Marketing / 04.05.19

MLB Chefs Have Their Own Opening Day

Access Staff

VenuesNow (03/29/19) Newcomb, Tim

Major League Baseball hosts a tasting event ahead of Opening Day, showcasing new culinary creations by food concessions at stadiums across the country. "We are trying to create energy around new items," says Steve Dominguez with Seattle's T-Mobile Park, adding that "It gets us in the minds of fans and helps spread the message and market an item at the critical point before Opening Day." The highly anticipated tasting event evolved from a general media event that has grown to highlight cuisine as food culture has matured in tandem. Casey Rapp with concessionaire Delaware North says chefs spend November and December brainstorming and refining about 50 ideas for new items to 20 by the first part of January, and then start tasting and sampling. Teams use fan feedback on the items and connect with new local vendors during the offseason. The tasting event also offers an opportunity to debut new partners and their products alongside the introduction of new food items fans will see at the ballparks.

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Tags: Sports , Concessions