Saturday, 21 October, 2006 11:50 AM

Fan Demand Brings Back Tigers Rally Towels

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The Detroit Tigers are ready to roar into the World Series. Games one and two will be played at Comerica Park. If necessary, games six and seven will also be here.

Source: Delaware North Companies Sportservice

BUFFALO, N.Y., -- For fans attending the 2006 World Series, it'll be a triple play: the St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers and Delaware North Companies Sportservice. With more than 75 years in major league baseball and long-term client relationships with Busch Stadium and Comerica Park, Sportservice knows exactly what it takes to create a World Series- caliber roster of menu items -- and has the team to make it happen.

In fact, the Sportservice team has been perfecting culinary innovations all season-to fans' delight. And come Saturday, they will be stepping up to the "plate" to showcase an all-star culinary lineup; and with it, chefs from more than a dozen Sportservice venues from around the country.

"As America's oldest private hospitality company, we've had the unique opportunity to watch our favorite pastime evolve-alongside our tastes, teams and even our fans," said Rick Abramson, president, Delaware North Companies Sportservice. "This will be the fourth occasion where Sportservice chefs will simultaneously host two stadiums full of hungry World Series ticket holders and the second time we have handled a St. Louis Cardinals/Detroit Tigers series, the first being in 1968. As excitement for the World Series builds, our chefs are honing even more passion behind their creations, and fans can count on both great baseball and great culinary offerings."

Under the helm of culinary Olympian and Certified Executive Chef Rolf Baumann, Sportservice teams at Comerica Park and Busch Stadium will be backed by hundreds of home chefs and 12 guest chefs from the likes of Reno-Sparks Convention Center, US Cellular Field, PETCO Park, Ameriquest Field and more.

"On game days, we have hundreds of chefs already cooking up a storm while most people are still dreaming about their home team victory," explains Chef Baumann. "This year is even more special for us because we're supporting the St. Louis Cardinals who are celebrating a new home at Busch, and honoring our longest standing client relationship of 76 years with the Detroit Tigers. So we've put extra effort into ensuring that magical memories happen one fan at a time. From Hawaiian Ahi tuna to Italian risotto to Asian stir-fry, menus will tempt fans with globally inspired items that sizzle right in front of them. The post-season truly serves up an international fusion of flavors."

According to Chef Baumann, fans tend to dine more heavily when the home team is winning. Here's a look at what fans at Busch Stadium and Comerica Park will be noshing as teams go head to head in the World Series:

St. Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium

Redbird taste buds will take a culinary trip around the world with tasty tidbits, such as an Asian stir-fry station and Mediterranean pasta action station in the Redbird Club. Pre-game and post-game party room buffets include: Caribbean-inspired coconut tempura lobster, veal osso bucco and pan-seared Alaskan halibut. Rounding out the dining options are the always-requested fan favorites: All-American hot dogs and German-inspired bratwurst, buttery hand-rolled pretzels, juicy cheeseburgers and the consistently top-rated menu item at Busch-supreme nachos with a Mexican flair.

Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park

Comerica Park is already a winner with its multinational selection of game-day eateries. Cuisines from every corner of the globe await Tigers fans: Wagyu pomegranate strip loin, herb Parisian vegetables, Brazilian flamed beef and Japanese seafood salad are just a few of the selections that will be offered in the Champion's Club. "Tiger Den" visitors will also enjoy the addition of a one-pound burger with hearty steak fries, 18-inch pizzas and Montgomery Inn pulled pork and chicken. Meanwhile, concessions at Comerica feature pirogues with sour cream, onions and apple sauce; bratwursts; tangy Buffalo Wild Wings; and Hebrew National Kosher Dogs.

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 is the provider of choice for an impressive client roster including the World Series, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball's All-Star games, Stanley Cup Championships and the Olympic Games.

Throughout its 90-year history, 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 healthier food selections and creative cuisine to twists on traditional fare and new organic options, Sportservice continues to innovate and enhance the fan experience.

About Delaware North Companies

Delaware North Companies is one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International, TD Banknorth Garden and American Park 'n Swap. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues approaching $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com .

Sportservice is a registered service mark of Sportservice Corporation. All other service marks and trademarks belong to their respective owners.