Scottsdale, AZ – What do you get when you take Athletes, celebrities, chefs, food and fun on Saturday night, at the Westworld of Scottsdale? Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose ®.
January 31, 2015 marked the date of the 24th Annual Party with a Purpose ® to fight hunger throughout the country. The night began with the annual red carpet where the likes of NFL Hall of Famers Jack Youngblood, Kellen Winslow and Randall McDaniel, to name a few, joined 2015 Miss America Kira Kazantsev and Taste of the NFL Celebrity Spokespersons Alyssa Milano and Adam Richmond, who were hosts for the event, posed for pictures, completed interviews and exemplified the excitement of engaging in a great cause.
Richmond conveyed his excitement “to be associated with something that’s doing good, not just one of the sort of glamourous parties that are wonderful here, but to be affiliated with the organization and the party that gives back , and gives back in a glamourous way” as he walked the red carpet.
“To finally be here is really great” Milano expressed as she entered for a night of fun.
Once inside, guests found themselves surrounded by an unlimited amount of food cooked by chefs representing the NFL Teams, each bringing an NFL Player Representative to engage with the guests.
San Diego Chargers Chef representative Jonathan Hale brought NFL Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow, Sr., who enjoys “coming back with all the guys, seeing all the chefs again, it’s just reconnecting, it’s just like a reunion”. Guests tasted the Fois Gras Ice Cream Pop prepared and were able to take pictures and have Winslow sign autographs, however, Winslow stated how the most important thing for the night was “that we are putting meals on tables that would not be there if not for his event”.
As guests gathered around Michael Griffin of the Tennessee Titans and Chef representative Deb Paquette to taste the Moroccan Cocoa Lamb Loin, Griffin expressed how much he was “looking forward to meeting the great people, the fans, the sponsors” who make Party with a Purpose ® a success. But Griffin made it a point to make sure that no matter if on the field of play, or cooking for a few thousand guests, “that it’s all about being a team” to make the event a success.
Although food was the flavor of the night that did not mean that some did not have the next day and the Big Game on their mind. Former New England Patriot Matt Light didn’t care as much about the Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi being cooked up by Chef representative Steve DiFillippo as much as he was looking forward to seeing both Seattle and New England “kicking the snot out of each other from the start to the finish” and “hope his boys come out” and take home another ring.
Some fans came for the food, while others came for the festivities and being surrounded by their favorite athletes, but ESPN analyst and former quarterback Trent Dilfer made it a point to note that Party with a Purpose ® was “his favorite event of the week” because of “what it represents” and “loves that it goes back to a charitable cause, feeding people that are less fortunate” and make this event a “must go to”. Dilfer’s statements sum up the value, impact and representation Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose ® resonates with those in attendance for both the athletes and guests.
Little Big Town wrapped up the night with an incredible performance all those in attendance rocked out to and danced off the food they had just indulged.
Next up, the 25th annual Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose ® in San Francisco in 2016, which promises to bring more of the same, food, athletes, celebrities, guests, along with the number one goal – fighting against hunger.
