The new caterers for next season.

[TGR]

The issue of whether or not the stuff we were sampling today could be delivered on a much larger scale on matchdays, without a reduction in quality, was raised (de niro was sceptical about it). They were confident that it can, and will, be done though. I guess the proof will be in the pudding (or pies) next season.

They're obviously taking it very seriously. They were adamant that there wouldn't significant price increases on the standard offerings, although obviously if you're willing to pay more for a higher standard of catering you have the option to do so.

The age-old problem of queueing was also raised, and I think this will be key. The half time queues are still ridiculous, certainly in my section of the ground (probably because that's where all ths piss cans sit) and you invariably miss the start of the second half if you queue up for a pint or a pie. It'll be interesting to see if they can sort it out.

Beer wasn't really mentioned specifically (it was mainly about the food), although they did say they were looking at multi-pint dispensers and the latest technology to try and speed up service. They also mentioned being able to order via an app and then collecting your order at half time, and also the ability to just have your season card swiped and paying that way rather than messing about with change etc. Think that's further down the line though. Hopefully the 3G issue will be resolved by then.

I rarely buy food at the game, mainly because it's grim and overpriced. If they're able to deliver the stuff we tasted today I'd be more inclined to do so, especially if the prices are reasonable, as it was genuinely very good.

At fucking last!

It's not as if they're anything new, they had them in Mary D's 10 years ago!

Exactly - that's my point!

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Checketts can go F off. He is one of the banes of my existence. He alone ruined the Knicks in the late 1990's and early 2000's, he led Pat Riley walk and helped assemble one of the worst teams the NBA has seen in the early 2000's.

We aren't eating him mate.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

I wonder if they will now 'anticipate' the half -time rush of 47,000 fans wanting a pint at this particular point in the afternoon / evening or will it continue to take them by surprise as it has done for the last 40 odd years or so?

Looking at getting more people in early to reduce half-time rushes as people will have eaten pre-match. Also looking at app's to tell you where the least busiest kiosks are near you, also looking at putting people near the bottom of stairwells to sell you stuff at a different point of entry so that there's less demand on the kiosks and possibly the ability to pre-order your food and drinks, probably a similar system to the theatre.

With the wider concourses they are looking to build with seating areas and better kiosks the whole deal will be vastly improved in the next few seasons.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I see the Victor Meldrew brigade are out in full force.

The fact is the food at the stadium is currently overpriced crap. I am happy to wager that there won't be a discernible increase in prices because our supporter base cannot afford it. I expect the club have looked at send per head and reckon they can significantly increase it by improving the quality and service alone.

At least wait for the change before complaining about it. The club have not undertaken such a radical change without considering price elasticity intently imo.

I expect people to be pleasantly surprised, although I'm sure they'll find something else to moan about.

well i'm moaning as there's been no mention of Beluga or Louis Roederer, 1990 Cristal Brut

Only the vulgar, nouveau riche eat Beluga. The real connoisseur has Malossol. I am disappointed in you Squirty.

 

[TGR]

I wonder if they will now 'anticipate' the half -time rush of 47,000 fans wanting a pint at this particular point in the afternoon / evening or will it continue to take them by surprise as it has done for the last 40 odd years or so?

Looking at getting more people in early to reduce half-time rushes as people will have eaten pre-match. Also looking at app's to tell you where the least busiest kiosks are near you, also looking at putting people near the bottom of stairwells to sell you stuff at a different point of entry so that there's less demand on the kiosks and possibly the ability to pre-order your food and drinks, probably a similar system to the theatre.

With the wider concourses they are looking to build with seating areas and better kiosks the whole deal will be vastly improved in the next few seasons.

I know I am a bitter, cynical, twisted, old moaning bugger (and that's how I like it!) but the idea of pre-ordering via an App has fucking 'disaster' written all over it. Also just because I have 'eaten pre-match' why will I not want a pint at half time? Why not just do the basics but do them well? Have multi-pint dispensers, have plenty of staff, have plenty of change, have stocks of the popular food items, have helpful, capable staff, give excellent customer service etc etc?

