2019 POWER PLAYERS: THE CULINARY INFLUENCE
Recognized by Sports Business Journal/Daily as 2019 Power Players: The Culinary Influence, Legends is thrilled to have five culinary leaders honored for spearheading Legends’ hospitality division, which features some of the best premium experiences in all of sports and entertainment.
“The individuals highlighted in the following pages have demonstrated a vision to deliver across the entire range of fan experience, from creative menus and dining spaces, to ease of ordering and pickup, to local sourcing of ingredients. They are executives leading some of the largest food, beverage, hospitality and fan experience companies in the industry, consultants and designers offering a fresh perspective on the sports space, and some of the most gifted chefs and experts on cuisine.”
DAN SMITH
President, Legends Hospitality Division
RICHARD PORTEUS
Regional Vice President-East
CT NICE
Regional Vice President-Central
DAVID LIPPMAN
Regional Vice President-West
Smith, who worked in high school as a vendor at Yankee Stadium, leads Legends’ concessions and hospitality division, which recently added Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to its client list.
Lippman introduced diverse menus to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, including themed food items after Japanese star Shohei Ohtani joined the Angels, and partnered with local ethnic eateries and food truck operators at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.
At Yankee Stadium, Porteus opened new communal areas, a wine bar and grab-n-go spaces aimed at younger fans attending games for the social experiences.
At AT&T Stadium, Nice delivers for myriad special and mega events with expansive and diverse food and beverage needs.
ORAZIO LaMANNA
Regional Executive Chef
LaManna has overseen culinary and concessions and premium food operations at AT&T Stadium and helps engineer new menu items and pricing for Legends’ concessions arm. The Canadian-born chef earned high honors from the Culinary Institute of America and worked at high-end hotels including the Four Seasons in Ottawa. LaManna got his start in the food business as dishwasher at a hotel in Thunder Bay, Ontario, when he was 15.