On Eve of Super Bowl XLV, Renowned Chefs and NFL Legends Help Taste of the NFL Celebrate 20th Year

Tomorrow evening, as the Taste of the NFL celebrates 20 years of bringing together the country’s best chefs and NFL greats for hunger relief, several prominent chefs and NFL legends will return as special guests during its annual fundraising event, taking place at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The 20th annual "Party with a Purpose®" -- one of the most coveted tickets of Super Bowl XLV week -- features outstanding chefs and restaurateurs from each NFL city, who serve their signature specialties with help from a current or former NFL player.

Unique to this year’s 20th anniversary celebration, the Taste of the NFL will honor a group of "inaugural" chefs and players who participated in the very first Taste of the NFL event in 1992, in Minneapolis, Minn. -- site of Super Bowl XXVI.

Each of the following chefs and players will be onsite tomorrow night to mingle with guests, take photos, and sign autographs:

Taste of the NFL Inaugural Chefs
* Tom Colicchio
* Robert Del Grande
* Todd English
* Susan Goss
* Jack McDavid*
* Stephan Pyles
* Nancy Silverton
* Susan Spicer
* Allen Susser*

Taste of the NFL Inaugural Players
* Dick Anderson*
* Floyd Little
* Bob Lurtsema
* Bobby Mitchell
* Tommy Nobis
* Jerry Sisemore*
* Jan Stenerud

[* NOTE: Two chefs have participated each year since 1992 along with their original player representatives. Allen Susser, of Chef Allen’s in Miami, is paired with Miami Dolphins Alum Dick Anderson; and Jack McDavid, of Jack’s Firehouse in Philadelphia, is paired with Philadelphia Eagles Alum Jerry Sisemore.]

"We are extremely grateful to this group of inaugural chefs and players who helped to kick off the Taste of the NFL in 1992, and have been instrumental in our mission to raise awareness for hunger relief for the past 20 years," said Wayne Kostroski, founder of Taste of the NFL, and GoodBiz113 profilee ["Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America"]. "Their participation in our 20th annual event gives attendees the exciting opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best-known culinary talent in the world, and some of the greatest NFL legends of all time."

The inaugural chefs and players will appear at the event in addition to 32 chefs -- one from each NFL city with an NFL player representative. In addition, the North Texas Cadillac Dealers will host eight Dallas/Fort Worth chefs and restaurants that will represent "The Flavors of North Texas" and serve up dishes representative of the region. TLC’s "Cake Boss" -- Buddy Valastro -- will also be onsite to showcase an original cake creation to commemorate Taste of the NFL’s 20th anniversary.

The 2011 event is made possible through sponsorships from PepsiCo, E & J Gallo Winery, North Texas Cadillac Dealers, Macy’s, Glazer’s Distributors and Swanson. Media partners include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Indulge Magazine.

About Taste of the NFL
Taste of the NFL exists to raise awareness and dollars for hunger relief organizations involved in kicking hunger in America. Founded in 1992 by Wayne Kostroski [2010 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year], the Minneapolis-based Taste of the NFL has distributed more than $10 million to local and national food banks across the country.

To extend their efforts, Taste of the NFL recently launched their Kick Hunger Challenge, which encourages NFL fans to support their team in fundraising to benefit their local food banks. For more information, visit http://www.TasteOfTheNFL.com/.

SOURCE: Taste of the NFL
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Taste of the NFL XVII to Be Broadcast on Martha Stewart Living Radio; Nick Lachey Emcees

"To address the needs of the hungry and homeless by raising awareness and money through special events and programs." -- Taste of the NFL mission statement

Tonight, on the eve of Super Bowl XLII, thousands of good-hearted and fun- and football-loving folks will gather at the Phoenix Convention Center to nosh on some of the nation's finest food, sip great wines, and rub elbows with NFL players past and present. The charitable event is Taste of the NFL XVII, and could very well raise a half-million dollars to help tackle hunger in Arizona -- where food banks were first conceived some 40-plus years ago -- and in communities throughout the U.S.

