Industry News for August 17th, 2024

Hot Off the Presses

Proof of the Pudding, a leader in food service management and catering for state-of-the-art convention centers, sports and entertainment arenas and college stadiums, is set to deliver an elevated food experience to golf fans at the TOUR Championship from August 28 through September 1. On par with the newly restored East Lake Golf Club set to raise the bar for the top 30 players competing for the FedExCup, Proof of the Pudding will offer fans expanded and evolved premium and concession offerings showcasing fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Proof of the Pudding will serve 70,000 people with its 25 premium locations, 16 concession stands and bars, and by taking care of the TOUR Championship volunteers. The Company’s premium hospitality and concession locations will feature made-from-scratch food offerings and showcase numerous local vendors including Halperns’ Steak & Seafood, Springer Mountain Farms, Pearson Farms, Qihe Mushroom Farm, and Sweet Grass Dairy. Ticketholders for the Legends Suites on the 18th Green will enjoy farm-to-table menus for lunch, snacks and a full bar all day. Featured items include pork al pastor tacos with achiote-red chili pork, pineapple, charred onions, cilantro and taco truck green sauce; jambalaya pasta with chicken breast, andouille sausage, peppers, onions, penne and creole cream sauce; heirloom tomato salad with cucumber, Vidalia onions, arugula, radish, tarragon, feta, olives and lemon vinaigrette; and sweets such as pecan praline shortbreads, raspberry streusel and banana pudding, all spotlighting locally grown produce. At the Coca-Cola Café, within The Landing, fans will find an old-school soda fountain menu and Coca-Cola Floats. Must-have menu items include the all-beef hot dog Coca-Cola chili dog with Coca-Cola chili, cheddar cheese, onions and roasted jalapeno on a Martin’s potato roll; the double patty Coca-Cola barbeque cheeseburger with smoked gouda, Coca-Cola caramelized onions and Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce on Martin’s potato roll. 

Venue News

 Apicii Hospitality, a leading food and beverage operator known for managing some of New York City’s best restaurants and bars, is thrilled to announce Bar Harta, a new event venue at Grayson Hotel, located near Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, Bar Harta is aThe scenic, 1,502-square-foot indoor-outdoor wine lounge serves as an extension of Harta Restaurant on the hotel’s second-floor terrace. Now available for group bookings, the venue has also unveiled a new menu for group events. Bar Harta’s entrance is dramatic and striking; guests must ascend the helix staircase to reach the show-stopping event space. Upon arrival on the second floor, attendees are welcomed into an expansive dining room, which includes an open-air lounge with rattan lighting, fresh greenery draped from the ceiling and a glass pergola that peers onto the large outdoor terrace overlooking 39th Street in Midtown. The space can be open and airy during the spring and summer months and then closed off for cozy indoor functions during the winter months. The design-forward venue is flexible for groups looking to entertain, celebrate or conduct group meetings with easy audiovisual capabilities and options for live entertainment and DJ programming. Bar Harta was curated by local design studio Dutch East Design and includes thoughtful touches, including 900 square feet of handmade Smink Studio Quarter Circle tiles screen-printed on the back of the venue’s bar for extra texture. The convivial bar is the centerpiece of the venue’s wine program, which includes over 40 wines by the glass, 16 of which are available on tap. The new catering menu offers a three-hour dinner reception option, which includes an open bar; passed canapés, dips and spreads; a mini dinner station, passed and/or stationed desserts; and coffee/tea service. There’s also an option for a three-course family-style dinner ($75 per guest)for parties up to 50. The menu includes a selection of two appetizers, including Charred Eggplant with mint and smoked olive oil, Chorizo and Potato Croquettes in romesco sauce, and Heirloom Tomato Burrata with artichokes, croutons and Basil, among other options. Guests can also choose from a menu of entrées, including Branzino with roasted fennel, artichoke and salmoriglio sauce; WildMushroom Cavatappi with Parmigiano-Reggiano; and Black Angus Sirloin ($12 additional per guest), which is served with a peppercorn crust, fingerling potatoes, watercress and balsamic. Notable desserts include Basque Cheesecake, inspired by regions of Spain; seasonal Crostata with Mascarpone; and Chocolate Almond Torte.  

People on the Move

Proof of the Pudding, a leader in food service management and catering for prestige sporting events, state-of-the-art convention centers, sports and entertainment arenas and college stadiums, today announced the promotion of LaTosha Marks to senior vice president of human resources. Marks will continue to oversee the company’s human resources strategy and is responsible for human resources operations, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, talent acquisition, management and retention, and safety and wellbeing initiatives for more than 2,000 team members nationwide. Marks has more than two decades of experience in human resources and change management, specializing in employee relations, leadership and management training and development, and payroll administration. With extensive expertise in labor and employment law, she excels in conflict resolution and compliance investigations. Prior to joining Proof of the Pudding in 2022, Marks held key human resources roles with Crews (Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport), Hooters of America and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and co-leads the HR Forum for Elite Catering + Event Professionals (ECEP).