Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Andrew Carmellini, Drew Nieporent and Jeremy Marshall to Headline Extensive New Culinary Offerings as Part of Historic Transformation
Carnegie Deli and Hill Country Barbecue Also on New Garden Menu
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (Nasdaq:MSG) today announced that some of the biggest names in New York food will be creating exclusive, world-class culinary options for The World's Most Famous Arena as part of its historic Transformation. Chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Andrew Carmellini, restaurateur Drew Nieporent and Aquagrill's chef and owner Jeremy Marshall, will each create exclusive offerings as part of the new MSG Signature Collection. The MSG Signature Collection will debut in November and December, following the reopening of the Garden in late October, after extensive summer construction that represents the first phase of the three year Transformation project.
In addition to the MSG Signature Collection, food offerings throughout the Arena will be upgraded as the Transformation continues, with items from restaurants Carnegie Deli and Hill Country Barbecue. There will also be additional food items including Healthy Food, Gluten Free, kosher offerings featuring Carlos & Gabby's, desserts from Magnolia Bakery, sushi and the Garden Market, which will provide a wide variety of arena favorites, including pizza and hot dogs.
"In addition to ensuring that Madison Square Garden remains THE destination for historic, unforgettable sports and entertainment for generations to come, our Transformation is also designed to ensure we become a destination for some of the very best food in the city," said Hank Ratner, president and chief executive officer, The Madison Square Garden Company. "Along with significantly enhanced menu options and upgrades for all of our food offerings, we're proud that some of the best chefs and restaurateurs in the world will offer exclusive items as part of our Signature Collection, which will only be available to fans attending our events."
Debuting in late November, Daily Burger from top restaurateur Drew Nieporent will feature several specialty hamburgers and cheeseburgers, while Sausage Boss, by award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini with his partner Luke Ostrom, will showcase an Italian link sausage and cheese bratwurst sandwich. In December, world-famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, along with partner Phil Suarez, will open Simply Chicken, offering a grilled organic chicken sandwich, chicken hot dog and sliced chicken salad. Jeremy Marshall, from top-rated Aquagrill, will open Lobster Shrimp Roll by Aquagrill at several locations also beginning in December. Fans will be able to easily identify each MSG Signature offering through distinctive branding and signage.
In addition, the Arena's 20 new Event Level Suites set to open this October, as well as the 58 new Madison Suites that are expected to debut for the 2012-13 season, will feature new menus developed in conjunction with Mr. Vongerichten, including a number of items from his various restaurants. Additionally, items from Mr. Vongerichten's restaurants as well as select items from the MSG Signature Collection will be available at the Delta SKY360° Club.
Each MSG Signature Collection participant is excited to bring his acclaimed culinary expertise to the iconic Madison Square Garden Arena, particularly as part of its historic Transformation:
"Simply Chicken is our vision of a great option for Garden fans: at the same time healthy and delicious; both familiar and uniquely exciting; affordable yet made from all-organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Just as MSG is reinventing itself to cater to the needs of the modern sports fan and concert-goer, Simply Chicken reflects how people are eating today. Each item on the menu features modern and eclectic twists, prepared with equal attention to our customers' cravings and their desire to eat healthily. We are honored to be launching this addition to our culinary repertoire inside The World's Most Famous Arena."– Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and partner Phil Suarez
"As longtime sports fans and New Yorkers, we couldn't be more excited about contributing to Madison Square Garden's transformation and breaking out Sausage Boss by Carmellini. We are in great company. Think of it as a nightly party at the world's premier sports and entertainment venue, and we're bringing the sausages." - Chef Andrew Carmellini and partner Luke Ostrom
"I've spent a great portion of my life at The World's Most Famous Arena, where so many events and people helped shape my life (Gilbert, Messier, Leetch, 'Eddie,' Earl 'The Pearl,' Clyde, Reed, The Boss, and The Concert for 9/11, to name a few). Now we are shaping a delicious 'Daily' hamburger – New York Style – to bring a smile and add to new Garden memories." - Drew Nieporent
"As a born and bred New Yorker I feel I landed the big one by having my Aquagrill sandwich at Madison Square Garden. The World's Most Famous Arena needed an All-Star Sandwich so I made the Lobster Shrimp Roll." - Chef/owner Jeremy Marshall
The MSG Signature Collection menu will include the following exclusive items:
Simply Chicken (Jean-Georges Vongerichten) – Chicken Hot Dog with Kim Chee and Spicy Mustard; Sliced Chicken Salad, Carrot- Miso Dressing; Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Asian Pears, Thai Mayonnaise (Housemade Pickles, Basil, Potato Chips)
Sausage Boss (Andrew Carmellini) – AC's Italian Link Pizzaiola and Sweet Peppers; Cheese Bratwurst Weinkraut and Mustard
Daily Burger (Drew Nieporent) – Daily Burger with Cheese and Bacon & Onion Jam; Daily Burger with Green Tomato Relish; Daily Burger; French Fries
Lobster Shrimp Roll by Aquagrill (Jeremy Marshall) – Lobster Shrimp Roll on Toasted Split New England Roll
The MSG Signature Collection offerings will be featured at several areas in the Arena, with additional locations added as the Transformation continues.