Last year at this time, GoodBiz113 introduced its readers to Taste of the NFL [TNFL], a quintessential win-win-win fundraising initiative that kicked off in 1992, when Minnesota's Twin Cities hosted Super Bowl XXVI ["Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America"]. Via its annual Super Bowl Eve event, plus local team-sponsored food- and wine-tasting events featuring top chefs and libations, TNFL has raised a total of $6.8 million for hunger-related charities in NFL cities from coast to coast.

Since publishing our first GoodBiz113 small-biz profile of Cuisine Concepts, TNFL has raised approximately $1.3 million -- including $200,000 for Daily Bread Food Bank of South Florida, where Super Bowl XLI was held. During the year, nearly $1.1 million was raised at eight local TNFL events hosted by the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings and the St. Louis Rams.

In fact, TNFL's most recent newcomer -- none other than the New York Giants, this season's NFC champions -- contributed $70,000 raised from its very first gala to the ShopRite Partners in Caring Fund, a nonprofit program that helps feed hungry kids and adults throughout the New York metropolitan area. How's that for great karma?!

Among this year's recipients of TNFL/Super Bowl-related monies raised -- e.g., via ticket sales, auction items, purchases from the online TNFL Store:
* St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance
* United Food Bank
* America's Second Harvest
* Community Kitchen
* The Campus Kitchens Project
* Food Research & Action Center

Kostroski Recruits Top Chefs, Scores Celebrity Coups
Each year, Wayne Kostroski [pictured], co-founder of Cuisine Concepts, and founder and executive director of Taste of the NFL [AKA Hunger Related Events], recruits chefs from the leading restaurants in TNFL host cities to come to the Super Bowl and collaborate for the season's premier fundraising event. TNFL covers each chef's airfare and lodging, and they show up -- ready and rarin' to prepare and serve their signature dishes to some 3,000 guests, each of whom has paid $500 to $600 per ticket. [Corporate tables for 10 are priced at $5,000.]

"Tickets to our annual event have been sold on eBay for as much as $2,000," Kostroski told GoodBiz113. "Besides the Super Bowl, of course, it's always the hottest ticket in town."

Since we interviewed him last year, the effervescent restaurateur/altruist/sought-after speaker has scored some major coups. Besides adding the New York Giants to TNFL's calendar of local events, he also won several months' worth of free publicity from the far-reaching likes of Martha Stewart Living Radio, SIRIUS channel 112.

Starting last November, Martha Stewart Living Radio has broadcast twice-weekly interviews with chefs, each of whom discusses his or her signature TNFL dish, takes calls from listeners, and shares colorful anecdotes about their favorite NFL players and hometown teams. This evening, the program will broadcast live from TNFL.

"Martha Stewart Living Radio also ran a 'Recipe Bowl' contest, in conjunction with Epicurious.com," beamed Kostroski. "The winner was a woman from Henderson, Nev., whose husband happens to be a high-school football coach. They both get free airfare, lodging, meals and tickets to prime Super Bowl seats. Plus, she gets to cook with one of the sous chefs participating in Taste of the NFL."

Tonight's gala event showcases great wine from Gallo, dishes prepared by chefs from 36 restaurants in all 32 NFL cities, and TNFL and Pro Bowl events. Guests will also get to sample dishes from seven hand-selected "Flavor of the Valley" restaurants that represent some of the best cuisine in the Phoenix/Scottsdale region:
* Cowboy Ciao
* Furio
* Michael's Catering
* Tradiciones
* Roaring Fork
* Eddie V's Edgewater Grille
* Wildfish Seafood Grille

Following dinner, pop star/actor/sports team owner Nick Lachey will emcee auction-related events -- including the presentation of checks to St. Mary's Food Alliance, and United Food Bank. He'll also introduce the evening's entertainment: 1970s rock band, Cheap Trick.

