Centerplate Announces Hospitality Program Bursary at George Brown College in Toronto

Centerplate Staff Will Guest Lecture at New Hospitality Learning Center

TORONTO, March 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Centerplate (Toronto, ON), North America's leading event hospitality provider to stadiums, entertainment venues and convention centers across North America, announces its first annual Centerplate Culinary Management Bursary for Dixon Hall's Regent Park Youth Program for one student annually at the George Brown College of Toronto (GBC), and an innovative partnership to offer mentoring and career development opportunities for students of the College.

The announcement, made as part of last night's Sip and Savour event—a collaboration between the George Brown Bachelor of Applied Business Hospitality Management Program, Culinary Management-Nutrition Program and Dixon Hall to raise funds and community awareness in support of Regent Park Youth Centre—marks a major commitment to developing the hospitality leaders of tomorrow. Starting in the fall of 2013, Centerplate will fund an annual Centerplate Management bursary for one student, to be selected by the Dixon Hall Youth Centre from its population of at-risk youth from The Regent Park community. In addition, Centerplate will work with George Brown College to assist with employment and co-op placement for its students, and participate in community and engagement events similar to Sip and Savour.

As the Event Hospitality partner to the Scotiabank Convention Centre, Honda Indy Toronto, Allstream Centre and the Direct Energy Centre, Centerplate has deep roots in Ontario, and a firm commitment to giving back to the community.

"As leaders in the Event Hospitality industry, we feel an obligation to help develop the hospitality leaders of tomorrow, and invest in the communities where we live and work," says Centerplate Regional Vice President, Ashton Sequeira. "Centerplate's commitment to George Brown College won't just be financial, we plan to have our leadership staff give hands on help to students and share their hospitality expertise."

"The curriculum for programs is developed with important input from our partners in industry and the community – the very people who hire GBC graduates. The fact that our students have taken leadership roles in developing connections with Centerplate and Dixon Hall for Sip and Savour is a great example of applied learning. We are very proud of our students." states Professors Doris Miculan Bradley, Gary Hoyer, James Smith and Patrick Secord.

Centerplate has a track record of involvement with student development programs, including a strong relationship with the Cornell University School of Hotel Management, where Centerplate Chief Design Officer John Sergi was recently named an Executive in Residence; the company also funds scholarships at Metro State University in Denver, CO. Centerplate enlists top executive leadership in educational opportunities at MSU Denver, including frequent guest lectures, mentoring and career development. Additionally, the company provides hospitality services to prestigious universities including, University of Notre Dame, University of Florida and University of Alabama.

"We wanted to join together with Centerplate to promote good jobs, good health, safe shelter, vibrant cultures and a strong community," said Kate Stark, Executive Director of Dixon Hall. "We are community partners in creating opportunities for people of all ages to dream, to achieve and to live full and rewarding lives."

About Centerplate
Centerplate crafts and delivers "Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results." in over 250 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America – annually serving over 100 million guests. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 13 Super Bowls, 21 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Last year, the company was named the fastest growing restaurant/hospitality group in the country by Nation's Restaurant News. Visit the company online at www.centerplate.com.

About George Brown College
GBC was established in 1967.GBC currently has over 14,000 full-time students and is committed to giving students an education that teaches them the real-world skills that employers are looking for. The curriculum for programs is developed with important input from our partners in industry and the community – the very people who hire GBC graduates.
http://www.georgebrown.ca/whygeorgebrown/

About Dixon Hall
Dixon Hall is a multi-service agency located in the heart of East Downtown Toronto. For over 80 years, Dixon Hall has offered a wide range of supportive programs and services to its diverse community members – primarily residents of Regent Park, Moss Park, West Donlands, East Bayfront and surrounding neighbourhoods – as well as homeless men and women from across the city.
www.dixonhall.org

SOURCE: Centerplate

Ashley Luneburg, [phone]

http://www.centerplate.com