By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–Just in time for SummerFest 2022, chef Giuseppe Ciuffa of GRNFC Hospitality has signed an exclusive five-year contract with La Jolla Music Society to provide onsite food and beverage and catering services at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla.
The Conrad comprises The Baker-Baum Concert Hall and The JAI cabaret space, which offers table service from a full bar and catering kitchen. Carolyn’s concession stand serves the outdoor Wu Tsai QRT.yrd and upstairs Belanich Terrace, between the two theaters. Under the terms of the new contract, GRNFC Hospitality will be La Jolla Music Society’s exclusive onsite provider of food and beverage services for the entire venue.
“Our goal at The Conrad is to provide quality programming every time we open our doors— with a strong emphasis on ‘quality’—bringing in the most talented and internationally renowned artists to perform here in La Jolla Village,” says President and CEO Todd Schultz. “It is our goal to match the quality on our stage with a patron experience that includes quality food options, wines, and beverages, and we know that Giuseppe and his team are the perfect match. Not only is Giuseppe’s culinary work proven in the region, but he’s also a member of the community with his flagship restaurant, Candor, just two blocks away.”
Founded by Chef Giuseppe Ciuffa more than 20 years ago, GRNFC Hospitality began as a passion for bold flavors that combine Ciuffa’s authentic Italian roots and California sensibilities. It has grown into a culinary group with six operating entities. The best known of these is Candor, Ciuffa’s restaurant located at 1030 Torrey Pines Road.
Having grown up cooking with his mother on the family’s farm outside of Rome, Ciuffa says, his palate was primed at a young age, shaped by a wealth of culinary opportunities from farms and vineyards, to local cheese and fish from coastal villages. At Candor, Ciuffa makes everything in-house and sources from San Diego’s local farmers and fishermen. Candor’s extensive wine menu leans toward producers from France, Spain, and Italy as well as West Coast winemakers throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.
“We believe that food is something meant to be shared,” says Ciuffa. “It is our mission to bring fresh, local ingredients to our kitchens in order to help create wondrous memories around food. We are incredibly excited at the opportunity to enhance the audience experience at The Conrad with top quality, delicious concessions, as well as providing the best possible catering and service for those choosing to hold their special events and celebrations at the venue.”
The Conrad is the home of La Jolla Music Society, which presents more than 80 concerts and events each year as well as its annual month-long SummerFest at the venue. In addition, renters choose The Conrad for dozens of performances, lectures, weddings, receptions, and other events year-round.
The Conrad is La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest 2022 (July 29 to August 26). Single tickets and subscriptions are now on sale. Details, subscription packages, and single tickets are available at the La Jolla Music Society box office, by phone at (858) 459-3728, and online at www.LJMS.org.
