The excitement is building among the five local businesses named as the primary food and drinks vendors for the America’s Cup Village during the 35th America’s Cup next month.

Rosa’s Cantina, the Docksider Pub and Restaurant, the Bermuda Pie Company, J&B’s Woodfired Pizza, and Smokin Barrel were all successful in their bids to provide for the thousands of spectators expected to pass through the gates of the AC Village during the month-long event, which runs from May 26 to June 27.

For Tim Jackson, the owner of J&B’s Woodfired Pizza, the moment is especially poignant as his business will make its island debut on the biggest stage of all.

“The adrenalin is going a hundred miles a minute, I’m really, really excited,” Mr Jackson said.

A former principal at Sandys Middle School, Mr Jackson had been looking for a change of direction and the America’s Cup came along at just the right moment for the couple, who were in the process of starting their pizza business.

“My wife and I talked about it [the America’s Cup] and thought that this would be a wonderful opportunity to introduce our brand to Bermuda,” Mr Jackson said. “We went through the process, thankfully we were one of the ones selected to serve as a vendor.”

The pair originally learnt about the opportunities available to local businesses for the 35th America’s Cup through the website www.americascup.com. Once they discovered they had been successful, preparations for the event went in to full swing.

“I got the information, and went through the vetting process, submitted a business plan, and we just waited for the decision,” Mr Jackson said. “The people we have been working with [at America’s Cup Bermuda] have been very accommodating and very professional.”

It is a similar story for Keymar Maybury, the owner of Smokin Barrel, who will be bringing his own fusion of Bermuda favourites and barbecue to the event. A staple on the island’s food scene, Mr Maybury believes the impact of the 35th America’s Cup on the island will be felt both short and long term. It was why he applied to be one of the primary food vendors in the America’s Cup Village.

“I think the opportunity will give my business an international exposure second to none and will hopefully increase our capital to build and expand the business,” he said.

America’s Cup officials are confident that the five business selected will “do Bermuda proud” on the world stage.

“These businesses bid on a tender for this opportunity and were chosen on their business strength and their ability to provide continuous quality service to a high volume of people daily, for a five-week period,” said Chris Garland, America’s Cup public food and beverage concessions manager, “This will be a demanding time on their business and their staff and they have demonstrated that they are up for the task.

“It was important for us to also provide a wide selection of food choices for fans attending the America’s Cup Village, and even more variety will be available, with the snack and festival food vendors to be announced soon.

“These vendors will do us proud, rising to the challenge and ramping up from Bermuda’s local daily demand to an international standard, serving thousands of ticket holders on any given day at peak times.”

America’s Cup Village ticket holders will enjoy a range of varied activities and interesting interactive things to do, before and after racing. To book your tickets online, go to www.americascup.com/tickets.

*This article has been updated to reflect that it is the Bermuda Pie Company, and not Bermuda Pie Factory, who will be operating in the America’s Cup Village as official vendors.