One of the many upgrades awaiting Evertonsupporters at their new Bramley-Moore Dock home is the array of food options, which were debuted during Monday’s test event.
The Toffees will wave goodbye to Goodison Park at the end of this season as they swap homes for the ‘Everton Stadium’, a £800million ground that will hold 52,888 fans for what will almost certainly be, once again, Premier League football next season.
Everton will put on several matches and events at the Bramley-Moore Dock site early this year and that began this week with the Everton Under 18 side taking part in a friendly against Wigan’s youth team.
One of the most notable takeaways from the occasion was the food on offer, which appears to rival the best at any Premier League ground.
As reported by Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele, culinary director Adam Bateman, who has worked at Michelin star restaurants across the world, wants the food to be ‘Instagrammable’.
Pictures of the options at the event even attracted the attention of the popular social media account ‘Footy Scran’, which helpfully provided a comparison to the current menu at Goodison.
Everton supporters were treated to an array of stellar food options at the Bramley-Moore Dock test event on Monday
Several options on the menu proved to be a hit with fans including the loaded sausage roll
Tickets for the unofficial grand opening were priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions
On Monday night, fans could help themselves to meals that included salt and pepper chicken tenders, Korean sticky chicken and plant based Korean sticky bowl.
These finer options do, however, come at a heftier cost with the tenders setting fans back £9.50 and the two mains costing £10.50. Desert for the occasion was the decadent ‘The Toffee’ doughnut, which came in at £3.50.
One fan at the event wrote on X: ‘Was tasty that.’ In reference to the poultry dish, before adding: ‘Also the toffee doughnut, £3.50 and what a view.’
Another popular option from the event was calorific loaded sausage roll, a devastating combination sure to fuel even the coldest of Merseyside nights.
Commenters on social media have been quick to point out the major upgrade on food currently on offer at Goddison Park.
One post from ‘Footy Scran’ in 2023 showed a rather unappetising single-patty cheese burger on sale for £4.50.
Tickets for the unofficial grand opening were priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions. The second test event will see 25,000 be allowed in for an Under 21s friendly in just over a month’s time.
Everton are not permitted to play competitive fixtures at the stadium yet. The test events – a third one will likely take place at near-full capacity later in the season – will allow the club to get the required licence and safety certificates.
Everton’s Under 18s were the first side the play at the stadium, taking on Wigan’s U18 side
The quality of food on offer appeared to be a major upgrade on the choices currently available at Goodison Park
The Toffees’ U18 side were hoping to kick things off with a win but got off to the worst possible start – when Wigan’s Harrison Rimmer – a Liverpool fan – scored the first goal and celebrated by taunting the home faithful.
It was a neat finish from Rimmer, who received the ball on the edge of the box before turning and letting fly.
His effort beat Toffees goalkeeper Seve Patrick at his near post, triggering wild celebrations from the visiting players.
Perhaps none more so, though, than from Rimmer himself, who grew up a Liverpool fan and wasn’t about to waste his opportunity.
As he celebrated, cameras showed the teenager holding up six fingers to the crowd, in reference to the six European championships rivals Liverpool have won.
‘That young man there, Harrison Rimmer, has just had a moment he will remember for the rest of his life,’ the commentator said on Everton’s YouTube channel, which was live streaming the game to around 200,000 viewers live.
On Wigan’s official website, Rimmer is described as ‘a tough-tackling midfielder who can also operate at right back,’ having been with the club since the age of 11.
‘He has a real appetite to compete in both training and matches and is good both technically and physically,’ the description continued.
On Monday night, fans could help themselves to meals that included salt and pepper chicken tenders, Korean sticky chicken and plant based Korean sticky bowl.
Culinary director Adam Bateman said he wants to make the stadium food ‘Instagrammable’
Construction began in July 2021, and the ground was declared structurally complete after the final concrete terracing panel was put in last February
The mocking came just days after Everton had secured a dramatic draw in the final-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Though, those in attendance are unlikely to be too upset after the result.
Despite their excitement over their new home, there will no doubt be an outpouring of emotion when their 134-year stay at Goodison Park ends at the end of the term.
Everton began construction on Bramley-Moor Dock in July 2021, and the ground was declared structurally complete after the final concrete terracing panel was put in in February last year.
The contractor handed over the stadium in December, and Everton will now begin playing games in order to obtain the relevant licensing. By kick off against Wigan, the ground was not even one fifth full, but fans sat in the South Stand to watch the friendly game.