New Britain, Conn., February 3, 2010 - Jordan Caterers Design Event Planners and the New Haven Country Club have formed a partnership that gives the Cheshire hospitality firm an upscale venue to market to clients and increases the usage of the private club, which is in Hamden.

Under the terms of the partnership, beginning March 1, Jordan will operate the country club’s private kitchen, which serves members daily lunches and dinners, said Kevin O’Brien, the club’s president.

It will also be able to offer the country club’s clubhouse, which can accommodate up to 300 people, as a venue for nonmembers to hold business meetings, weddings and other private parties.

“We wanted to continue to offer a high-quality experience for our members without creating an excessive cost increase for members,” O’Brien said. “We also felt that an underutilized facility benefits no one. So we felt the best way to achieve both those goals was to seek a partner.”

Revenues from nonmember events will go fully to Jordan. In return, Jordan will pay an unspecified amount each month to the country club for maintenance and upkeep of the club, which is on the Hartford Turnpike near the New Haven line.

“We didn’t have a venue in New Haven to market to clients,” said Jeff Rapoport, who along with his wife, Debra, founded Jordan 32 years ago.

Jeff Rapoport said the 112-year-old club is in “pristine” condition, which O’Brien said is the result of an 18-month, $2.5 million upgrade that was done about two years ago.

Debra Rapoport said the couple’s company had lost business as a result of not having a venue near New Haven to use. She called the partnership with New Haven Country Club “just a good arrangement for both of us.”

“It was a place we felt we could feel good about bringing our clients,” she said. “And we feel some of our clients may be interested in joining the club.”

From the perspective of the club and its members, O’Brien said Jordan’s reputation was a selling point.

“We needed someone who understood the private club culture, the high-quality, highly personalized service,” O’Brien said. “Debbie and Jeff and their people get that.”

The Rapoports hope to retain as many of the country club’s event staff members as possible when they take over operations of the clubhouse next month.

“We felt the continuity was important.” Debra Rapoport said, adding that Jordan Caterers Design Event Planners is already accepting bookings for the facility.

Contact Luther Turmelle at 203-789-5706 or lturmelle@newhavenregister.com.

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