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07/17/2009 4:19 PM ET
Cleveland Indians Executive Chef James Major Named Regional Executive Chef by Delaware North Companies Sportservice
Major continues as top chef at Progressive Field; oversaw All-Star parties in St. Louis
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 17, 2009) - Delaware North Companies Sportservice has named James Major, executive chef for the Cleveland Indians, one of four regional executive chefs to oversee the company's culinary efforts across the United States and Canada.
Major is continuing to lead Sportservice's significant culinary operations at Progressive Field.
In his expanded role, Major is also lending his expertise to other Sportservice locations in Ohio - Cleveland Browns Stadium, Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Nationwide Arena in Columbus and Fifth Third Field in Dayton - as well as locations in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Florida. Specifically, Major is assisting and mentoring other chefs in operating premium dining, catering and concessions and heading large culinary teams assigned to a number of Delaware North's most complex events.
For example, Major recently led Sportservice's culinary efforts, including overseeing a half-dozen other Sportservice chefs and 100 St. Louis-area culinary students, in catering the All-Star Gala and All-Star Pre-Game Party in St. Louis for Major League Baseball® (MLB).
About 4,000 guests attended each party, MLB's two premiere hospitality events. Major successfully managed the preparation of more than 20 different St. Louis-themed dishes that St. Louis Cardinals Executive Chef Jeramie Mitchell, also a Sportservice regional executive chef, developed for the events. Mitchell focused on overseeing Busch Stadium's premium, suite and catering operations for the 2009 All-Star Game® and other events.
Major joined Sportservice in February 2007 as Progressive Field's terrace club chef, overseeing the kitchens and all catering operations, developing menus and assisting the executive chef in managing the staff.
Since becoming the executive chef in 2008, the Cleveland native has helped introduce a number of successful initiatives, including the popular "Dinner on the Diamond" gourmet dinner experience, which is returning for a second year in 2009. In April he helped roll out the Go! Foods healthy menu selections at Progressive Field, a joint initiative between the Indians and the Cleveland Clinic.
Major has brought diverse culinary experience to Delaware North. In May 2003, he began operating his own Cleveland restaurant, Major's Club Isabella, where he oversaw all operations until joining Sportservice. He began his culinary career as a cook in the Navy.
Major is certified as a chef de cuisine by the American Culinary Federation. He has received several prestigious awards, including the "Taste of Cleveland" 2003 award, "Cleveland's Best Appetizers" in 2004, and three Navy and Marine Corps achievement medals for outstanding service and valor. He also won the regional James Beard Award Dinner in 2001.
Major holds an associate degree in occupational studies in the culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America.
In addition to Major and Mitchell, Sportservice's other regional executive chefs are Mark Szubeczak from the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park and Kevin Doherty of TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins and Celtics.
About Delaware North Companies Sportservice
Delaware North Companies Sportservice is one of the nation's leading food, beverage and retail management companies, providing concessions, gourmet catering and fine dining operations at more than 50 professional sporting venues, entertainment complexes and convention centers across the United States and Canada. Sportservice has served an impressive collection of sporting events and clients, including the World Series, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball's All-Star Games, Stanley Cup Championships and the Olympic Games.
For more than 90 years, Sportservice has demonstrated that it knows what it takes to effectively develop, operate and manage multi-faceted kitchens, restaurants, suites, fine dining and retail facilities in order to meet the changing demands of today's fans. From introducing new healthy, organic food selections and creative cuisine for twists on the traditional fare, Sportservice continues to innovate and enhance the fan experience.
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