Compass Group UK & Ireland has been awarded a five year contract to supply the catering at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC), the leading London venue.
The five year deal, worth in excess of £20 million, will see Leith’s, a Compass sport, leisure and hospitality brand, work in partnership with the Centre to create a new delegate experience by introducing a new range of food concepts and creative menus. The contract was awarded following a competitive tendering process involving a number of the major as well as bespoke catering companies.
New era for catering at the QEII
Mark Taylor, chief executive, QEIICC said: “This contract heralds a new era for catering at the QEII. We were looking for a caterer that we could work in close partnership with; a company that would work with us and our clients in a proactive collaborative and bespoke fashion. Although the Centre has worked with Compass for many years, a European wide tendering process was conducted and the contract was highly contested with a number of exceedingly strong tender returns.
“Leith’s/Compass have been selected again to work with the Centre based upon a combination of their partnership approach, depth of delivery and flexibility, combined with exceptional service and innovation.”
New concepts for diverse customer base
Based on market research and current food trends, the new concepts have been designed to appeal to the conference centre’s diverse customer base. In designing the bespoke menus for the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Compass will be working with Masterchef 2009 winner Steve Groves, now head chef at Roux at Parliament Square (which is operated by Compass’ executive dining business Restaurant Associates).
Compass has also teamed up with Allegra McEvedy who will act as a mentor to the culinary team at the conference centre, ensuring an ongoing focus on healthy eating and the use of sustainable ingredients in the delegate menus.
Delegates will also enjoy a smart food menu, focusing on brain foods which will improve concentration and productivity throughout the day. Example dishes on the smart food menu include: ceviche of English coasted sea reared trout with avocado mousse; lemon verbena poached sprouting broccoli and cauliflower smoothie with toasted almonds; and soy and haricot bean salad with zucchini flowers.
About the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre is a premier purpose-built venue in a prestigious location in the heart of London, uniquely situated against the stunning backdrop of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament and The London Eye.
The QEIICC combines this stunning location with unrivalled conference facilities, catering for events from 40 to 1,300 delegates in plenary session and 2-2,500 in total capacity. The Centre offers 29 conference and event spaces across 7 floors, including:
- A plenary room for up to 1,300
- Over 2,000m2 exhibition space on one floor
- 4 large conference rooms for over 300
- A further 6 meeting spaces for over 100
- 12 syndicate rooms
- Numerous additional offices, speakers’ lounges and catering areas
- A fully-equipped Media Suite for up to 12
The cuisine is provided by Leith’s at the Centre and the in-house production facilities by Interface, both of which offer an outstanding service tailored to fulfill individual requirements. The QEIICC provides wireless internet access throughout, digital signage across seven floors and high definition audio visual equipment.
The Centre hosts an average of 400 events per year – including The CML Mortgage Industry Conference, The World Safety Conference and The Biomedical Basis of Elite Performance.
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