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Savor the Super Bowl

02/04/2010 by Jason Oliver Nixon

This Sunday, your favorite Jetsetter will be sitting front and central in front of my TV to watch Super Bowl XLIV and will be routing for the Saints. (Is that too political for me to admit?) Regardless of my sports team affinities, just do NOT think that I will be eating pizza or chicken wings. Why not “do up” your Super Bowl viewing with some kicked-up cuisine. I turned to my great pal (and Miami denizen) Barton G.—the man behind the fabulous Barton G. The Restaurant in Miami Beach as well as Prelude by Barton G.—for six fabulous tips to planning the perfect football-focused fête.

Planning

Think ahead and think inclusive. Alleviate pre-party stress by planning well in advance, from invitations to set-up and food. When your guests arrive you want to be ready, relaxed and armed with a game plan for the evening, one which will give you almost as much time to enjoy the game as your guests. And take into consideration the likelihood of non-football fans, vegetarians and non-drinkers/designated drivers attending. They will appreciate you seamlessly catering to their preferences.

Invitations & Decorations

Take advantage of the Internet—a number of sites offer Super Bowl party invitations and decorative items. You may find the decorations tacky, but at the very least, football/Super Bowl themed paper and plastic plates, platters, napkins and glasses are in order to set the tone and help with clean-up. Also, get some foam footballs that can be thrown at the screen to express joy or displeasure without doing any damage and scatter them around the room.

Set-up

While Super Bowl parties have become an annual all-American food fest favorite, don’t lose sight of the fact it’s still about the game (or at least the commercials and halftime show). If you don’t have one, rent a big flat-screen TV. And see first tip above. Make arrangements to rent the equipment well in advance.
Set-up a somewhat separate seating area for non-football fans to congregate, one easily accessible to food and drink and with sightlines to that big screen. There they can mingle without being over- (or under!) whelmed by the enthusiasm of avid fans. Give them disposable cameras and declare them the official chroniclers of the night’s festivities to assure they are part of the action.

Food

Remember it’s a long night. When planning your menu, think in terms of pacing its presentation. You don’t want everything sitting out all evening long. Plus, having “courses” gives more of a sense of occasion. Also gear the menu toward food that can be prepared, and even plated, in advance, so you spend a minimum amount of time in the kitchen. Start with no-fail crowd pleasers that can be purchased ready-made, such as chips, a veggie platter and complementary dips; pigs n’ blankets; miniature crab cakes; mixed olives; mini-pizzas; and a bowl or two of mixed nuts. They should be out when guests arrive. Put out dessert after halftime. The teams’ cities will likely have a local specialty. Replenish the cheese tray and add some fruit.

Beverages

Of course, beer is a must. Offer a “light” version in addition to your brew of choice. And have some non-alcoholic beer on hand too. Establish a beer station with bottles/cans in a vessel filled with ice. Make sure to have plenty of bottled water there too, along with some soda.