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The nation has been gripped by Team GB’s sporting achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Behind the scenes Eat to the Beat, the specialist catering division of Global Infusion Group, has been busy at Team GB’s Performance Lodge in Clichy and Preparation Camp in Saint Germain en Laye, ensuring that the all the athletes and their support partners were well fed.
Whilst the catering operation delivered by Eat to the Beat had been planned months in advance, its importance grew when reports began to emerge in the mainstream media that athletes weren’t happy with the food being served at the other catering facilities available to them. It’s well documented that Team GB’s athletes were flocking to the Performance Lodge to enjoy the delicious and nutritious food prepared and served there. Eat to the Beat was able to respond quickly to the increase in demand, flying out an additional chef from the UK and having the capacity to deliver 400 covers a day if needed.
“Eat to the Beat is well known for the delicious food that we serve. For us that’s a given, where we come into our own is our top-notch logistics and creating a home from home environment. Whether it’s music artists on a world tour, or in the case of the Olympics our superstar athletes, we want them to feel welcome and relaxed", comments CEO Bonnie May.
“Every finite detail was meticulously planned. We travelled to both venues with Team GB to ensure their suitability beforehand. Clichy is a catering college, so it’s the perfect environment and well equipped for food service delivery. Whilst the space at Saint German en Laye was quite tight. To ensure it would work we recreated the dining room down to the last Bain Marie during a tasting session held at our headquarters in Aston Clinton.
“During the games our team on the ground really went the extra mile; from serving mocktails and bringing in an ice cream bar the night before the opening ceremony to staying late and preparing meals for medal winning athletes when they returned to the performance lodge.”
The athletes have shown their appreciation for the food with socials and media interviews awash with positive comments about the food served.
Team GB’s management have been equally impressed, with Andy McSweeney, deputy head of Performance Lodge saying on the day the athletes arrived: “A huge well done to you and your team. The food at the Performance Lodge has been exceptional from our very first service roughly 10 days ago, so in many ways today was no different. But we all know that when there are athletes on site, we all aim to raise our game another level or two, and I really saw that in your team today. We truly believe it will make a difference to performance and also enhance everyone’s experience of being at the games".
“The biggest news of all is that the sports were raving about the food!! So brilliant job and please pass on my thanks and appreciation to your team - their dedication and commitment never goes unnoticed.”
Team GB’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics saw them finish in seventh spot in the medal table, securing 14 golds and 65 medals in total. Eat to the Beat is looking forward to catering for ParalympicsGB when they arrive in Paris in a few weeks’ time.