Fostering Opportunity through Food at Little Caesars Arena

Aiming to be a space that captures the community and culture of Detroit, Little Caesars Arena food service partner, Delaware North, and its passionate chefs work to ensure the food and beverage selections at the venue reflect the city’s flavor.

Troy Michalkiewicz, the Executive Chef of Little Caesars Arena and a native of Metro Detroit, is committed to making sure that both Detroit’s distinctive flavors and its people are well represented. To him, food service is a means to opportunity—for students, for adults with disabilities and for independent businesses.

Internship Opportunities

Michalkiewicz helped launch a successful internship program for Detroit Public Schools Community District high school students enrolled in the district’s culinary arts program. Fourteen high schoolers have had the opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals at Little Caesars Arena, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

“Internships are incredibly important to me as a chef,” Michalkiewicz explained. “I’m passionate about continued learning. As a mentor, sharing my knowledge and experience gives me the opportunity to help guide and inspire the next generation of culinarians.”

The internship program offers students valuable experience in the hospitality industry, even if they ultimately decide on a different career path. Working with the Delaware North team equips them with confidence in multiple areas as they interact with hundreds of guests at each event, talk about the food they’re serving and hone their customer service and public speaking skills.

The partnership has been as rewarding for the students as it has for the culinary team. Troy was so impressed by one of those interns, Alexa Torres, that she has since been hired. Guests can now enjoy several of Alexa’s menu items, including a family recipe for tres leches cake, at the arena.

Meaningful Skills

Michalkiewicz, alongside Christian Borden, Chef of Restaurants, has also been an integral part of an impactful partnership between Little Caesars Arena and Rising Stars Academy, a post-secondary public academy that empowers adults with disabilities. With a six-acre urban farm, an aquaponics system and a bakery, Rising Stars is an arena vendor with purpose. Micro-greens grown in their aquaponics farm are used at Little Caesars Arena, along with pie crusts and focaccia made at the academy.

Additionally, these adult students have an opportunity to gain critical career skills by training under Delaware North chefs at the arena. By learning the ins and outs of fast-paced, fresh food production, they can acquire skills that help them reach their full potential within the community, which sometimes translates to full-time employment with Delaware North.

“Little Caesars Arena, Chef Troy and Chef Christian have been so important in the success of this partnership,” said Mark Prentiss, co-founder of and chef/educator at Rising Stars Academy. “The amount of time they spend making sure students learn the necessary skills is nothing short of amazing. The entire organization has taken the students under their wing, not only to learn these tasks, but also the importance of family.”

A Platform for Small Businesses

For the individuals already excelling in their craft, Delaware North and Little Caesars Arena have created an opportunity to help them reach a wider audience. Since 2022, the arena has hosted Detroit-based small businesses as pop-up food vendors, enabling guests to enjoy local flavors while providing local businesses with more exposure.

“These pop-up vendors have poured their blood, sweat and tears into building their businesses, and our partnership gives them the chance to showcase what Detroit is all about to guests from across Michigan,” Michalkiewicz said. “You can see the excitement on their faces when they arrive—they know they’re part of something special.”

Nine local businesses have participated in the program to date, with potentially more to come in the future.

Through the small business program, as well as the internships and partnerships, Michalkiewicz, Borden and the Delaware North team have redefined expectations for the arena. Using the power of food, they have elevated a hub for sports and entertainment into a destination that captures the best of the city while also giving back to it.