The catering zone for EYOF participants is one of the largest projects of its kind in Slovakia and in Europe in general

The organisers of the European Youth Olympic Festival will distribute approximately 120.000 meals during the event

Organisers of the European Youth Olympic Festival EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022 had to deal with various challenges during the preparation and provision of the largest multi-sport event ever held in Slovakia. One of them was the creation of an overall catering concept for 6.000 accredited persons. In the last week of July, they plan to distribute approximately 120.000 portions of food, which represents more than 8 tons of raw materials per day for their preparation. The well-thoughtout operating mode and staffing means that it is one of the largest projects of its kind in Europe, and in Slovakia it is by far the most extensive project of this type.  

Catering zone, construction of which took two weeks, is located in the front part of beach swimming pool of Banská Bystrica on an area of approximately 12.000 m². The fully air-conditioned tent is approx. 4.000 m² large and consists of a kitchen (1.200 m²), a catering area for athletes and sports teams, as well as an area for the organising committee. 

„Unlike regular sports events, at EYOF, the catering zone will operate non-stop for nine days. Also for this reason, we had to rethink overall staffing, shift work, substitutability of people, etc. A team of 140 people will take care of food preparation, service and attendance. At the same time, the entire operation meets the strictest hygiene and safety standards,” explains Pavol Bankovich, director of SHARKAM B&B CATERING, which deals with the provision of catering services and has certification focused on food safety management and production sustainability. 

Part of the extensive catering area are cold storage boxes, supply and dry storage, from where food will be brought directly to the kitchen. Electric distribution lines with a total length of 12 kilometers are installed in the area. 

„The kitchen will be open 24 hours a day, as we provide EYOF participants with a complete catering in form of buffet from breakfast to dinner. At the same time, they will be provided with refreshments in the form of one ton of fruit every day. Another interesting fact is that during the event we will use up to 75.000 pieces of inventory per day. The entire zone has access to the Internet and security cameras. As well as the laser system will help us count occupancy so that we do not exceed the permitted capacity of 1.000 people in the tent at one time,” explains Ján Brejka, catering director from the EYOF organising committee.

In addition to operating the main tent, organisers provide basic refreshments for VIP guests at all locations of the event. Participants who cannot come to the main catering tent due to sports competitions or other obligations will be provided with food at the individual sports grounds. Refreshment packages will also be prepared in the kitchen for all volunteers.