Lancashire Cricket has partnered with Sodexo Live!, a global leader in hospitality services, marking the club’s first official culinary partnership. This five-year deal allows Sodexo Live! to enhance hospitality and event experiences at Emirates Old Trafford, including meal services for conferences, events, and hospitality.
The partnership aims to create a casual workforce of 150 people from Greater Manchester and the North West, contributing to the local economy. Culinary operations will be led by Sodexo Live! executive chef Andy Hare and Emirates Old Trafford head chef Nic Ashurst, a veteran of 37 years.
Sodexo Live! and Emirates Old Trafford, which has undergone a £75 million renovation, will offer diverse and innovative menu options to elevate the dining experience at the venue.
Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive of Lancashire Cricket, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating: “I would like to welcome Sodexo Live! to our family of partners as The Official Culinary Partner of Lancashire Cricket and Emirates Old Trafford. Sodexo Live! is a worldwide hospitality brand, with a proven track record of enhancing the culinary experiences across sports venues, conference centres and global events. Over the past 12 years we have quadrupled in size and our scale now requires an enhanced platform to really focus on the next stage of our growth. We know there is an increasing demand for varied, creative and distinctive menus that are tailor-made for different audiences across a range of events that we hold at Emirates Old Trafford.
“We believe Sodexo Live! has the expertise and vision to make a real difference to our food offering and enhance the whole event experience across cricket, conferences and concerts at the venue. This is a partnership that is incredibly exciting and we’re really looking forward to working with the team in the coming years to support us achieve our ambitious growth aspirations.”
Claire Morris, CEO Sodexo Live! UK&I, commented, “We are absolutely delighted to partner with Lancashire Cricket and Emirates Old Trafford. This collaboration represents a fantastic opportunity to bring our food expertise in event catering and hospitality to one of the most iconic global venues located in the North West of England. Furthermore, we feel incredibly proud to be selected as the Club’s first ever Official Culinary Partner in its 160-year history. We thank Lancashire Cricket for putting its trust in us as our Experience Makers plan to deliver a standout service.
“We are committed to creating an exceptional stadium experience for fans and visitors, ensuring that every match day and event is memorable for visitors regionally and from across the world. Our team is eager to begin this exciting journey and contribute to the continued success of Lancashire Cricket and Emirates Old Trafford.”
Sodexo Live! will introduce regional menu items using local suppliers from Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and the North West. With a focus on social impact, Sodexo Live! partners with businesses like Change Please and Half the Story Biscuits, both of which support the homeless through job training and employment.
Sodexo Live! sponsors major sports clubs and events, including partnerships with Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Newcastle United in the UK. Globally, it serves events like the French Open, Tour de France, and Miami Open, and venues like Hard Rock Stadium and Caesars Superdome, which will host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.
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