Enterprise
2024
Driving culinary excellence through CHEFS® program
Delaware North continues to focus on culinary excellence, training and innovation, including through the growth of the CHEFS® (Culinary and Hospitality Excellence for Future Success) program, which celebrated several key milestones in 2024. In January, the first cohort of 10 emerging culinarians earned their ProChef® I certifications from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), a key development outcome for CHEFS graduates. Six executive chef mentors also earned CIA ProChef I in 2024, enabling them to serve as better teachers and leaders.
The CHEFS community of graduates, executive chef mentors and emerging culinarians surpassed 100 actively engaged participants in 2024, with representation from Delaware North’s Parks and Resorts, Gaming, Travel, Patina Restaurant Group and Sportservice divisions.
More than 30 culinary, food and beverage (F&B) leaders came together for the 2024 Culinary Challenge, held in February at Middleby Innovation Kitchens near Dallas. The “Chef on a Shoestring” challenge tasked teams with creating a multicourse integrated F&B menu on a tight budget of just $40 for food and $35 for beverages. Months of virtual collaboration paved the way for this culinary showcase of creativity and collaboration to stretch ingredients and reduce food waste.
2024
Delaware North’s GreenPath® program celebrates 25 years
Delaware North celebrated the 25th anniversary of its proprietary environmental stewardship and sustainability program, GreenPath®, with programming and events at dozens of locations throughout the year.
The program, formally launched in 1999 in the company’s Parks and Resorts division before expanding across global operations, encompasses five areas of environmental sustainability, including: supply chain, waste, energy and emissions, water and built environment.
GreenPath has helped Delaware North divert thousands of tons of waste from the solid waste stream, save millions of gallons of water, reduce energy consumption and implement more efficient processes. The program has been recognized by various environmental sustainability organizations; federal, state and local governments; airport authorities; professional sports franchises; and hospitality and travel associations.
2024
Delaware North continues to give back in Buffalo, Boston
Delaware North continued its tradition of investing in the communities where it has a presence with a goal of positively impacting the lives of team members, guests and neighbors.
In August, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo officially launched the first phase of a new baseball program, an initiative made possible by a $500,000 donation from Delaware North and the Jacobs family. The program, which kicked off with festivities that included two ceremonial baseball games on the new field at the Seneca-Babcock Clubhouse, will provide new opportunities for local youth to engage in essential team-building activities.
In October, Delaware North CEO Lou Jacobs joined representatives from FeedMore WNY for the groundbreaking ceremony of FeedMore’s new centralized 74-acre site in Hamburg, N.Y. The new facility was made possible in part through the company’s $1.25 million donation to FeedMore’s capital campaign.
In Boston, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Bruins Foundation hosted the foundation’s 20th anniversary in March during a home game, celebrating 20 years of collaboration with charitable organizations and a shared vision to better the Boston community. The Boston Bruins Foundation has raised more than $69 million since its inception.
2024
Team Member Resource Groups launch, encouraging development and connection
Delaware North launched Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs) as part of its commitment to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. All of these voluntary, employee-led groups are open to all team members and create additional development and engagement opportunities.
The inaugural TMRGs in North America include the Black Employee Network, Be You (LGBTQA+ and allies), RISE (Resilience, Impact, Support, Empowerment; women and allies), HOLA (Hispanic and Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advancement) and the Veterans Network.
April 2024
Delaware North locations welcome thousands of guests for special events during the solar eclipse
Several Delaware North locations were in the path of totality of the rare solar eclipse on April 8 in the United States, and special events united people for the once-in-a-generation celestial phenomenon.
Delaware North’s team at Progressive Field in Cleveland welcomed baseball fans and astronomy enthusiasts for a viewing party just before the Cleveland Guardians’ Opening Day game. Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills and where Delaware North operates foodservice, hosted a private party and a community event for nearly 2,000 spectators.
Delaware North Parks and Resorts teams at Niagara Falls State Park in New York, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida and The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake in Ohio also offered special activities for visitors and guests, while corporate headquarters team members and guests of Patina 250 in Buffalo enjoyed a viewing party with eclipse-themed food and beverages.
may 2024
‘Bee the Difference’ campaign supports key organization
Delaware North launched its second annual “Bee the Difference” campaign in partnership with The Bee Cause Project to promote education and awareness for our planet’s pollinators.
The campaign, which ran from April 1 to May 20, offered guests at more than 100 Delaware North U.S. operating locations two specially crafted cocktails: the “Bee’s Harvest Margarita” and the “Bourbon Bee’s Knees,” along with educational augmented reality experiences. Following the promotion, Delaware North donated $21,000 to The Bee Cause to support future education and programs.
