Talk About a Poor Restaurant Review, ESPN Takes on Stadium/Arena Concessions by John Hendrie

2010-07-28

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LRA Worldwide Move over Frank Bruni, Restaurant Critic for the New York Times. The Big Apple has nothing on fast food production and consumption at our sports venues in North America. I wonder how much media play this will get? It certainly caught my eye and attention.

ESPN reviewed Health Department Inspection Reports for food and beverage outlets at all 107 arenas and stadiums, representing the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL. At thirty venues (28%), more than half of the concession stands or restaurants had been cited for at least one “Critical” or “Major” health violation.

WOW - Hold that dog, cancel that Brat, toss the nachos, tank the sushi! We’re talking about a critique of the American spirit and psyche, even memorialized in a National favorite tune, “Take me out to the Ball Game” with those peanuts and Cracker Jacks (in sealed packages, you might note).

Such violations do pose a risk for food-borne illness. Food safety experts felt that the pressure to deliver that volume of fast food – mostly in cramped spaces, manned by part-timers – created that risk, requiring more oversight and inspection frequency. Those of us in the Trade or those who have restaurants as part of their operations know fully safety requirements and the repercussions of a poor inspection. Certainly, we have experienced pressure from our high volume kitchens or banquet prep. Often, for expediency, safety is shorted. Sometimes we get caught; mostly, we do not and can rectify the situation with that extra time and attention. Stadium dining is a different world, and, fortunately, we have not had a huge, very public incident of illness.

"To say it's a critical violation, it sends a pang of fear in the public's mind that they're not being looked out for, and that's not the case," said Richard Andersen, chairman of the Industry Affairs Council with the International Association of Assembly Managers, which represents sports stadium managers and concession companies. "These are moral people. They're trying to do the right thing...the last thing they want to do is have something not go well." He went on to say most violations are corrected on the spot in the presence of health department inspectors. Most stadiums also use private companies to conduct third-party inspections and food service worker training.

I am not sure I have that comfort level after reading the article. But, will I not fulfill that Fan Experience? Heck no, “Go Team”, pass the pizza, don’t spill the beer, and hey, Cotton Candy-man (talk about an airborne germ net)!