LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Knives are chopping, bowls are mixing and volunteers are working hard, all as some of the world's best golfers make their way to Louisville for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hospitality workers are preparing to serve thousands of fans at the 2024 PGA Championship over the next week

  • Hundreds of volunteers are also on-site daily 

  • The temporary hospitality operation includes seven on-course concessions markets and nine bar outlets 

  • The 2024 PGA Championship will take place May 13-19 at Valhalla Golf Club

Cooking is a labor of love for Joseph Stetson. He has been a chef his whole life, he said, and graduated culinary school in 1992. 

“I think in the end, the most wonderful thing about it is the customer in the end ... the pleasure they get from the work that we do," said Stetson, 2024 PGA Championship coldside chef. 

Stetson said this year, the coldside will make thousands of different sandwiches and salads.

The massive space is one of the main production kitchens. Stetson said people in those kitchens do “the backbone work” for what goes on out on the course.

Every night, he said it gets distributed to all the kitchens around the course, which then handle final preparation. 

“There’s everything from beef, chicken, shrimp, sandwiches, salads, all different types of snacks," Stetson said. "It’s a huge variety going on this week.”

The temporary operation is in full swing right now as officials continue final preparation. It’s designed to feed 200,000 fans over seven days, and 900 volunteers are on-site daily. The menu changes every day for every meal period.

Something also unique to the PGA is the Market, where fans can grab drinks such as Aquafina or Gatorade or food items such as grilled chicken sandwiches, burgers, salads, bratwursts and hot dogs.

“We take a lot of time, energy and effort to make sure that each guest has the most tremendous experience they can on the course," said Eric Babcook, general manager of the Patina Restaurant Group at PGA of America events. 

According to a press release from officials, here's the hospitality operation for the event:

  • Seven on-course concessions markets
  • Nine bar outlets
  • Chalets
  • Suites
  • Club PGA
  • Champions Club
  • Valhalla Member Club
  • PGA Member Club
  • Chase Sapphire Lounge
  • Media dining
  • Player and caddie dining
  • The clubhouse at Valhalla Golf Club

Stetson said he loves it all.

“It’s amazing how appreciative the people are for the work that we’re doing," he said. 

He added those at the club will work around the clock for the next week as they aim to bring spectators the best experience possible. 

The Patina Restaurant Group, a division of Buffalo, New York-based Delaware North, is the "official catering partner" of the PGA Championship. 

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