Scottish soccer side Aberdeen FC has introduced a new casual dining concept for its weekday match hospitality at Pittodrie Stadium, which is highlighted by a menu using local ingredients and suppliers.
With the club’s catering and events partner, Sodexo, VIP guests will be treated to the new concept which focuses on small plates using local ingredients and is inspired by comfort food recipes.
Pre-match menu highlights include breads with smashed avocado, chilli and pomegranate, toasted sub rolls with steak, chips, cheese and chill sauce, chimichurri crispy chicken tenders and mac and cheese with black truffle and parmesan.
At half time, hospitality guests are presented with pies from local bakery, Thains, and once the game ends, match goers are offered a selection of desserts including lemon and lime panna cotta with raspberries and warm ginger sponge with caramelized pineapple.
“There has been a growing trend in the hospitality industry within sporting stadia to offer something more dynamic for clients and we wanted to be at the forefront of those changes,” said Anna McKenzie, commercial manager at Aberdeen Football Club.
“Working with Sodexo I’m delighted we are now in a position to present a new contemporary dining concept, one which offers a more relaxed hospitality experience, and increased flexibility for our guests for whom time is precious. It also leads the way for the exciting changes we will be looking to make when we make the move to our new home at Cormack Park.”
The new hospitality offering is able to offer guests a different dining experience to its traditional matchdays and works with a team of chefs to deliver new menus using local goods. The feedback so far has been positive, it has been revealed.
“The relaxed dining concept has been fantastic for us, the initial feedback has been phenomenal with comments regarding the flexibility as guests are now able to arrive at any time and still get a full selection of freshly cooked dishes. The food on offer has been very well received, with up to seven dishes to choose from at each match, there is plenty of options for everyone,” said Scott McGregor, director for Sodexo at Aberdeen Football Club.
“We have seen an uplift in seasonal clients dining in the Aberdeen Standard Investment suite due to this new grazing offer. Clients like that they can come and graze from our stations and enjoy the dishes in the comfort of their own box.”