A peek behind the scenes.

Friends Arena start up events

The following events & details are from Friends Arenas upstart through the pre opening period during autumn 2012

A little you tube clip, behind the scenes at Friends arena before the opening and a few comments about the ill fated super hotdog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgw97QwSIzE&feature=player_embedded

Orriflame

Orriflame hosted the first event at Stockholm's new National Arena, Friends Arena- 4500 sitting 3 course meal.

The event was a sales congress and incentive dinner for Orriflame salespersons from all corners of the world.

A fantastic light show and entertainment kept everybody going all night.
At the time of the Orriflame dinner we were only 3 or 4 employed in the Friends arena opening team, I think I was the only one to get my hands dirty on the night.

The event was catered for by an external catering company, as the main kitchen wasn't completed we were working from the crew catering kitchen, with the plate up in the arena entrance gates. An omen of things to come

Orriflame dinner 25th August 2012

The first Concert

Takläggningsfest

Our first concert, a thank your party for the Arena builders and their families.

A selection of Swedish artists performed for the 15000 invited guests, it was also a trial run and initiation of eight of our forty food and drink concessions.

What a great start. the first concert was also the launch of our special Friends Hot Dogs, they were really good tasting, good quality and a little larger than the normal Swedish Hot dogs, they were short lived as they were a little more expensive than the norm and the punters didn't want to pay for them. Cheapskates.

2nd september 2012

Friends

Name change

18 10 2012 the Hotel and Arena changed their names,

from Quality Hotel Arena to Quality Hotel Friends:

and likewise the Arena was christened to Friends Arena.

We'll also be working together with "Friends" Friends is a Swedish anti mobbing lobby group, now its mega size with their name embellished both on the national arena and quality hotels.

Big time in Sweden

Melody Festival 2013

We've some big events coming up over the next month first out is the

Swedish Euro-vision final week at Friends Arena, the crew are setting the back drops and lighting into place, the final, three sold out shows in two days, about 100000 punters through the turnstiles.It will be a fantastic show, all of Sweden stops for this event.

We're busy in the kitchen planning and organising the logistical challenges in front us.

Three sold out shows over 100000 spectators and guests in two days, is it really happening how can so many people be interested, the Swedes are crazy about euro-vision!

35000 on Friday night followed by another 35000 Saturday matinee, then a couple of hours later another 35000 for the live final.

The final is live on Swedish TV if you can watch it, have a look at our arena. watch and enjoy I'll be busy in the kitchen.

New season strawberries they look fantastic, but a bit early to be sun ripened even if they come from Spain.

This will be followed by the Swedish Bandy final "land hockey played on ice" it should be a big day out with about 40000 spectators, it will be a new one for me.

Sweden-Ireland towards the end of march a world cup qualifying, it should be sold out. We'll be featuring Irish produce on the menu's, beef, lamb, oysters, crab, salmon, cheese, sounds like any other country but the Irish will be geared up for it, all washed down with Guinness and finished off with an Irish coffee.

The day after Mello "the Swedish Euro Vision final"

We can reflect on a busy day

What a kitchen team we have

Saturday evenings service

2 times 1200 banquette

700 buffet

1500 staff meals

dinner for 80

200 mingle plates

50 lodges with food for approx. 500 guests

a la carte 8 hours continuous service 800 guests

6000 hamburger

What a team, Thanks guys

The day before we had a full dress rehearsal and a matinee before the final, but who remembers how many guests we had for those two shows, a well earned day off today then straight back into it, 55000 in the arena next Saturday for the Swedish Bandy final. 1,6 ton "Swedish Hash" pytt i panna on the menu.

We visited Sorunda Grönsakshallens new premises today what a lift for them, it feels great that our suppliers are behind us and we can turn to them for help and advice.

A big visit

Iron Maiden

setting up their stage at Friends Arena
for their concert tomorrow night. 56000 people:
We're trying out some new fast food and bar areas that should keep the punters happy.
We,re in for a hot summers night, I hope they keep the roof open.

Building the stage

Speedway at Friends

Saturday 21 sept. were hosting a round of the speedway world championship, they're busy building the track with tons of English sand, hopefully there should be a few Australians riding so I'll have to find somewhere to hang out the flag.
Our hotel has been open now for a couple of weeks, we're as busy as hell, good occupancy in the hotel, good breakfast business with lots of large and small conferences. A normal big hotel operation topped of with the end of the local football season and the world championships qualification rounds. all fun and games

The purposely built track.