salad, which combines Carron Farms' coloured carrots and candy strip beets with Woolwich Dairy's goat cheese; Muscovy Duck Prosciutto sourced from <person>King Cole Ducks</person>; and Vegetarian Antipasto Napoleon incorporating peppers from Shabatura Produce.</p>
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<p>"With our dedication to the <location>Toronto</location> community, we are delighted to partner with area farmers in delivering locally-inspired cuisine at this year's Fair," said <person>Ashton Sequeira</person>, Centerplate's General Manager for the Direct Energy Centre.  "We look forward to bringing our culinary expertise to the table in collaboration with the local growers and breeders."</p>
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<p>"We are proud to host guests from the Ontario community and around the world at the 87th annual Royal Agricultural <person>Winter Fair</person>," said <person>Bill Duron</person>, CEO for the Royal Agricultural <person>Winter Fair</person>.  "With Centerplate's unwavering commitment to culinary excellence, we look forward to delivering best-in-class service to each and every attendee."</p>
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<p>Centerplate's commitment to incorporating local foods into seasonal menus is part of its greater dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. To date this year, Centerplate's kitchen at the Direct Energy Centre has diverted 77 percent of all waste, 2.84 million kilograms to recycling, allowing only 23 percent of refuse to reach a landfill. Additionally, all disposable foodservice items at the Centre are biodegradable and all food scraps are saved for composting, minimizing the carbon footprint of the one million square foot venue.</p>
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<p>Hospitality partner to the Direct Energy Centre since 1997, Centerplate also serves Winnipeg's Canad Inns Stadium and MTS Centre, the University of British Columbia in and Vancouver's BC Place Stadium and <location>Vancouver</location> Convention Centre.</p>
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    About Centerplate
    
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<p>Centerplate crafts and delivers extraordinary entertainment experiences in more than 140 prominent sports, entertainment and convention venues across <location>North America</location>. Centerplate has provided services to Super Bowl XLII, the Belmont Stakes, key events for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, <person>Art Basel</person> <location>Miami</location> Beach, and six official Presidential Inaugural Balls. Visit the company online at <a href="http://www.centerplate.com">www.centerplate.com</a>.</p>
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For further information: Mia Herron, [email protected], or Katy Saeger, [email protected], both of Neighbor Agency, [phone], for Centerplate Web Site: http://www.centerplate.com/