Twickenham Chef adopts Plant-First approach

Twickenham Executive Head Chef Tom Rhodes has announced a plant-first approach to the stadium’s match day and non-match day hospitality. The approach, which coincides with the chef’s experiment of ‘going vegan’, is part of the venue’s wider environmental policy, and the increasing demand for plant-first options within events. 

Tom will continue to serve the very best, locally and responsibly sourced meats and fish, but will also be rebalancing the menus to offer better plant-based and vegan dishes.

Twickenham Executive Head Chef, Tom Rhodes, commented:

This isn’t just coming from guests and delegates to the stadium, it’s coming through strongly from our event organiser clients who are learning more about the relationship between food and the environment.

He continued:

Plant-first isn’t vegan, it’s about offering the very best plant-based menus to make them a viable option to both meat and non-meat eaters. To those that want to eat meats and fish, we’ll give them ethically sourced, local produce which tastes amazing, and serve it with as much care and attention as everything else on the menu.

On his decision to go vegan, Tom also sees this about fulfilling a wider responsibility as a chef, as he explained:

It’s been a really amazing experiment actually. Chefs always say they treat vegetarians and vegans with the same respect as every other diner, but until you have actually been one, it’s difficult to know. Our approach has changed since I’ve been vegan, from giving them a good option, to incentivising everyone on the table to try a plant-based diet.

 

Events are about bringing people together, not making them feel isolated around the table. We’re making some subtle changes to menu and service that are both good for the environment and great for the event.

East Stand redevelopment

Twickenham Stadium, home to England Rugby, recently completed a mammoth transformation of its East Stand. The multi-million pound redevelopment offers six floors of creative event space, providing unexpected and dynamic settings that go far beyond a simple conference or banqueting space. Twickenham can now host even more events, ranging from an intimate private dining experience in a private members club setting, to an informal 1,000 capacity drinks reception, all at the same time.

The East Stand extension is the first significant redevelopment of Twickenham Stadium since the South Stand was completed in 2008, and provides over 11,000sqm of hospitality and debenture space for 6,800 premium ticket holders. Although the stadium capacity remains at 82,000, the new facilities provide a major expansion of the existing hospitality and conferencing operation, and a much wider range of food and beverage offers in far more comfortable surroundings.

Each level is distinctive in its design with rugby themes subtly embedded, celebrating and bringing to life the unique aspects of the home of England Rugby, and delivering a truly bespoke hospitality experience.

A total of over 6,700sqm of versatile, contemporary event space has been added to the venue. Its new facilities include:

The East Wing
A contemporary space reminiscent of a private members club, that demonstrates sophistication without stuffiness. Alongside four private terraces with both pitch-side views and outdoor access, it has four individual private dining areas that can accommodate up to 30 guests for a relaxed lounge environment or formal private table setting and 800 covers for the whole restaurant. The space can host up to 400 for a bespoke and exclusive drinks reception.

The Gate
A modern, simple, but exquisite chop-house style restaurant, complete with low-lighting and open brickwork. The space offers a dedicated meat store and separate wine room. For a banquet (restaurant-style) The Gate can also host 550.

The Union Ale House
This expansive space on level one, focuses on providing a relaxed onsite pub setting with capacity for 300 for informal celebrations, drinks receptions and parties. Meetings can also take place for up to 170 guests.

The Lock
A larger space that may resonate with clients as a more traditional event setting. The venue is divided into two – The Lock No. 4 and No. 5 – and overlooks the pitch. It is well-suited to hosting gala dinners, awards and parties, with each space able to cater for a 900-capacity reception or 550-capacity dinner.

The Clubhouse
This space is similarly split into two, with the first area offering restaurant facilities, and the Clubhouse Bar providing a 1350-capacity room adorned with contemporary wood, leather and metallic finishes.

British Airways Rose Garden
A fun and lively roof terrace with an ‘outdoors feel’. It can accommodate up to 550 people and embraces the popular street-food phenomenon by using a stone-baked pizza oven and rotisserie.

KSS, the lead architect, worked closely with The RFU, Keith Prowse, Compass, Wildfire London and Willmott Dixon to deliver this iconic project.

The new East Stand spaces are sold exclusively as England Rugby Hospitality (ERH) by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and long-standing official partner Keith Prowse.

KSS is a longstanding and highly valued VIP Sponsor of Sports Venue Business (SVB). For further information on their award-winning architecture and design services, simply click on their banner advert below…

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The 2020 edition of ALSD International, Europe’s leading event for the Premium Seat & Hospitality sector, is being held at Liverpool FC’s iconic Anfield stadium this October 12-13. It will include a conference examining how to increase revenue through new builds, renovations and service expansions, an exhibition hall, behind-the-scenes tours of Anfield, Everton’s Goodison Park and M&S Bank Arena, and numerous networking events.

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