a taste of the nfl

Taste of the NFL, The Party with a Purpose®, is the premier food and wine tasting extravaganza held annually on the eve of the Super Bowl in the host city. It features a top chef from each of the 31 NFL cities paired with an alumnus or current player from each team. Attendees are able to sample specialty foods, meet the chefs, and take photos with and get autographs from players. Super Bowl XLII marks the 17th anniversary of Taste of the NFL. The event has raised more than $6.8 million during the past 16 years.

One of a few officially sanctioned NFL events, TNFL gives guests an opportunity to savor some of the Super Bowl action. While feasting on dishes made by nationally renowned chefs and visiting with all-time football greats everyone at TNFL comes together to raise awareness and dollars to tackle hunger in America. In addition to stations for each of the 32 NFL teams and the Pro Bowl, guests will enjoy new, themed sections featuring the Flavors of the Valley, The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, which hosted Taste of the NFL in 1996, and internationally renowned artist Charles Fazzino.

Since its founding in 1992, Taste of the NFL has raised more than $6.8 million for hunger-related charities and has become one of the premier events of Super Bowl

weekend, hosting an average of 3,000 guests on the eve of the big game. The recipe for success continues to be outstanding food, perfectly paired wines, personal interaction with NFL greats, one-of-a-kind silent auction and live entertainment.

“This area holds significant meaning to our mission as the home of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, the first food bank in the country,” said Wayne Kostroski, TNFL founder and executive director. “We are pleased to return to the Valley once again and showcase our excellent team of chefs, players, sponsors and volunteers with the community as we do our part to fight hunger.

A portion of the funds raised through The Party with a Purpose are distributed to members of America's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network™ (A2H) located in NFL cities. This year, a special, local emphasis will be placed on the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix and United Food Bank in Mesa. Additional funds also will be distributed through other national hunger relief programs including Food Research & Action Council (FRAC), The Campus Kitchens Project and the A2H Community Kitchen® program.

“Each year, the partnership and support of our guests, volunteers and sponsors drive our event’s success,” Kostroski added. “At both the national and local levels, this extended team is helping to spread the message and raise funds to feed to the alarming number of people who need our help every day in communities nationwide.”

In addition to national event ticket sales, auction proceeds and sponsorships, funds also are raised through the sale of the Taste of the NFL Restaurant Guide, offering recipes, restaurant recommendations and tips from some of the finest chefs in America.

Copies of the 2008 Restaurant Guide can be purchased for $19.95 by calling (952) 835-7621. Individual tickets to Taste of the NFL are available for $500, early entry VIP tickets are $600 and corporate tables with VIP amenities for 10 are $6,000. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, visit www.tasteofthenfl.com.

When: Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008

Where: Phoenix Convention Center, South Building
100 N. Third St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Time: 6 p.m. – VIP and Corporate Table entry.
7 – 9:30 p.m. – Main event. Food and beverages served.
9:45 p.m. – Entertainment begins.

Tickets: $500 guest ticket
$600 VIP early entry ticket/special seating
$6,000 for corporate tables – seating for 10
Business casual dress suggested

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tasteofthenfl.com or call 952.835.7621.