The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is searching for a team to run the catering operation at its flagship theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, which is currently under reconstruction.
The company has made the decision to no longer contract the running of its food and beverage offer out to an existing food service operator but to run it in-house instead. The contract was previously held by French contract caterer Eliance.
The RSC has appointed Chris Barber, managing director of consultancy Leiths Food Solutions, who together with restaurateur and ex Fat Duck general manager Nigel Sutcliffe has been tasked with implementing a culinary team.
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which closed for refurbishment in 2007, will reopen in the autumn with a 150-seat restaurant and riverside café, with Barber and Sutcliffe driving the recruitment of key personnel.
Barber, who spent more than a decade as personal chef to Prince Charles, told Caterer he was looking for a "young, dynamic and special team" to run the operation.
"The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is such an incredibly unique venue and the food offer needs to reflect this. We can't offer the same as other places," he said.
"We want to serve good quality, fresh food that caters to the very diverse audience the theatre attracts. We are looking for both a talented chef and a head of catering operations to oversee and drive the business."
The RSC is transforming the venue into a modern-day Shakespeare theatre. The building, designed by architects Bennetts Associates, will include a thrust stage auditorium able to seat more than 1,000 visitors, as well as the expansion and renovation of public areas.
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By Kerstin Kühn
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