 

[squirtyflower]

I see the Victor Meldrew brigade are out in full force.

The fact is the food at the stadium is currently overpriced crap. I am happy to wager that there won't be a discernible increase in prices because our supporter base cannot afford it. I expect the club have looked at send per head and reckon they can significantly increase it by improving the quality and service alone.

At least wait for the change before complaining about it. The club have not undertaken such a radical change without considering price elasticity intently imo.

I expect people to be pleasantly surprised, although I'm sure they'll find something else to moan about.

well i'm moaning as there's been no mention of Beluga or Louis Roederer, 1990 Cristal Brut

Only the vulgar, nouveau riche eat Beluga. The real connoisseur has Malossol. I am disappointed in you Squirty.

that's me

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Interesting. Those that were there today are enthused and a group of Main Stand Luddites, who weren't, are procaiming inevitable doom.

Plus ça change.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

I wonder if they will now 'anticipate' the half -time rush of 47,000 fans wanting a pint at this particular point in the afternoon / evening or will it continue to take them by surprise as it has done for the last 40 odd years or so?

Looking at getting more people in early to reduce half-time rushes as people will have eaten pre-match. Also looking at app's to tell you where the least busiest kiosks are near you, also looking at putting people near the bottom of stairwells to sell you stuff at a different point of entry so that there's less demand on the kiosks and possibly the ability to pre-order your food and drinks, probably a similar system to the theatre.

With the wider concourses they are looking to build with seating areas and better kiosks the whole deal will be vastly improved in the next few seasons.

I know I am a bitter, cynical, twisted, old moaning bugger (and that's how I like it!) but the idea of pre-ordering via an App has fucking 'disaster' written all over it. Also just because I have 'eaten pre-match' why will I not want a pint at half time? Why not just do the basics but do them well? Have multi-pint dispensers, have plenty of staff, have plenty of change, have stocks of the popular food items, have helpful, capable staff, give excellent customer service etc etc?

Yhp. They have hired 1,300 staff out of a pool of applicants who will not only be trained but be brought into the same ethos that Jamie uses with his staff at all his restaurants that creates good service and incentives to encourage them to work efficiently and be passionate about what they do, they're including them in this whole process. The staff will be more efficient, keener to do the job and will know what's on offer, have tasted it and know how to describe it. The swipe cards/e-cards will reduce the need to use the cash tills as it will I think debit the money off the card. Each kiosk will have electronic monitors that will record the quantity of each item sold at a kiosk so they know exactly which kiosk needs what and what sells the most in that area so they can increase the quantity of that product. Multi-pint dispensers will be one of a number of measures implemented at bars and it's all aimed at quick, speedy service. They have ideas they want to trial as well and realise there will be mistakes and maybe a few teething problems but they will have people walking around the concourses for feedback and they will act on it. They've spent a year planning all these changes.

 

[The Pink Panther]

We've had all this nonsense before, taste testing
The stuff that eventually ends up on sale to the masses, will be of very little difference to what was on sale last season and the one before, however the cost will increase

Staffing issues at the bars will not change either

No I'm not being a miserable ****, I'm being realistic

I put exactly that to them. seems that is exactly the food we'll get and they are right now talking with the 1300 full time staff they are taking on.

Ric/Bill I appreciate that you've replied to my Victor Meldrew'esq post

1300 full time staff for between 25 and 30 afternoons/evenings and for which they will be required to work at any sort of speed for 3 hours!!
That's a lot of wages for not a lot of work

In Ric' post he says " They were adamant that there wouldn't significant price increases on the standard offerings" so that means there will be price increases
How much was a pie and pint deal last year, was it £6 or £7 and that's going up
It's no wonder the chippy next to Mary D's takes a fortune on matchdays

If they haven't the space for multi pint dispensers, as we've been told so many times, how on earth are they going to incorporate a pre order bar/bars, unless this is for "corporate" L2 customers?

 

[bluestevei]

They should have given the contract to Burger King/KFC you fat bastards.

KFC NOW YOUR TALKING