Culinary lineup for Super Bowl features Tastes of Texas

Super Bowl LI in Houston will be watched live by more than one billion people, but for those with a ticket, the action on the plate will rival the game on the field.

Led by Senior Executive Chef Mark Cornish, Aramark — the exclusive food and beverage partner of NRG Stadium — has created a game day line-up that will have hungry fans downing Lone Star-inspired offering like a linebacker on a fumble.

Chef Cornish will be assisted by 2,400 Aramark associates — including visiting executive chefs from Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), FirstEnergy Stadium (Cleveland Browns) and U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings) — responsible for sourcing, preparing and serving the Super Bowl LI Menu from start to finish. This world-class culinary team is also getting a boost from talented culinary students at Houston Independent School District.

To celebrate the many flavors the great state of Texas has to offer and Houston’s thriving culinary scene, Aramark is offering a menu that runs the gamut of classic, specialty and signature fare throughout NRG Stadium. Whether guests are enjoying field level concessions, tasting menu items on the club level or delighting in the progressive menu in the suites, they can experience the diverse tastes of Houston that are being served

AFC-NFC Tribute Items
Fans attending the Super Bowl will have more than their favorite team to rally around. To honor the two teams competing in this year’s game, Chef Cornish has created two items that pay tribute to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, using signature ingredients from each team’s hometown.

•Beantown Griller — 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

•The ATL Fried Chicken Stak — Crisp Waffle Fries, topped with Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Peach Marmalade BBQ Sauce, Sour Cream and Green Onions

•The Bayou City Bánh Mì 51 – A Bánh Mì-style sandwich with grilled fajita steak, avocado spread and pickled vegetables.

Celebrity Chef Partnerships
NRG Stadium’s line up of Houston-centric fare is further bolstered by a stable of renowned chefs and restaurateurs – including Ronnie Killen, long considered the city’s top BBQ pit master; Chris Shepherd, James Beard Award-winning chef; and Grady Spears, nationally acclaimed Texas chef – all of whom have existing partnerships with Aramark at the stadium.

“Taste Of Houston”
Within general concessions, fans will find assorted classics accentuating the tastes of Houston, such as Ronnie Killen’s BBQ Burnt End Sandwich and Brisket Sandwich; Grady Spears’s Steak Sandwich; Fuddruckers’ All American Pigskin Burger; Loaded Baked Potatoes; Bum’s Sausage Sandwich; Topped Dogs; Extreme Nachos; Chopped Beef Sandwich; Fish and Pork Tacos.

Clubs and Suites
For guests dining on the club level, the menu will feature Chris Shepherd’s signature 44 Farms Jalapeno Cheese Dog with jalapeno bacon jam and Chef Cornish’s Texas Surf & Turf, a cold-smoked tenderloin sandwich served accompanied by gouda mac and cheese infused with lump lobster and House-Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese with house made Pimento cheese on Texas toast and a side of house fried pickles.

Within suites, ticketholders will be able to choose from a menu package featuring Jackson and Company’s Chicken Empanadas with creamy avocado sauce; Jalapeno bacon Wrapped Chicken with raspberry chipotle sauce; Smoked Meatballs and Pimento cheese grits; Maple Crusted Beef Tenderloin; and Drunken Pear and Goat Cheese Salad.

“Houston is one of the country’s most diverse cities and the Super Bowl provides the perfect backdrop to showcase the wide array of cuisine and talent contributing to its culinary renaissance,” said Aramark’s Chef Cornish. “While the game may be the main event, the Aramark team has been working tirelessly to create a world-class menu that brings the best of our city to life for visiting fans from across the country.”

—By Aramark