News

James Beard award winning local star, Chef Tory Miller, to oversee menu at new concept, Mad Town Gastropub

SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, has been awarded a new ten-year lease on its food & beverage contract at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN). The contract will run through to 2026.

SSP America’s plans for the new lease include a complete rebuild of operations, seeing an expansion of popular Madison-based, family-owned Metcalfe’s Local to Go; the introduction of a new Vintage Wine & Tapas bar to local favorite, Ancora Artisan Coffee & Tea, that will include piano performances; and, the debut of SSP concept, Mad Town Gastropub, featuring a menu of fresh, sustainable dishes created by James Beard award-winning local chef, Tory Miller.

“I’m really excited to incorporate local food to the dining scene at the airport. Our airport is growing a lot, and it’ll be great to be able to showcase some of the talented producers Madison has,” says Chef Miller.

“Dane County has a world class airport and this addition will make it a destination,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “Tory Miller is a nationally recognized chef and we are thrilled to have his talents at the Dane County Airport.”

SSP America is the sole food and beverage purveyor at MSN and has been operating at the gateway since 2006. SSP’s extended lease follows its 2013 investment in the airport, which strengthened its commitment to Madison-based businesses by expanding locally owned Ancora Coffee and introducing local favorite Metcalfe’s.

SSP America’s chief executive officer, Michael Svagdis, commented, “SSP America takes great pride in building enduring business partnerships. From our local brand partners to our airport and airport community partners, we believe that good partnerships equal good business. Our goal as we begin our new lease at MSN, is to continue on its path of ever-increasing expansion while keeping jobs and food local.”

Highlighting the importance of local business partnerships, Tom Walzer, owner of Ancora Artisan Coffee & Tea, said, “We are proud to continue to build on our long-term partnership with SSP. Ancora’s artisan coffees and teas are a Madison favorite for the past 23 years and now will be served in a beautiful new artisan destination within our world class airport.”

SSP America’s Mad Town Gastropub and the Metcalfe’s expansion will be completed by September 2016, with the addition of Vintage Wine and Tapas to be completed by the end of the year.