Morris Performing Arts Center Names New Food & Beverage Provider

Today the Morris Performing Arts Center announces Navarre Hospitality Group as its new exclusive in-house food and beverage provider, effective February 4. The South Bend-based catering company will serve as the official food and beverage operator of the Palais Royale ballroom and will oversee the Morris Performing Arts Center's bars and concession stands.

"We're delighted to have this premier restaurant group operate the Morris and Palais food and beverage services," says Dennis Andres, Executive Director of the Morris Performing Arts Center and Palais Royale. "Kurt Janowsky and his Navarre Hospitality Group have an incredible track record of serving private events, in addition to operating highly-regarded restaurants throughout the South Bend region. This partnership will bring food and beverage services to the next level."

The partnership marks the first time since the venue was renovated in 2000 that a locally owned company has held the food and beverage service contract at the Morris Performing Arts Center and its affiliated Palais Royale. Navarre Hospitality Group is known for offering dishes created with farm-to-table sources and using as many local suppliers as possible.

"We have enjoyed a strong partnership with the Morris Performing Arts Center since we opened Café Navarre in 2012, serving the theatre's patrons before and after shows," says Janowsky, founder and CEO of Navarre Hospitality Group. "This agreement illustrates our ongoing efforts to fully leverage local food products and have an even greater impact on the region's economy. We're excited and honored by this opportunity."

In addition to Café Navarre in downtown South Bend-which was named a "Best New Midwest Attraction" 2014 by Midwest Living magazine­-Navarre Hospitality Group owns and operates Artisan, which was Elkhart's first ever four-diamond rated restaurant. Other Navarre venues include The Exchange and the adjacent Vault banquet room in downtown South Bend, O'Rourke's at Eddy Street Commons, and Rocky River Tap and Table in Granger.

Navarre Hospitality Group, which has been in business for 30 years, also provides service to the Crystal Ballroom at the Lerner Theatre and the Matterhorn Conference Center, both in Elkhart.