Barbadian firm Goddard Enterprises has landed one of the largest contracts for the 2007 International Cricket Council's World Cup (CWC) tournament.

The company and its international partner have been selected as the official caterer for the tournament, the biggest in the sport and the most significant event ever to be held in the region.

The partnership of Goddard Catering Group Ltd (GCG) – the catering division of Goddard Enterprises Ltd. Barbados – and Positive Impact – a sports and entertainment consulting group, located in New Jersey – was chosen to develop and manage wide-ranging catering programmes for the tournament.

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Successful tender

The contract was signed between representatives of Goddard's and the CWC earlier this week during the ongoing venue summit at the Hilton Barbados. Representing Goddard's were Pedro Corbin, general manager for Goddard's Antigua; Barry Byrne, general manager for Goddard's Jamaica; and Francine Haughton, the firm's special projects co-ordinator.

Stephen Price, the CWC commercial manager, praised the consortium on their successful tender, noting that it was another example of the Caribbean Economic Enterprise Initiative (CEE) flourishing.

Under the CEE, which has been designed by CWC to ensure regional companies benefit from the event, all international companies seeking to qualify for CWC contracts must partner with CARICOM nationals.

"The union of these two companies is a great example of how CWC envisages the CEE working," Price said. "CWC looks forward to a world-class and efficient catering programme which will satisfy the needs of all fans – from those in the high-end suites to those who prefer to patronise itinerant vendors and food stalls around the stadia."

Catering opportunities

He added that the CWC would soon embark on a regional public-education and awareness campaign about catering opportunities.

Corbin, who was vice-captain of the Barbados Under-19 cricket team in the 1970s, told the WEEKEND NATION that the company was "elated" to have been awarded the contract.

He said Goddard's operates in six of the tournament's nine host venues, and added that it was an honour for the Goddard Catering Group – especially as a Caribbean entity – to be associated with such a prestigious event.

"This is a true testament to the resolve of the Goddard's team. We look forward to working with Positive Impact and tournament organisers to provide the best possible catering services and options," he added.

The joint bid was chosen after a tender process which was conducted
regionally and internationally.

The role of the official caterer will include the fair selection, licensing
and management of vendors in each of the host venues and will involve Goddard Catering Group and Positive Impact working with the CWC design team on issues relating to vendors. They will soon be inviting applications for vending at all stadia in a variety of categories, including the traditional itinerant vendor, suite caterer, concession-stand operator and bar operator.

There will also be provision for stand-alone vendors inside and outside of the Mello Zone – named after Mello, the official mascot of the tournament.


(Philip Spooner is the Cricket World Cup 2007 correspondent for the NATION Newspapers in Barbados. He has been covering the tournament since 2003.)

Posted: October 10, 2006