Yesterday My Table magazine was invited to George R. Brown Convention Center for an inside look at and taste of the food chosen and made by Aramark, the company that oversees feeding guests at NRG, to serve at Super Bowl LI.
Last summer we reported some new additions to what would be served at NRG Stadium to Texans ticket-holders during the 2016-17 football season. Houston’s Chris Shepherd and Ronnie Killen added hometown chef glitz to the menu then, and they’re both back alongside Aramark’s senior executive chef Mark Cornish in giving specialty bites the razzle-dazzle at the Super Bowl on February 5.
Another celebrity chef partnership with Aramark includes one with Grady Spears of Horseshoe Hill Cafe in Fort Worth.
And while collaborations with well-known Lone Star chefs for the food found in general concessions is a great marketing strategy, props to Aramark for working with high school culinary students to develop a dish representing Houston tastes as well.
Aramark’s two team-themed entrees designed by chef Cornish and served at NRG stadium on Super Bowl Sunday will be the Beantown Griller (a carb-rich nod to the New England Patriots, of course), which is described as “slow-cooked tri-tip pot roast, sweet caramelized onions, Cabot cheddar cheese on whole grain bread, served with a side of bacon-infused baked beans,” and the ATL Fried Chicken Stak, “crisp waffle fries topped with buttermilk fried chicken, peach marmalade barbecue sauce, sour cream and green onions” (photo above).
We’re rooting for the Bayou City Banh Mi 51 (photo above), which was the creation of three HISD students from Westside High school, Dominique Jackson, Michelle Meadows and Vivian Romero. It’s a banh mi-style sandwich with grilled fajita beef, avocado spread and pickled vegetables. Also found in general concessions will be Killen’s BBQ burnt-end sandwich and a steak sandwich designed by Grady Spears.
What else is on the menu for football fans attending the game? Chris Shepherd’s 44 Farms jalapeño cheese dog with jalapeño bacon jam (photo above) is one of several options available at the club level, and Jackson and Company’s chicken empanadas with creamy avocado sauce and drunken pear and goat cheese salad are two examples of what will be served in the posh suites.
Want to sample some of the Super Bowl concessions and buy merchandise but don’t have a ticket to the game? Check out the NFL Experience this weekend and next week, where guests can get a taste of Super Bowl LI and even buy gear to commemorate Houston’s third time to host the annual NFL event. Adult tickets are $35.