Bristol Old Vic has announced respected Bristol-based catering company Fosters as its partner for a unique events and catering offer, on completion of the theatre’s multi-million pound redevelopment.
Family owned Fosters have successfully tendered for a new five-year contract, estimated to be worth £6 million, which will include operating the new event space, called Coopers’ Hall, the refurbished Café Bar and theatre bar operations, commencing when the theatre reopens in Autumn 2018.
Versatile Event Space
The versatile event spaces will include the Foyle Room, suitable for meetings of up to 12 people, Coopers' Hall for dinners up to 120 and our Main Auditorium for theatre style events for up to 540.
In what was a very competitive tender process with 16 national and regional operators competing for the business, it has now been announced that Fosters will deliver all retail and event catering for Bristol Old Vic.
Emma Stenning, Bristol Old Vic’s Chief Executive said:
“We searched nationwide for the right catering partner; one who would share our pride in this city, and who would work with the kid of creative flair that a theatre demands.
I was delighted that the best team just happened to be based in Bristol.”
Relationship Spanning Decades
Fosters are one of the largest event and contract caterers in the South-West operating at a diverse range of venues, from Heritage to Stadia, to Entertainment and Arts sites including Bath Rugby and Brunel’s SS Great Britain.
Their longstanding relationship with Bristol Old Vic spans decades and includes catering for the theatres 250th anniversary gala dinner last year.
The contract will be overseen by Fosters’ Chef Director, Tom Green who started his career in London working under Herbert Berger, before moving to Bristol in 2001 to work with Michael Caines.
He went on to be Head Chef at the highly acclaimed Riverstation restaurant for three years and was behind the opening of the award winning Rosemarino restaurant.
Fosters Chief Executive, Neil Lodge explains,
“Tom is very much at the heart of the ever-growing Bristol food and drink scene and his menus reflect the highest quality of fresh and locally sourced produce.
His vast experience of delivering large scale and high-quality events in some of the most demanding environments and to the most discerning customers is reflected in our success.”
Tom comments,
“Bristol Old Vic represents an opportunity for Bristol to showcase itself to a wider regional, national and even international audience.
With the South West’s rich abundance of food and drink producers and suppliers it is an ideal opportunity to match the spectacle of the Bristol Old Vic experience with an equally impressive food and beverage offer.
Our aim is to ensure that visitors to Bristol Old Vic, and guests at events, leave with a real sense of the region’s food heritage, provenance and quality, alongside its’ proud thespian history.”
http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/
Pictured above, left to right: Tom Green - Fosters Chef Director, Neil Lodge - Fosters Chief Executive, Emma Stenning - Chief Executive Bristol Old Vic, Erick Muzard - Commercial Director Bristol Old Vic.