Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Selects Culinaire International as House Caterer

The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts has selected Dallas based food and beverage management company Culinaire International to serve as their exclusive in-house caterer and concessionaire. Culinaire will be branded as Tobin Center Catering at the Tobin Center and will provide all food and beverage services for on-site performing arts and private events as well as off-site special events.

Culinaire, founded in 1994 by Richard N. Gussoni, a nationally noted food service professional with a reputation as an expert turnaround operator, has gained national presence with a wide variety of accounts spanning hospitality, performing arts, private clubs, free-standing restaurants, and catering. Culinaire's accounts include the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum in Dallas, and the Doctor Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando.

"The Tobin Center cast a wide net, considering both local and national providers when looking for the perfect caterer, and received several strong proposals. Upon careful review of both the quality of work, experience in the PAC arena, creativity, and the financial agreement - Culinaire was the natural choice," said Mike Fresher, President and CEO of The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. "Their expertise in food and beverage shines through, and we look forward to having them as part of The Tobin Center family."

Tobin Center Catering will appoint seven full time on-site staff including General Manager of Dining Services, Director of Catering, and Banquet Manager, as well as a full time Executive Chef and Sous Chef. Additional personnel and food service employees will be managed by Tobin Center Catering. They will man high-end portable concessions in locations designated and approved by The Tobin Center in the new facility. Tobin Center Catering will also provide full service catering events held outside of The Tobin Center walls.

"We are honored to have been chosen by the Tobin Center as their partner in this prestigious addition to the San Antonio cultural landscape," said Mr. Gussoni. "We look forward to showcasing our cuisine, which is artfully prepared and dramatically presented, mirroring the on-stage theatrical and artistic expressions produced on the Tobin Center stages."

The Tobin Center is owned and operated by the Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation and will open September, 2014, featuring the 1,759-seat H-E-B Performance Hall, the 230-seat Alvarez Family Studio Theater and a 600-seat outdoor performance plaza at the River Walk entrance. The Tobin is a $205 million project, funded by Bexar County bond proceeds, a contribution of land and buildings from the City of San Antonio and by private donations.