“Party with a purpose” showcases big-name chefs.
Event showcases big-name chefs from 32 cities, helps food banks
What’s a Super Bowl without a super meal?
Held Saturday night at the University of Houston, the sold-out 26th annual Taste of the NFL’s “party with a purpose” combined two of America’s greatest passions: food and football.
An estimated 3,000 people attended the event that paired NFL stars and chefs from all 32 NFL cities. The single most successful league-sanctioned charitable event at the Super Bowl, Taste of the NFL has raised more than $25 million to support food banks and food pantries throughout the U.S.
For former Texans star Chester Pitts, who was paired for the party with chef Robert Del Grande of Café Annie, being involved in the charity event was a no brainer. Every $100 raised translates into 800 meals for the food insecure, he said.
“I know people who can’t do one meal for $100,” Pitts said. “That’s why it’s so easy for me to be a part of this and the work they do.” Digging deep
Pitts said he’s attended about seven events a day during Super Bowl week: “I’m going on three to four hours a sleep a day. But this is the Super Bowl in Houston — you have to dig down deep.”
The Taste of the NFL was co-hosted by three food television stars: Alex Guarnaschelli of Food Network; Richard Blais, cookbook author and restaurateur who won Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars”; and Andrew Zimmern, host of the popular Travel Channel show “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.”
Zimmern is no stranger to Houston, having filmed his show here several times. During the five days he spent in Houston, he dined twice at Crawfish & Noodles in Chinatown and also took in a meal of fried shrimp, snapper and oysters at Christie’s Seafood & Steaks on Westheimer. “The hospitality there is amazing. They want to take care of you like nobody’s business,” he said.
He also plans to hit Riel and One Fifth before leaving town after the game. “Some of the best food in the country is being cooked right here in Houston,” he said. “I’m impressed by how fabulous the food scene is here. It’s just a very cool city.” ‘Amazing food here’
Blais was not as fortunate in his dining adventures in Houston, he said, because of time constraints. He had Chick-filA on Saturday morning. “I have to return to Houston because I know you have amazing food here.”
Guests dined at food stations spread throughout the tented complex. The San Diego Chargers served churros with foie gras ice cream, while the Jacksonville Jaguars offered roasted lamb belly with celery root puree. From the New Orleans Saints came smoked drum with pickle aioli and popcorn rice; the Minnesota Vikings dished up fried chicken livers on purple grits with tomato gravy. Buttermilk fried chicken with cornmeal waffles could be found at the Oakland Raiders’ booth, while the New England Patriots went big with cavatelli pasta topped with sausage, butternut squash and shaved black truffles.
“Houston has been a great host and shown the international power of the city as well as the local flavor,” Del Grande said. “But I’m having visions of Monday morning when I get to do nothing. Nothing.”