Amadeus launches new street food concepts
Amadeus, part of the the NEC Group, has launched two new catering concepts to reflect the popularity of the street food trend.
Working with existing partner MPM Catering, Amadeus introduced its new ‘Cook Street' concept at the Spring Fair International, which was held at the NEC in February. MPM's four units comprise Sizzling Squid, Alice May's Burgers, the Whole Hog and the Bread Basket and reflect a move away from traditional fast food.
Paul Morris, chief executive of MPM, explained: "Our research shows that at live events people are looking less at burgers and hot dogs and more at street food, with the emphasis on quality and convenience. Today people are more aware of, and have a greater understanding for, the source of food - they want to know where the food comes from. We buy our food locally and know its provenance, so we can deliver dishes that meet and exceed customer's expectations."
Meanwhile Amadeus's has used its partnership with the Flying Coffee Bean (FCB), to develop an offer that reflects what it described as the ‘third wave of coffee' movement: high quality coffee that is being produced by independent roasters who are roasting in small batches and spearheading an increasingly specialised coffee culture.
FCB has used this insight to refine its brand proposition over the last 18 months and it has renamed its offer to FCB Artisan Espresso Bars.
Barny Clevely, managing director of FCB, said: "The third wave movement aspires to the highest form of culinary appreciation of coffee, with consumers appreciating subtleties of flavour, varietal and growing region - similar to other complex consumable plant-derived products such as wine, tea and chocolate.
"At FCB we pride ourselves not only on using high grade, small batch roasted coffee, but on our training, experience, passion and delivery. Anyone can make a coffee, but to make a great coffee it takes precision, attention to detail, enthusiasm and knowledge. We're proud to be a partner of Amadeus and to deliver great coffee to a mass audience."
Amadeus said that the new concepts are part of the company's efforts to continually improve the customer experience.
Marc Frankl, Amadeus food & beverage manager, commented: "Everything we do is driven by insight and research and these two new brand propositions from our existing partners are testament to that and together we are tapping into food trends that our customers are craving for.
"The food and beverage offering at the NEC group has been moving forward towards quality, provenance led food for some time and since launching in spring the new concepts have so far been well received. We look forward to continuing to work closely with MPM and FCB and delivering an enhanced offering to our customers."