About the MSG Signature Participants
Aquagrill
In 1996 Jennifer and Jeremy Marshall launched their own venture after many successful stints with notable NYC restaurants. This marriage of great food and fine wine comes together at 6th Avenue and Spring Street in SoHo. Aquagrill features inspired preparations using only the freshest fish and finest ingredients, daily specials, and the best raw bar in NYC (Zagat '11).
Andrew Carmellini
Andrew Carmellini is a Manhattan-based chef and restaurateur who first made a name for himself as Daniel Boulud's chef de cuisine at Cafe Boulud. Six years, two James Beard Foundation awards and a spot on Food & Wine's Best New Chef roster later, Carmellini opened an upscale Italian restaurant in Madison Square Park winning three stars from The New York Times, and one from the Michelin Guide. He is currently the chef and owner of Locanda Verde and The Dutch, two hit restaurants that continually enjoy popularity and praise. Up next, he will open an encore to The Dutch in Miami Beach, FL.
Drew Nieporent
Drew Nieporent is a New York City restaurateur. His company Myriad Restaurant Group owns and operates numerous restaurants including Tribeca Grill, Nobu, Nobu London, Next Door Nobu, Nobu 57, Centrico, and Corton. He has received numerous awards and accolades over the years including the James Beard Foundation's 2009 Outstanding Restaurateur and 2000 Humanitarian of the Year. Myriad has the distinguished honor of being the only restaurant group to earn three coveted Grand Awards from Wine Spectator magazine.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Jean-Georges Vongerichten is one of the world's most famous chefs, but his skills extend far beyond the kitchen. A savvy businessman and formidable restaurateur, Jean-Georges is responsible for the operation and success of a constellation of three- and four-star restaurants in the United States, Europe, and Asia. His collection of restaurants, along with his long-time partner Phil Suarez, includes Jean-Georges, Perry St, Spice Market, Mercer Kitchen, JoJo, Nougatine at Jean-Georges, Terrace at Jean-Georges, ABC Kitchen, and The Mark in New York City; Prime Steakhouse in Las Vegas; Cafe Martinique and Dune in Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas; Lagoon in Bora Bora; Jean-Georges Shanghai in Shanghai; and Market in Paris.
About the Restaurants
Carnegie Deli
The Carnegie Deli in midtown Manhattan was opened in 1937 adjacent to Carnegie Hall. Now in the third generation of owners, the delicatessen is among the most visited restaurants of its type in the city, according to the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau. USA Today has called the restaurant the "most famous" deli in the United States. It is operated by Sandy Levine, whose business card indicates he is the "MBD" = Married Boss's Daughter, namely, Marian Parker.
Hill Country
Hill Country honors the barbecue and live music capital of Texas and takes its "cue" from the legendary meat-markets-turned-barbecue-joints of Central Texas with their distinctive, dry-rub style. All barbecue is cooked fresh daily on premise in a custom meat-smoking room. The brisket, sausage, ribs and other meats are smoked low and slow over Texas post oak and are served on butcher paper, counter-style by the pound as is traditional in Central Texas. Hill Country was named Best BBQ in NY by NY Mag & Time Out NY, and Top 10 BBQ in the US by the Wall Street Journal.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports consists of owning and operating sports franchises, including the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Connecticut Whale (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis, as well as MSG Action Sports, an action sports and lifestyle division. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from MSG's venues. MSG Media consists of the MSG Networks (MSG, MSG Plus, MSG HD and MSG Plus HD) regional sports networks and the Fuse Networks (Fuse and Fuse HD), a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in MSG's diverse collection of venues. These venues include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre and the Wang Theatre. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.
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