Behind-the-scenes look at the food at Levi's Stadium
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- Mark your calendars -- the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 49ers new stadium will be July 17. On Wednesday, ABC7 News got a behind-the-scenes look at the food they'll be serving at Levi's Stadium.
It may not be The French Laundry, but let's just say "magnifique" seems like an appropriate word to describe the food 49ers fans will come across inside the new stadium. "We have Asian foods. We have Indian food, Mexican, BBQ, sausages," said Levi's Stadium Chef Ryan Stone.
Of course, no one is thinking of doing away with tradition there -- except that they may just serve the healthiest hot dog you've ever tried. "It's antibiotic, hormone-free meats. It's a natural casing. They're actually hung and smoked which is something that's unusual for a hot dog at a stadium," Stone explained.
Stone traveled around the world as a chef before landing this job. He loves all that's on the menu, so don't ask him which one is his favorite. "That would be like asking a parent of three to pick their favorite child. It's not fair," he said.
For vegans, there will be no tofu served there. Instead, they'll have things like Portobello mushrooms on a steamed bun. The food preparation will be done in the main kitchen. The final meals will be cooked right at the concession stands to ensure that everything is fresh.
Zach Hensley is the general manager of Centerplate, the company running this show. "We have 33 fixed concessions stands. We have another 64 portable concessions," he said. There will be 16 huge wood stove pizza ovens and more than 1,000 beer taps.
Among the main attractions are the club houses, seven in all, each with its own kitchen and bar. "We offer everything that you would want in a facility. And it was really important to take our menu that we offer at the general areas, and bring that into the clubs as well," Hensley said. On game days, more than 2,000 employees will be serving fans.
The first 49ers game at Levi's Stadium will be on August 17 for a pre-season game against the Denver Broncos.
