Benaroya Hall is not just getting a facelift, it is getting a new flavor profile. Seattle chef Ethan Stowell has been tapped to consult on the downtown venue's food and beverage program under a new partnership between the Seattle Symphony and venue operator Sodexo Live!. The overhaul is set to debut when the concert hall reopens this September after a $20 million "Amplify" renovation of its public spaces, with an expanded café, refreshed onsite restaurant and upgraded concessions aimed at boosting both pre-show dining and daytime traffic.
What the partnership will do
In a press release via Seattle Symphony, the organization said the collaboration will expand the Boeing Company Gallery café into a full breakfast-and-lunch operation, refresh the Norcliffe Founders Room menu, and elevate concessions and bar programs across the hall. The release notes that new guest-centric features are set to include advanced beverage pre-ordering, curated grab-and-go boxes, premium packages and expanded catering for special events. The Symphony has framed the changes as a core piece of the "Amplify" campaign to reimagine Benaroya's public spaces and draw more people into the building even when there is no concert on the calendar.
Stowell and Sodexo Live! take the wheel
Sodexo Live!, the hospitality operator behind concessions at venues like T-Mobile Park, said Stowell will serve as culinary consultant, collaborating on menus, seasonal programs and specialty activations. The company said the partnership launches in September to line up with the completion of Amplify, and CEO Belinda Oakley called it "an honor to partner with Benaroya Hall" in the announcement. Stowell said he hopes to "create menus that celebrate the region's ingredients" while adding a welcoming and vibrant layer to the guest experience.
Timeline and contract details
Benaroya Hall is scheduled to reopen in September after summer construction, with Opening Night for the 2026–27 season on Sept. 19, according to the Symphony’s season announcement. The hospitality agreement carries a five-year term, as reported by the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Stowell's local footprint
Stowell is already a fixture in Seattle dining. His group operates well-known spots such as Goldfinch Tavern and Tavolàta and has built a reputation for approachable, ingredient-forward cooking, per Seattle Met. He has also teamed up with venue operators on large-scale concessions programs, a model used at T-Mobile Park to broaden ballpark options, as noted in a MLB press release about the Mariners' food lineup.
What patrons can expect
When Benaroya reopens, visitors are expected to find the Boeing Company Gallery café operating daily for breakfast and lunch, a refreshed Norcliffe Founders Room for more refined pre-show dining, and upgraded bar and concessions choices throughout the building, according to the venue and Sodexo Live!. The partnership is also set to bring in tech-friendly conveniences, from advanced beverage pre-ordering to premium packages, intended to smooth out arrivals and those always-too-short intermissions for patrons.
Downtown ripple effects
Venue operators are increasingly leaning on improved hospitality and daytime programming to drive foot traffic, and the Amplify project positions Benaroya as part of that broader push to revitalize downtown public spaces. Architects involved in the renovation have highlighted new entrances, better wayfinding and lounge areas as key elements meant to welcome non-concert visitors as well as ticket-holders, according to coverage by The Architect's Newspaper.
