On Saturday, February 1, 2020, Taste of the NFL’s annual star-studded wine and food fundraiser, Party with a Purpose®, brought together exceptional cuisine, over 40 prominent chefs from around the country, NFL players, coaches, sports legends, celebrities, and more, all to support the fight against hunger.
Guests packed the high-end NFL sanctioned event on Super Bowl eve at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. As a result of Party with a Purpose and fundraising programs that continued through the entire NFL season, over 4 million new meals will be created. The nationwide fundraising campaign’s net proceeds directly support food banks nationwide. Donations can still be made at www.KickHungerChallenge.com.
The event featured a chef from each NFL city serving their signature dish alongside a current alumni or Hall of Fame NFL player. Throughout the evening guests continued to bid and donate at the Lunchbox Station and the Silent Auction. Top items included several pairs of Super Bowl tickets, a tanzanite and diamond necklace, signed jerseys, helmets, vacation getaways and much more.
Coach Don Shula served as Honorary Chair for this year’s Taste of the NFL. The evening was hosted by Celebrity Chefs and Personalities Adam Richman and Andrew Zimmern along with Ben Leber — former NFL linebacker and college football broadcaster for Fox Sports and Minnesota Vikings Sideline Analyst; Scott Murray — nationally known anchor and host formerly of NBC; Suzy Kolber — American football sideline reporter, co-producer, and sportscaster for ESPN; Randall McDaniel — Minnesota Vikings alumni, Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL 100; and Hall of Famer Tony Dungy — former NFL player and legendary coach. Guests roaming the crowd included Omar Benson Miller (CBS The Unicorn and HBO Ballers); Jessie Davis (current Miami Dolphins offensive guard); Danny Isadora (current Miami Dolphins guard); and more.
Local Miami Dolphin alumni and chefs who were among the must-see’s at the event were former Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl and James Beard Award-winning Chef Allen Susser, who represented the Miami Dolphins; Chef Demetrio Zavala from Shula’s Restaurant Group and former Dolphins safety Dick Anderson who represented Shula’s American Steakhouse and the Dolphins’ Perfect Season; last season’s host committee chef representative Executive Chef Paula DaSilva from The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale and Burlock Coast; 2019 Grid Iron Grill
Off Battle winner Chef Brad Phillips from Even Keel Fish & Oyster, and this year’s local Kick Hunger Challenge winner Chef Jorge Gutierrez from Lona on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Representing Super Bowl LIV Champions Kansas City Chiefs was Chef Michael Smith of Farina Restaurant in Kansas City and former Kansas City Chief Eddie Kennison. Together they served up Moroccan Lamb Harira & Cous Cous. Chef Parke Ulrich from Waterbar in San Francisco, California and former 49ers linebacker and NFL 2000 Hall of Fame star Dave Wilcox teamed up to represent the San Francisco 49ers. Together the duo dished up Dungeness Crab Fried Rice with uni mayo and bacon.
The centerpiece of the event was a beautiful official Taste of the NFL Super Bowl cake that was created by Cake Boss. To make it extra sweet, Celebrity Chefs Mauro Castano and Joey Faugno from the hit show offered up their famous cannolis.
After guests indulged in the best food and wine in the country everyone proceeded to the after party, located one level down from the mainstage. There, entertainer Derrick Wright was joined by his all-star band that included Amanda Brown; Ali Caldwell; Cheryl Pepsii Riley; Guy Lockard; Al “Boogie” Carty; Miles Robertson; Ricardo Ramos and Peter Wise, who got the crowd on their feet and dancing late into night.
For a full event menu please visit https://www.tasteofthenfl.com/event-menu.
