New twist on footy fare

Footy fans are being promised better than a soggy chicken roll and lukewarm chips when they attend Patersons Stadium next season, with the WA Football Commission signing a new catering contract with one of the world's biggest and most experienced stadium food operators.

Delaware North, which has contracts for the WACA Ground, Etihad Stadium, the SCG and Melbourne Park in Australia and New York's Metlife Stadium, is promising an improved in-game dining experience for Patersons Stadium's final three seasons.

Though details of the new menu are yet to be finalised, this could include team-themed menu items available only at West Coast or Fremantle games.

Delaware North and the WAFC have started discussions with local food suppliers from Margaret River and the Swan Valley in a bid to improve the quality of dining options.

"While food quality and service will improve, prices will be kept competitive by ensuring there is a wider range of options to suit different individual and family budgets," the WAFC said.

While food prices are a bugbear for many fans, the industry trend is that some fans are prepared to pay higher prices for food they perceive is of a higher quality than traditional pies, burgers and hot dogs, driving revenue for stadium caterers and owners.

WAFC chief executive Gary Walton insisted fans would appreciate the difference from next season.

Delaware North, the Buffalo, New York-based family company that also owns the Boston Bruins National Hockey League franchise, is understood to be making a significant investment in the catering infrastructure at Patersons despite the fact the stadium will host just three more seasons of football. It is believed to be positioning itself for some role in the new stadium at Burswood, which will open in time for the 2018 AFL season.

Delaware North takes over from Mustard Catering, a division of Australian publicly listed company Spotless Group.