Jumeirah gallops to victory in club bid

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Tarini Vosper

Jumeirah Hospitality has won the exclusive catering contract for Dubai Racing Club on the brink of the new season.

Tarini Vosper, manager, hospitality & reservations at Dubai Racing Club said the success of the bid had been down to experience.

"The company fought off other caterers due to its style, consistency, menu selection, pricing and more upmarket product," Vosper said.

"We have worked with our new caterer for many years on Dubai World Cup day, and the team will take responsibility for anything to do with catering from corporate suites, lounges and boxes to sit down meals and family-orientated buffets."

The first race night is scheduled for November 8, and the company will provide its services at all dining areas, including Millennium and Maktoum grandstands.

Four-course menus at Dubai Restaurant will return this year after a firm following last year for the views of the finish line at the outlet. Maktoum Grandstand will offer a special fork dinner buffet with Silver and Gold beverage options.

Vosper said the club stands apart from properties in the city because of its affordable all-inclusive offers and the entertainment provided from the races.

The club witnessed up to 12,000 visitors on race nights every Thursday last year, and the upcoming season will run until March 6.

Vosper revealed planned events at Nad Al Sheba this year will include Party in the Paddock on November 1, to incorporate US $100 packages with food, beverage and entertainment included. Live cooking stations will be central to the night's culinary offering and a "keep it simple approach" to presentation.

Ladies Night on November 29 is tipped to continue the successful approach from last year, with male models serving food and beverage, in addition to fashion and millinery displays, sparkling pink beverages and gifts for all of the guests.

Other scheduled fixtures include festive Evening At The Races on December 13 and Fillies & Fashion on January 10, February 28 and March 6.

Menus will change for every race night, and Vosper said food and beverage selections would vastly improve from previous years with the new partnership.

"We struggled last year with consistency and standards, so we are hoping to change that, as all of this is really preparation for the Dubai World Cup in 2010 and we all be a part of Meydan," Vosper said.

The Meydan development will span 76 million ft² and include a 1km long grandstand building with a capacity of up to 65,000 people, five-star plus hotel and more than 10 restaurants.

A joint venture between Arabtec Construction and WCT Engineering recently won the building contract. Vosper commented that the magnitude of the blueprinted racecourse would allow more newcomers in the hospitality industry to come on board for the Dubai World Cup.

Extension of the catering services at the club beyond race nights is also on the cards, Vosper said, and key draws including parking, views and the grandstands will be promoted.

"Plans for catering on non-race nights are under development at the moment and we are trying to hire staff to take on the functions, and this venue is easy to sell to people," she said.

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