Walgreens Gridiron Grill-Off firing up for culinary glory
John Offerdahl describes his tenth annual Walgreens Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine and Music Festival as football and food colliding for a cause.
Offerdahl, a former Miami Dolphins player who owns the Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill chain, founded the festival with his wife, Lynn.
“Ten years ago, we started this in a parking lot in Weston. Now it’s gotten to the point of 3,000 people, and it’s been in Pompano the past nine years,” he says. “It’s beyond our wildest imagination. We have over 300 volunteers giving back to South Florida.”
The main feature of the Nov. 9 event will pair chefs with former Miami Dolphins players in 22 teams for a grilling competition.
“When we started, we only wanted high-end, fine-dining restaurants to compete. We have top chefs from the tri-county area,” he says. “Their food always blows away our fans.”
Athlete Jim Jensen and chef Rick Schwager from Beach House Pompano will return to defend their fan favorite title from last year, and so will athlete Channing Crowder and Jorlian Rivera from S3 Restaurant, who won the judges’ award last year.
Other former Dolphins will include O.J. McDuffie, Zach Thomas, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick. Restaurants new to the event include AND Fish Kitchen and Bar, which will grill kurobuta pork belly with crispy fried oyster, grits and peppadew gastrique; and Even Keel Fish and Oyster, which will grill octopus with sofrito, chorizo, crispy potato, almonds and chorizo aioli.
“Most people are blown away by the abundance and quality of the food. It’s hard to beat the entertainment value,” Offerdahl says. “Fans have the opportunity to chat with the athletes and get autographs. The athletes are relaxed and enjoy the camaraderie. The celebrity engagement is an unusual component for a food and wine festival.”
In addition, a barbecue pit masters competition will showcase 30-40 professional teams, and entertainment will feature a cornhole competition, a DJ and guitarist. Fans can buy a separate $49.50 concert ticket to see award-winning singer Brett Young perform country music at 7 p.m.
“Right now we only have a concert after the festival. A lot of people buy a dual ticket,” Offerdahl says. “We’re trying to broaden it as a music festival to offer top-notch entertainment throughout the day.”
General admission tickets to the grill-off from noon to 4 p.m. are $85 and $125 for VIP, which will include private bars and a tent with food from restaurants at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort.
Tickets combined with the concert are $99.50 for general admission and $134.50 for VIP.
All net proceeds benefit the Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation.
“Our focus last year was providing scholarships for Broward College,” he says. “This year, along with those, we’re partnering with Taste of the NFL’s Kick Hunger Challenge, which will match the money we raise for food banks.”
Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery will compete in the Walgreens Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Music Festival for the first time with its crusted grilled sliced steak with whiskey barbeque sauce and fingerling potatoes.
Offerdahl’s festival has raised more than $500,000 the past decade for his foundation, including more than $60,000 last year.
“I feel called to do this, and I see the results,” he says. “It’s the hardest thing to do but also the most gratifying.”
Visit GridironGrillOff.com for details and tickets for the event, which will be at Pompano Beach Amphitheater, 1806 NE Sixth St.
“We’re focusing on our veterans because it’s over Veterans Day weekend,” Offerdahl says. “Anyone with a military ID will get 50 percent off the grill-off ticket, and we’re adding a judge who’s a general in the Army reserve.”