New Concept Features Rotating Roster of Local Chefs and Showcases Culinary Innovation

When Cleveland Cavaliers fans return to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the tipoff of the 2015-2016 season, a first-of-its-kind concession stand, offering a rotating selection of local restaurateurs and up-and-coming concepts from Cleveland’s flourishing food scene, will welcome them. New to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this season, Launch Test Kitchen is the latest innovation from Aramark, the arena’s exclusive food and beverage provider and the food and beverage partner of five NBA teams. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is the first NBA arena in the country to introduce this new concept.

Launch Test Kitchen will feature a rotating menu centered around food trends and customer feedback. A real-life “test kitchen,” everything from the stand’s menu, equipment and overall aesthetic can transform from event to event!

Located in Section 126 of The Q, this unique, new stand will be outfitted with versatile food preparation equipment and digital signage and menu boards, allowing food and beverage concepts to be rotated throughout the season at the flip of a switch. The stand will also be equipped with a guest feedback component, to determine which items resonate most with fans. Items with overwhelming popularity have the potential of being added to The Q’s permanent menu, while the core menu of the stand will constantly be refreshed with new ideas and items.

“Launch Test Kitchen is all about flexibility, variety and customization,” said Carl Mittleman, President of Aramark’s Sports and Entertainment division. “Our new stand at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse allows us to quickly adopt food trends, introduce new items, or local chefs, based on those trends, and gather guest feedback, making it a very interactive experience. Our guests are helping to determine the menu.”

“We’re very excited to be the first venue in the country to offer a transformational concession stand for fans at The Q,” said Mozelle Jackson, Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “It’s great to work with our partners at Aramark who are always keeping ahead of the curve with innovative and creative concepts to provide our fans with exciting new food options.”

The Launch Test Kitchen stand will officially launch on Thursday, October 29th as the Lake Erie Monsters face the Charlotte Checkers, and will feature menu items from acclaimed Cleveland chef and owner of TownHall and Lago, Fabio Salerno. Existing Aramark chef partner and Executive Chef/Owner of Hodge’s, Chris Hodgson, will be featured in the Launch Test Kitchen stand next, with other local concepts set to rotate throughout the season.

Chef Fabio’s menu that will be available for the official opening will include:

#TheMeatballer: Salerno family meatballs, Lago marinara sauce, shredded provolone and sweet banana peppers on a freshly baked sesame seed bun.

Salerno Family Meatballs: The way Chef grew up eating them! Two meatballs, marinara sauce, grated Parmesan and a piece of authentic Italian bread.

Grilled Cheese Bars & Roasted Tomato Dipping Sauce: Roasted tomatoes, Gruyere and organic white cheddar on sourdough bread with a roasted tomato dipping sauce.

Italian Wedges: Potato wedges topped with pancetta, grated parmesan cheese and a truffle oil drizzle.

Popcorn Shrimp: Lightly floured gulf shrimp, fried and served over a bed of buttery popcorn, salted with fresh lemon juice.

The Sicilian Panini: Ciabatta pressed handheld sandwich with capicola, sopressata, salami, provolone, arugula and pickled onion.

Baby Kale Salad: Fresh kale with boiled egg, crispy pancetta, shaved red onion, Grana Padano cheese with white balsamic dressing.

Snack Pack Trail Mix: Almonds, dark chocolate chips, pretzel rods, dried apples & blueberries, toasted pumpkin seeds and a sprinkle of sea salt.

The Launch Test Kitchen pilot program at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is part of Aramark’s overarching innovation, research and development initiative. Aramark will also launch a Launch Test Kitchen pop-up restaurant/café concept at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will continue to grow the Launch Test Kitchen brand throughout its Sports and Entertainment portfolio.