Another NFL season has come to a conclusion with the New York Giants over the New England Patriots in the "big game." As is customary at my house, we had a few friends over for the traditional game day Football and Food Fest. Every year, I try to prepare dishes that represent each of the teams facing off for the beloved Lombardi Trophy. This year wasn’t too difficult; we just set-up our tailgate tent on the back patio, broke out the corn-hole game, kicked some fieldgoals, threw the football around and had a proper tailgate party without having to travel to Indy.

With New York and New England in the game it was very easy to come up with the menu: New York strips, New England clam chowder and a New York-Style cheesecake. With my seven-year old assisting, we put together the chowder and the cheesecake the day before, and by the time everyone starting showing up around three o’clock on Sunday we were all set.

 We served a few different beverages for the tailgate leading up to dinner. On the beer side, we had Unibroue La Fin du Monde, Dogfish Head Raison D’ Etre, Roscoe’s Hop House Amber and Napa Smith Organic IPA. For wine, I opened a Kenwood Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon and La Calonica Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. My favorite was the Dogfish Head, tons of flavor with a great finish.

 Although I was rooting for the losing team, (the Patriots, if you were on Mars over the weekend)  it was a great way to spend a Sunday with family and friends. Next year we will be cooking up some Jacksonville food to cheer on the Jaguars in Super Bowl XLVII…Go Jags!

Ken Amendola, Wine Supervisor, N. Florida

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