Photo by Mike Lamb Schwan’s CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios is interviewed during the company’s 65th anniversary celebration Thursday at US Bank Stadium.

MINNEAPOLIS — While Schwan’s celebrated its 65th anniversary at US Bank Stadium Thursday night, the birthplace of this company was very much on the minds of those who attended the exotic food extravaganza event inside US Bank Stadium.

“A young man said to his mom and dad, ‘look, I’m going to deliver ice cream door to door.’ That very act that (Marvin Schwan) did 65 years ago today formed a $3 billion company across the United States. That’s a lot of respect for that act,” Schwan’s CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios told the more than 300 people who attended the Feast on the Field event.

Schwan’s held the event on the same playing field that the Minnesota Vikings play on. Schwan’s serves on the Minneapolis Super Bowl Committee. In fact several professional sports personalities such as former Vikings running back Chuck Foreman attended the event.

“I tell you that speaking on behalf of every employee of Schwan’s and myself,” Smyrnios said. “We look at that legacy and it motivates us day in and day out to continue that progress of the Schwan’s Food Company.”

Smyrnios spoke as guests were treated to a four-course meal that included tempura squash blossom, venison tartare, Minnesota walleye pike quenelles and pan-seared duck breast. Before dinner, guests also tried out different finger foods created by chefs who are connected with Schwan’s.

Smyrnios stressed the important role that Marshall and other communities play for the company to grow.

“We are very passionate about the communities that we do business in,” he said. “Yes, our food is important, but we know that without the support of our consumers and customers in our communities that we live in and work we wouldn’t have a successful company.”

Before dinner, Smyrnios was standing just yards away from the original Schwan’s food truck on the US Bank football field when he told the Independent that the company is very proud of the role Marshall played in its legacy.

“The future is very bright. And I think our company is doing some things that’s going to ensure that. Thousands of people are working very hard in Marshall and in other locations,” he said.

He stressed Marshall will continue to play a major role.

“It’s the birthplace so it’s always going to be there,” he said. “We are always going to have a big presence in the group not only from employees but also in the community. We are proud that Marvin founded the company in Marshall, Minnesota. It’s been a very long time. And it’s going to continue in the future.”

Smyrnios also told the Independent that the company expects to grow in the 400 current locations and other future sites.

“So we have people everywhere and we are growing everywhere,” he said.

One of those areas of expansion is located in southwest Minnesota with the alliance formed with Ralco’s tru Shrimp. The two companies announced the partnership to farm shrimp last month.

“I’m excited. This is another great example,” he said. “Two Marshall companies in together and we are going to have the opportunity to do something very different in Marshall, Minnesota, in the community and in the food business. Shrimp is a food and we are very excited to join forces and help each other out. And I’m looking forward to the future with tru Shrimp.”

Smyrnios also said he’s confident that Schwan’s will be able to successfully compete against the other retail giants who are jumping into the food delivery business.

“We were the first. We started delivering to people’s homes since 65 years ago. Marvin Schwan did that,” he said. “In business you are going to have competition. We welcome that and we feel comfortable that we can compete. We have been doing it for 65 years. That’s a lot longer than a lot of other companies and we will continue for the next 65 years, so I feel very good about it.”

Marshall Economic Development Director Cal Brink was among the guests from Marshall at the event.

“It’s a great event. A lot of big-time people are here,” he said. “It’s nice when Schwan’s does something like this. This includes a lot of Marshall influence too. So some of the big companies from Marshall, the university in Marshall, Ralco — they are all represented here.

“Marshall will always be the home of Schwan’s. They got close to 1,700 employees in Marshall. It’s obvious a big deal for Marshall. And Dimitrios takes that very seriously. I have had a lot of conversations with him on that end.”