Fosters Event Catering wins £10m catering contract for new Plymouth culture centre
Fosters Event Catering has won a five-year, £10m contract to provide all catering services at the Box, Plymouth's new culture and heritage centre which includes a museum and gallery.
When it opens on 16 May, the Box Kitchen & Bar will provide locally sourced, freshly prepared food and drink, and on Thursday to Saturday evenings will transition into a bar and dining room.
Fosters said its links with the local community and economy were a "key factor" in securing the deal, which saw it bid against global contract caterers.
Kate Farmery, head of business at the Box, said: "Fosters were up against very strong competition in the pitching process but their bespoke, flexible approach, innovation and commitment to supporting Devon food and drink producers really made them stand out."
Chief executive of Fosters Event Catering, Neil Lodge, said: "We are delighted to have secured a long-term partnership with the Box. High quality South West produce, ethical values and conscientious procurement is vital to our independent family business, all qualities that we know the Box shares."
Nat Tallents, 2018 National Chef of the Year semi-finalist, will lead the kitchen team, having previously worked as executive chef at Lewinnick Lodge and the Plume of Feathers, both in Cornwall.
Fosters Events Catering was founded in 1959 recently secured a £7.5m deal with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. In addition, the company handles accounts such as the Bristol Old Vic theatre – a contract worth £10m over five years.