Tailgating

Tailgating dates all the way back to the beginning of football when people in horse and buggy and early model cars had to drive long trips to football games; these people would pack food and cook sausages over a fire at the tail end of the carriage, and so tailgating was born. Tailgating has come a long way since the turn of the 20 th century, instead of horse and buggies and model T cars, fans now drive vans and busses painted up with their favorite teams colors, paint their faces, and get pretty wild. We have put together a few tips and recipes to make your tailgating experience a safe and fun one!

Food safety and preparation is very important in tailgating and outdoor cooking.

Here are some other tips:

• Plan your menu a few days before the game. nullFavorite tailgating foods include bratwurst, sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken and hotdogs.
• Remember food safety begins at the store. nullStart by buying the freshest produce and meats. nullPut meats into a plastic bag to prevent juices from leaking on other food and contaminating it. nullStock up on plenty of plastic utensils, cups and plates. null
• Do as much of your prep possible work the night before. nullChop vegetables and store in separate bags and containers to keep flavors from mixing and save time. nullMarinate pork, beef and chicken in sealable bags. nullnull
• Pack up the car the night before with tables, chairs, and trash bags. nullUse two insulated coolers, one for drinks and ready-to-eat foods, the other for raw meats. nullPack foods in reverse order so the last ones packed will be the first ones used. null
• Get to the stadium early, three to four hours before game time to find a good spot to park and get set up.
• Serve food 1 nullhours before kick-off. Take the time to cook it thoroughly to destroy bacteria.
• Cook extra food, share it with tailgate neighbors and swap recipes.
• Pack up leftover food in clean sealable bags or airtight plastic containers and keep in the cooler. Toss food that nulls been sitting out for more than two hours. null
• Be sure to bring plenty of extra plastic garbage bags for cleanup before heading into the stadium.
• Have fun!
• CLICK HERE FOR SOME OF OUR TAILGATING RECIPES