Successful NFL Tailgate Party

Pappas Steakhouse Executive Chef James Johnson

by Steven Doyle

Last evening we attended the Taste of NFL Ultimate Tailgate Party at the Glass Cactus on the ever-sprawling campus of Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. The event benefited our local North Texas Food Bank. This is the event had its roots with chef Kent Rathbun (Abacus, Jasper’s and Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen) and began some years back on his parking lot at Abacus on McKinney.

The evening was top-heavy with current and former Dallas Cowboy legends and hosted by DeMarcus Ware who was abetted by at least 20 of our areas best chefs that had set up stations scattered through out the duo-floor complex.

Highlights for this evening included several generous bidders that competed in a hot battle to win an evening with chef Rathbun in a 6-course wine paired evening at their home, and ended in a dead tie where both parties shelled out a gracious amount with 100% of the proceeds given directly to the food bank.

Beefy Del Frisco Offering

This has been a good year for North Texas Food Bank, as they also received a major chunk of what was raised during the Super Bowl fete put on by the very same Taste of NFL folks who raised over a million dollars for the single party. This shouldn’t deter any efforts to support the cause as the food bank has been in great stress due to the state of the economy.

Rathbun Buffalo Sliders

This night was also about our great local chefs who also tirelessly donate their time, food and staff for a multitude of events through out the year, and this one was no exception.

Keep your eyes on craveDFW through out the year where we will report on future events like this.