With the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ 2017-18 season getting underway, Quicken Loans Arena is unveiling a unique slate of concession offerings.
When it comes to food and beverage, Quicken Loans Arena is placing a strong emphasis on local items and unique drink options. For this season, the venue will offer craft beer at three Backyard Brews stands, along with a Saucy Brew Works location, and distinct alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options throughout.
Quicken Loans Arena has also placed a strong emphasis on local food options at several of its concessions, including the Launch Test Kitchen. Located near section 126, the Launch Test Kitchen provides Quicken Loans Arena with the opportunity to showcase the work and menu items of local chefs. The stand is returning for its third year of operation, and chefs like Jill Vedaa are embracing the opportunity to work with the arena and food-service provider Aramark. More from The Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Vedaa likes the visibility of having a culinary presence in the arena, which hosts more than 80 NBA, American Hockey League and Arena Football League games a year, in addition to concerts and other events.
“They really keep the integrity of the food and recipes,” said Vedaa of Salt+ in Lakewood. “When you’re a local chef that’s super important. That’s what won me over.”
Vedaa’s creations are featured at the Launch Test Kitchen, in its third year and located near section 126. The Q was the first arena in the nation and is one of only two to have the test kitchen, [Aramark general manager Kelly] Fortune said, along with Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The stand boasts two unique attributes: First, it allows instantaneous switching to other themed concession areas. So if the Monsters are skating or the circus is in town, it can transform very quickly into Fanfare, the standard concession stand. Electric burners allow for quick portable changes, [Aramark executive chef Joe] Bachman added.
The trend of locally-inspired food and drink items has been evident at Cleveland’s other major sports venues–FirstEnergy Stadium (Browns) and Progressive Field (Indians). In fact, our sister site Ballpark Digest recognized a menu option from Progressive Field–the Paramageddon—with a Best Food Item award in 2016.