TNFL Serves Up Camaraderie, Not Competition
The food-service industry is rife with seering competition. Refreshingly, TNFL is a bastion of cooperation -- in the kitchen, at the serving tables and behind the scenes.

"You wouldn't believe the camaraderie among our chefs," said Kostroski. "Before Taste of the NFL, we have a Friday night huddle for NFL players, their spouses/partners and the chefs. We present awards to those who have contributed their talents and time to their communities, and do some other fun and special things, too."

After Hurricane Katrina, several New Orleans restaurants closed their doors forever. Not the French Quarter's Bayona Restaurant, whose star chef and co-founder, Susan Spicer, has been a loyal team player since TNFL's early years. To help see Spicer and her displaced employees through the disastrous post-Katrina days, weeks and months, the TNFL "family" took up a collection and sent her a check for nearly $9,000.

"The bottom line to me, in life, is that most people will step up, when asked, to do what they do best," Kostroski noted. "Taste of the NFL reminds people to check your pulse to see how you're feeling, and then to consider what you can do to help others -- whether you're a chef, plumber, electrician, whatever."

On March 6, Kostroski is a featured speaker in the prestigious "Meet The Culinary Entrepreneurs" lecture series, sponsored by New York's Institute of Culinary Education [ICE®]. What will his message be to the ICE® audience of would-be restaurateurs? "To engage people of all talents and backgrounds in order to serve the greater good," he replied.

"Taste of the NFL is another way to be inclusive," Kostroski added. "If someone wants to help us tackle hunger by driving a truck or delivering stuff on a Schwinn, we'll figure it out... Once they come on board, though, we've got 'em forever."

To become involved in TNFL -- as a restaurateur, chef, volunteer, sponsor, etc. -- contact Wayne Kostroski. Phone: 952.926.7478; E-mail: wayne@cuisineconcepts.com.
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Tonight: New York Giants Taste of the NFL to Benefit ShopRite Partners In Caring Fund

Editor's note: This is part of an ongoing series of posts we're producing to keep GoodBiz113 readers informed of Taste of the NFL-related events from coast to coast. [See January 2007 post, "Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America."]

Tonight, at the Stadium Club in The Meadowlands Sports & Entertainment Complex, New York Giants fans will come down from the stands and get into the game -- right alongside their favorite NFL players for a Monday night showdown against hunger.

This evening's first-ever Taste of the Giants gala officially kicks off at 7 p.m., and will showcase fine cuisine prepared by the area's finest chefs, autograph opportunities, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Giants Stadium. A silent auction -- featuring signed memorabilia, tickets to great events and other items -- will benefit ShopRite Partners In Caring, a nonprofit program that helps feed hungry people throughout the New York metropolitan area.

The Taste of the Giants benefit is presented in conjunction with ShopRite and Kraft Foods. General admission tickets are $350 each, and a limited number of VIP tickets have been sold for $500 each. The VIP ticket includes a pre-event reception with players plus an exclusive gift bag.

All proceeds will benefit the ShopRite Partners in Caring Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey. ShopRite Partners In Caring is a year-round, community-based, hunger-fighting initiative that works with more than 70 food-industry manufacturers to provide $2 million annually to qualified charitable agencies in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Since its founding in 1999, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated $13 million to more than 1,400 charities -- including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, child care centers, battered women's shelters, senior citizen programs, drug rehab centers, programs for the mentally and physically disabled, after-school programs, and other organizations that aid those in need.

Sources: New York Giants, ShopRite Partners In Caring
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Oct. 1: Minnesota Vikings to Host Annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, Raffle Off 2007 MINI Cooper

Next Monday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Minnesota Vikings will host their annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner at the Vikings Field House, in Eden Prairie, Minn. While supporting efforts to promote hunger relief efforts and organizations, guests will get to enjoy fantastic food from the Twin Cities' top restaurants, sip fine Gallo of Sonoma wines, and mix and mingle with local athletes and celebrities -- including current and alumni Vikings players.

