Siemens Crystal conference centre appoints Sodexo Prestige as caterer

Sodexo Prestige has been awarded the catering contract, which includes the public, workplace and event catering, for the newly-constructed Siemens’ Crystal conference centre.
 
The Crystal is a new landmark centre for urban sustainability opening in London’s Royal Victoria Docks on 29 September 2012. It represents a £30m investment by Siemens and will be home to the company’s global Centre of Competence Cities, a team of multi-disciplinary urban experts, who aim to encourage the growth of sustainable cities through partnerships, research and expert collaboration.  
 
The glass-clad structure covers 6,300sqm and is designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects to achieve top scores on the BREEAM and LEED international assessments for energy-efficient buildings. The Crystal’s meeting facilities include a 270-seat auditorium.
 
The Crystal will have office space and an exhibition centre and a café, named The Crystal Café, which seats 72 and looks onto the Royal Victoria Dock.
 
“We have been appointed as a result of our innovative ideas which combine both the highest standards in service and quality with a determination to source and prepare food in the most sustainable manner possible,” MD for Sodexo Prestige in London, James Greetham, said. “This approach reflects the Siemens brand and the vision of the building itself and was fundamental to Sodexo Prestige being awarded the contract.”
 
When recruiting, wherever possible Sodexo claims it prioritises candidates from the local community, in the case of The Crystal, working closely with Newham Workplace, the council’s recruitment service.
 
Hannah Abbey, who has joined Sodexo Prestige’s Crystal café team as part of the Newham Workplace initiative, said: “I’ve recently been to Sodexo Prestige’s barista school and I am excited about putting my new coffee knowledge into practice.”
 
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