Amadeus, which is part of the NEC Group, has won a seven year contract worth £5.4 million to provide the catering at Dudley Zoological Gardens (DZG).
Amadeus will take the reins on 7th April 2014 and will initially run a café and three kiosks for visitors to the unique attraction – this will increase to four kiosks next year. Amadeus’ primary focus will be improving the quality of food and service.
The café menu will be based on Amadeus’ successful Oak Kitchen concept and will include customer favourite the Brummie Balti, as well as introducing some popular Black Country dishes such as Faggots, Mash and Peas. Amadeus will also offer real dairy ice cream from nearby Henley in Arden.
Amadeus will also manage events for the venue, using its vast experience to grow this area of the business. The castle is the perfect setting for weddings, corporate and private functions; Amadeus already runs similar operations at a number of venues including Stoneleigh Abbey, Hagley Hall and Kenilworth Castle.
As well as improvements to the catering offer, DZG is part way through a five year investment programme that expects to see significant visitor growth. A dedicated £1.2million from West Midlands European Regional Development Fund will upgrade roads across the 40-acre site, fund new signage and create a medieval animal-based visitor experience within the 11th century Dudley Castle.