The Republican National Convention's Committee on Arrangements on Thursday announced the official caterers for the convention.
More than 50 caterers were considered and 12 were selected.
The caterers chosen are as follows:
Quicken Loans Arena
· Aramark
· Driftwood Group
· Hungry Bee
· Marigold Catering
Progressive Field
· A Taste of Excellence
· Delaware North
· Simply Southern Sides
Freedom Plaza
· Aramark
· Delaware North
· Del’s Catering
Huntington Convention Center
· Bubba’s Q
· Executive Caterers
· Levy
· Normandy Catering
Claude Booker, owner of Simply Southern Sides in Macedonia, estimated he will serve between 1,000 and 5,000 volunteers and staff members each day of the convention.
His menu will include smoked brisket, turkey ribs, Bourbon glazed rib tips, St. Louis ribs, Jambalaya, red beans and sausage, sweet potato casserole and other specialty foods.
"It's a very big deal. I'm really ecstatic," Booker said. "These folks are gonna get some good southern eating!"
Booker said he will double his staff from 25 to 50 in order to prepare and serve the food during RNC week.
He said catering the huge event will be his company's biggest financial windfall by far.
"I think it's gonna be a whole bunch and a whole bunch is relative to that person. I think it's a whole bunch of money," he said.
“We would like to thank all the caterers who took part in the selection process, and congratulate these 12 who will be helping us put on a fantastic convention,” said Convention CEO Jeff Larson. “The Convention is rapidly approaching, and these official caterers will play a crucial role in making sure all of our delegates, guests, and volunteers have the time of their lives. Their contributions to the Convention cannot be understated, and we are very excited to include these caterers in our preparations.”
