Tender: Bristol Old Vic seeking a catering partner

Bristol Old Vic theatre is seeking a caterer with experience of delivering creative, consistent and high-quality food and service

We are seeking a catering partner that can offer:

• Experience of delivering creative, consistent and high-quality food and service.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, a can-do attitude and desire to deliver the highest possible standards.
• A keen focus on every aspect of the customer experience, from booking process, through to service standards, table ware and menu design.
• Genuine willingness to build a strong partnership between the two organisations and excitement about working under the BOV brand.
• Detailed understanding of all legal, food, health and safety frameworks.
• Experience of delivering either/both events and pre-theatre dining would be an advantage, as would experience of operating in a cultural venue

The opportunity

The Bristol Old Vic site includes a 70 cover bar and restaurant space, 17 individual external log cabins with capacity for six people per cabin, and Coopers Hall, which can accommodate events for up to 120 seated and 200 standing.

The Bristol Old Vic has a fully operational commercial kitchen and catering equipment required to provide the above service. The caterer would be responsible for the cost of bringing in any additional equipment needed. A full list of the existing equipment is shown in Schedule 1 below.

Following a period of closure during the Covid pandemic, we are now seeking a catering partner to deliver the following:

• All-day dining from 9am to approx. 10.45pm, including breakfast options, cakes and snacks, light lunches, pre-theatre dining and evening meals with more than 50% of the menu to be vegetarian or vegan, at a relevant price-point to our client base

The theatre itself attracts audience numbers of 35,000 per year and a growing number of weekly destination customers. We believe that with the right offer, the restaurant should not only serve the BOV audiences, but to become a destination in it is own right.

About Bristol Old Vic

Built in 1766 as a place where the people of Bristol could come together, Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world. In 2018 the front of house underwent a multi-million pound redevelopment. The new building boasts a relaxing and fully- accessible front of house space, with core infrastructure facilities needed to create a buzzing restaurant. It also has an outdoor area which features 17 new hospitality cabins.

Bristol Old Vic has an ever changing program of performances and events which creates a diverse offer to an audience with wide ranging tastes and interests, keeping the theatre evolving, fresh and topical. In order to consistently reap the rewards from the Food and Beverage operation, the Bristol Old Vic is seeking a new catering partner.

BOV is committed to reducing its environmental impact across all its activities and facilities. We understand that our choices impact the world we live in and those in it for generations to come. Food is responsible for approximately 26% of global GHG emissions. We would like caterers to consider environmental and social sustainability within their proposals, including but not limited to: plant-based or vegetarian options above fifty percent of the overall menu, FairTrade products, food waste management, packaging, delivery strategies, and recycling. Considering locally sourced, organic and/or seasonal products would be an advantage.

This opportunity is considered to be particularly appealing to catering and event companies who would benefit from raising their profile, showcasing their offer within Bristol and working in a collaborative partnership with Bristol Old Vic.

Tender process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Becky Davies by 28 February 2022 on becky.davies@bristololdvic.org.uk for an initial chat and site visit.

Expressions of Interest

The caterer should provide an expression of interest within 14 days of receipt of the invitation to tender. The expression of interest should include the following information;

• A brief bio on the caterer including description of support resources, i.e marketing, training, development, H&S and any existing operation in Bristol
• Sample menus with proposed selling prices
• Confirmation of GP%
• A statement on food sourcing
• Mobilisation plan
• Ideas around service innovation – including how they would establish and build the restaurant and event business
• A statement on what makes them suitable and why they want to partner with BOV
• Details of proposed staffing plan to deliver the services required and anticipated hours of work onsite
• Operator’s plan for pre-theatre dining and events if appropriate
• Three-year financial projections
• Contact details for two referees
• Evidence of insurance and qualifications Schedule 1 – On site kitchen equipment 2 x Upright 590 litre Freezer 1 x Refrigerated 313 litre Counter Worktop 2 x Upright 590 litre Refrigerator 1 x Hobart Pass through Dishwasher 1 x 313 Litre Gastronorm Counter 1 x Falcon Combi Oven (6 GN Capacity) 1 x Lincat Sandwch Grill/Toaster 2 x Lincat 14 Litre Deep Fat Fryer 1 x Countertop Charbroiler 1 x Undercounter 170 litre freezer 1 x Gas Salamander 1 x Lincat Gas Range 1 x Refrigerator multi temp drawer unit 1 x Countertop Induction Range 1 x Refrigerated Counter Top Preparation Rail 1 x Waffle Iron 1x Daewoo microwave 2x Dumbwaiters 1x Rational 1x Victor 100 Banquetline 2x Counter induction Range 1x Victor Banquetline 505

Photo: Philip Vile