Sodexo Live! Partners With Seattle’s Benaroya Hall To Elevate Hospitality Experience  

Sodexo Live! announced a new culinary partnership with Benaroya Hall and the Seattle Symphony, launching in September to align with the Amplify campaign, a $20 million capital revitalization that reimagines the Hall as a more welcoming, community-oriented destination.

Home to the Seattle Symphony, the Hall opened in 1998 in downtown Seattle and is he most visited performing arts venue in the city. The venue has received numerous awards, including a 2001 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award for outstanding architecture.

Benaroya Hall has three performance venues, the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall and Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, all renowned for their pristine acoustics, luxurious design and prime location.

Renovations include a new café, welcome desk, lounge spaces and a new community room for public programming. Plans also include improved lighting, entrances, signage and wayfinding with the goal of enhancing Benaroya Hall’s reputation as culture while helping revitalize the downtown area.

In collaboration with award-winning Seattle chef and restaurateur Ethan Stowell, the Sodexo Live! partnership will redefine the food and beverage experience at the cultural landmark.

As culinary consultant, Stowell will work closely with Sodexo Live! to shape and elevate the Hall’s hospitality program, from menu development and seasonal offerings to specialty activations. Together, the teams will introduce restaurant-quality dining designed to complement on-stage programs.  

“It’s an honor to partner with Benaroya Hall and the Seattle Symphony to bring a new level of excellence to one of Seattle’s most cherished cultural destinations,” stated Belinda Oakley, CEO, Sodexo Live!, in the announcement. “Working alongside Chef Stowell, we’re committed to creating hospitality experiences that complement the artistry on stage and enrich every guest interaction.”

When Benaroya Hall reopens in September following the Amplify construction, the expanded café in The Boeing Company Gallery will offer breakfast and lunch daily, transitioning into a refined pre-show dining destination on performance evenings.

Benaroya Hall’s onsite restaurant in the Norcliffe Founders Room will debut a refreshed menu. Concessions and bar programs throughout the hall will also be elevated, with expanded beverage selections. New guest-centric features will include advanced beverage pre-ordering for arrival or intermission, curated grab-and-go snack boxes, premium packages and expanded catering for special events.

“Benaroya Hall is an extraordinary cultural home for Seattle, and it deserves a food and beverage experience that reflects the same creativity and excellence found on its stages,” added Stowell. “I’m excited to collaborate with Sodexo Live! to create menus that celebrate the region’s ingredients, feel welcoming and vibrant, and add another meaningful layer to the overall guest experience.”

Sodexo Live! manages convention, cultural and sporting venues and major events across the globe including Seattle’s T-Mobile Park.

“This partnership allows us to expand what Benaroya Hall can be for our community,” stated Maria Yang, Acting CEO and Chief Development & Project Officer. “With newly renovated spaces and elevated hospitality experiences, we’re creating more reasons for people to visit throughout the day, whether for coffee, lunch, a pre-show dinner or simply to gather with friends. Together with Sodexo Live! and Chef Stowell, we’re shaping Benaroya Hall into a welcoming destination where exceptional food, music and community come together.”