During the evening, a raffle will determine the winner of a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper, courtesy of Motorwerks MINI, plus a full year of car insurance from Calhoun Insurance Agency. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on several items -- including an opportunity to travel to a 2007 Vikings road game.

All proceeds from this annual event benefit Hunger Solutions Minnesota, through the Viking Children's Fund.

Participating Restaurants
This year, chefs from 20 of the Twin Cities' leading eateries will be serving up their specialties at TNFL Minnesota:
* B.A.N.K.
* Bar Abilene
* Brackett's Crossing
* Canyon Grille
* The Capital Grille
* Cosmos
* Dakota
* Edina Grill
* Firelake
* Franklin Street Bakery
* HazelleWood Grill & Tap Room
* Jensen's Supper Club
* Joe Senser's
* Kincaid's
* Maggiano's Little Italy
* Murray's
* Northcoast Restaurant
* Rudolph's Bar-B-Que
* Tejas Restaurant
* Wildfire

TNFL Partners
In order to help channel as much money as possible to hunger-related efforts via the evening's ticket and silent auction sales, raffle, etc., TNFL Minnesota has partnered with several generous Twin Cities organizations and businesses:
* Ecolab
* Faegre & Benson LLP
* First Commercial Bank
* Gallo Family Vineyards
* Miller Lite
* Minnesota Vikings
* Motorwerks MINI
* Pepsi
* Qwest

MINI Cooper Raffle
Starting today, people can buy raffle tickets at $100 each for a chance to win a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper and a full year's worth of auto insurance. Tickets my be purchased by cash or check [no credit cards accepted] at Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Tejas Restaurant, Bar Abilene or Motorwerks MINI.

The drawing will be held during next Monday night's TNFL Minnesota event. Winner need not be present to collect on his or her prize.

FYI: Just 500 raffle tickets are available, so enter ASAP!

Tickets
Tickets for this year's TNFL Minnesota fundraiser are $160 per person for general admission [no reserved seat], or $1,500 for a table of 10 [reserved seating]. Orders may be faxed using this registration form; phoned in [612.338.4537]; or placed online.

For more information about this year's Minnesota Vikings Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, call 612.338.4537.
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Cleveland Browns' Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner Raises $140,000-Plus to Fight Hunger, Raise Awareness

On Sept. 10, 2007, 1,000-plus people gathered in the City View Club Lounge, at Cleveland Browns Stadium, to nosh on delectable foodstuffs, sip wine, hobnob with celebrities, and raise more than $140,000 to fight hunger.

As GoodBiz113 reported two weeks ago ["Sept. 10: NFL's Regular-Season Play Kicks Off With Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner"], the Cleveland Browns have teamed with Cleveland Foodbank, chefs from more than two dozen of Cleveland's best restaurants, plus several generous sponsors, to host its annual Taste of the NFL dinner. It's one of several TNFL events held in NFL cities throughout the year to raise funds to help feed hungry people, and heighten awareness of hunger in America.

Among the celebrities at last week's fundraiser: John Lanigan, from WMJI ["Majic 105.7"]; and Tim White and Romona Robinson, from WKYC-TV ["Channel 3"], Cleveland's NBC affiliate, who served as emcees. Browns alumnus Kevin Mack and current player Simon Fraser were honorary co-chairs. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson [pictured above with young fan] was on hand, too.

What were the evening's highlights? "There was a great group of Cleveland Browns players and alumni – almost 40 in all – that really mixed and mingled with the guests," said Karen Ponza, communications manager of Cleveland FoodBank, the targeted nonprofit group that will channel funds to help feed Cleveland's hungry people. "The silent auction had a lot of great prizes as well."

How much money was raised? "We raised more than $140,000," Ponza told GoodBiz113. "That's about $25,000 more than last year -- thanks, mostly, to a jump in 10-pack sales. We had a great volunteer on our committee who really helped recruit new companies to buy 10-packs of tickets."

Way to score, Cleveland! Stay tuned to GoodBiz113 for reports about additional TNFL events happening soon.

Source: Cleveland Foodbank
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