Wales taking on France during last years Six Nations
Welsh rugby fans watching their waistlines after the festive period will be cheered by the news that the Millennium Stadium will be stocking a choice of healthy food throughout the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Rugby supporters can choose fresh soup and noodles at food outlets inside the home of Welsh sport when Wales face England for the Friday night opener of the tournament on 4 February (kick-off 7.45pm) and when Ireland travel to Cardiff on Saturday, 12 March (kick-off 5.00pm).
Millennium Stadium’s caterers trialled the low-fat snacks throughout the 2010 Autumn Series and found that demand increased each week for healthy alternatives when Wales clashed with four of the world’s best rugby teams. At Wales v New Zealand last month, roughly 400 fans went for the healthier option and Millennium Stadium staff are expecting numbers to improve again in the New Year.
Gerry Toms, Stadium Manager, said: “We have found that there is a clear demand for healthy eating options at Millennium Stadium events. It was always the intention of our catering team to introduce healthier options in the New Year and I’m delighted that the rugby fans enjoyed a sample of what was on offer last month, during the Autumn Internationals.
“Lots of us begin the New Year with a plan to improve our health after an indulgent Christmas period. At the Millennium Stadium, we welcomed 1,200 party-goers in December for a traditional Christmas dinner and we hope that our range of food and beverage options will attract them back again for the rugby, whatever their New Year’s resolutions!”
Rugby fans enjoyed 8,000 hot dogs, 4,000 pies, 800 faggots and peas and 200 pizzas the last time that Warren Gatland’s Wales squad faced England at the Millennium Stadium in 2009. “An outing to the Millennium Stadium will always be considered a treat,” added Mr Toms. “But as awareness of healthy food continues to grow we look forward to offering a range of locally-produced, healthy foods at the venue.” Throughout 2010, Millennium Stadium’s caterers introduced more and more local ingredients to the menu as part of its commitment to get behind the Truly British, Truly Local food sourcing campaign.
The Truly Local initiative ensures that the food on the Millennium Stadium’s menu is made from local ingredients and sourced within a restricted radius of Cardiff’s city-centre venue, presenting opportunities for Welsh farmers, growers and producers.
In Pembrokeshire in particular, a hotspot for early crops and extended seasons due to warm sea breezes and fertile soils, local farmers are producing the best quality vegetables in readiness for up to 150,000 rugby fans that will descend on the Millennium Stadium for the 2011 RBS 6 Nations in February.
For further information, please contact MS Communications Manager Gemma James on email and telephone: 07725828498.