Museum names new on-site food service vendor

SARASOTA — The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has named Metz Culinary Management its new on-site food service vendor.

The previous vendor, Tableseide Restaurant Group, announced its departure in May. Tableseide entered into a five-year contract in July 2015 as operator of food service venues on the grounds of The Ringling. In a statement, Tableseide said it decided to focus on its core brands (Libby’s, Lemon Tree, Circo and Tableseide Catering) and not rebid its contract.

With Metz Culinary Management now onboard, The Ringling’s restaurant will undergo a major facelift and revamping of the menu, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, according to a press release. 

Metz will also convert the existing coffee shop to a Starbucks that will serve coffee drinks, snacks and grab-and-go specials. The Banyan Cafe will reopen as a deli-style, casual eating area with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses.

An opening is planned for later in 2020.

“We are looking forward to the great energy and creativity that Metz will bring to The Ringling," says The Ringling Executive Director Steven High in a press release. "Their reputation as a top-notch professional company will be a great asset and we know that our visitors will be pleased with the high quality of both the food and service that Metz will provide.”

Metz Culinary Management was established in 1994 by entrepreneur John Metz as a custom dining management service company. The firm has a strong presence in Florida and locally, including with New College of Florida, Feld Entertainment and Feeding Tampa Bay.

Metz has a culinary center on Northgate Boulevard in Sarasota. 

"We will take the time to learn the needs of The Ringling and their visitors, and provide unsurpassed service that we believe exceeds the needs — and expectations — of everyone who visits," says Metz Culinary Management CEO Jeff Metz in a statement. 

The Ringling’s campus in Sarasota includes the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, historic mansion, 18th-century theater and bayfront gardens. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Ringling is the State Art Museum of Florida and is part of Florida State University.