The official seal of The Bronx.

Great Performances Will Create 181 New Jobs and Retain 451 Jobs While Investing $4.4 Million in an Over 40,000 Sq. Ft. Space

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Great Performances – the largest woman-owned catering and food service company in New York City – will relocate from Manhattan to the South Bronx. As part of the relocation, Great Performances will create 181 new jobs and retain 451 jobs. The company will also invest $4.4 million in outfitting an over 40,000 square foot space to accommodate new kitchens, warehouse space, purchasing department, design studio, training space, support offices and The Sylvia Center, a non-profit dedicated to teaching nutrition and cooking to children and their families in high potential neighborhoods.

“New York couldn’t be prouder of our efforts to ensure women-owned businesses – especially creative, sustainable and forward-thinking ones like Great Performances – have the opportunity to grow and thrive in this state,” Governor Cuomo said. “With its new headquarters, Great Performances will be able to expand operations, hire more staff and share its success with new neighbors in the South Bronx and beyond. That’s a recipe for success.”

“In New York, we are committed to ensuring the growth of successful woman-owned businesses like Great Performances,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The catering company’s relocation will create more than 180 new jobs and retain hundreds more in their new location in the South Bronx. This investment continues to strengthen the economy, attracting more businesses and creating new opportunities in the area.”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr said, “I want to thank Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the Empire State Development Corporation for facilitating this move as well as welcome Great Performances – the largest women-owned catering and food service company in New York City – to our wonderful borough. Companies such as Great Performances not only help produce jobs and stimulate economic development throughout The Bronx, but also prove that this is a prime location for entrepreneurs of every background to grow their business along with us, becoming a part of the transformative changes that our borough has seen over the past decade. We welcome Great Performances with open arms and look forward to them becoming a fabric of our community.”

Originally founded in 1980 as a waitress service for women in the arts who wanted a flexible way to supplement their income, Great Performances has grown into a leading catering and events company in New York. In addition to working with partners like the Plaza Hotel, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Museum, the Apollo Theater, and Wave Hill, Great Performances promotes sustainable food practices through its organic farm in Upstate New York, educates children about healthy eating, and offers an emerging artist scholarship to service staff.

“The Bronx is a promising new home for us.  We are thrilled about the talent and creativity in Mott Haven and beyond,” Liz Neumark, Founder and CEO of Great Performances, said. “We look forward to being active community members and growing together with our new neighbors.”

To support Great Performances’ relocation to the South Bronx and their hiring 181 new positions, ESD will provide an $880,000 grant, awarded by the New York City Regional Economic Development Council. The grant is contingent on Great Performances investing in machinery and other equipment for their new location and creating new jobs in the South Bronx.

Empire State Development President, CEO, & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “New York City’s economy is booming – and homegrown businesses like Great Performances are leading the way. Supporting successful, sustainable, and creative companies like Great Performances will be critical to our success building a true five-borough economy.”

Winston Fisher, Partner at Fisher Brothers and NYC REDC Co-Chair, said, “The New York City REDC’s goal is to create inclusive economic growth – and this project is a perfect example of that work. Supporting businesses like Great Performances as they expand will help ensure that New Yorkers in every neighborhood are able to share our growing economy.”

Cheryl A. Moore, President and Chief Operating Officer of the New York Genome Center and NYC REDC Co-Chair, said, “True economic success cannot be focused on just one neighborhood or borough – and investing in companies like Great Performances helps us build citywide economic success. I look forward to seeing all that this company will be able to accomplish in their new home.” 

Senator José M. Serrano said, “The relocation of Great Performances will help create new job opportunities for local residents while strengthening our citywide economy. It’s exciting to welcome a successful woman-owned business to the dynamic Mott Haven neighborhood. I commend Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for their commitment to the future of the Bronx.”

Assemblymember Carmen Arroyo said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Great Performances – the largest women owned catering/food service company in NYC – to our district. They are relocating to a district that is on the rebound and has all of the resources to help Great Performance reach their business goals.

About Great Performances

As New York’s leading catering and special events company, Great Performances (GP) is known for contemporary American cuisine, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, artful presentation and gracious service. GP offers a wide variety of hospitality services to non-profits, corporations and private clients. The company is the exclusive caterer to many of New York’s most prestigious institutions, including Brooklyn Museum, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music and The Plaza, and operate more than a dozen restaurants, cafés and concessions, including Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Norm at Brooklyn Museum and GP’s own Mae Mae Café.

Great Performances promotes sustainable food practices through its organic Katchkie Farm in upstate New York, educates children about healthy eating through support of The Sylvia Center and offers an emerging artist scholarship program to eligible service staff.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.