World-Renowned Chefs and NFL Greats Team Up to Tackle Hunger in America

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts are headed to the Super Bowl XLI and the excitement is building in South Florida. For the 16th year, Taste of the NFL (TNFL) will add its own flavor to the mix of big-game excitement with its Party with a Purpose(R).

To help raise awareness and dollars to tackle hunger in America, TNFL will give the public the opportunity to get in on some of the NFL Super Bowl action by feasting on dishes prepared by world-renowned chefs, and mingling with some of football's all-time greats for a night of food, wine, fun and football.

TNFL XVI takes place Saturday, Feb. 3, at Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Housed in its largest facility to date, TNFL is doing more than ever to give its guests a night to remember. In addition to stations for each of the 32 NFL teams and the Pro Bowl, guests will enjoy new, themed hot spots, including: a special Flavors of South Florida section, the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins, The University of Miami Hurricanes and internationally-renowned artist Charles Fazzino.

Since its founding in 1992, Taste of the NFL has raised more than $6 million for hunger-related charities and has become one of the premier events of Super Bowl weekend, hosting an average of 3,000 guests on the eve of the big game. The recipe for success is outstanding food, perfectly paired wines, personal interaction with NFL greats, a one-of-a-kind silent auction and live entertainment.

"With so many private events surrounding the Super Bowl, we are proud to be one of the select few that everyone has the opportunity to attend because it lets everyone in on the fun while raising awareness and funds for a great cause," said Wayne Kostroski, Taste of the NFL founder and executive director. "For the past 16 years, our team, consisting of chefs, NFL players, sponsors and guests, has come together for one wonderful night to do our part to help those who are hungry in America."

A portion of the funds raised through the Party with a Purpose are distributed to members of America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network(TM), located in NFL cities. Additional funds also are distributed through other national hunger relief programs including Food Research & Action Council (FRAC) and The Campus Kitchens Project. In South Florida, Miami's Daily Bread Food Bank and the Sun Sentinel Children's Fund will benefit from the 2007 event.

According to "Hunger in America 2006," a recent hunger study conducted by America's Second Harvest, approximately 4.5 million different people receive emergency food assistance from agencies affiliated with America's Second Harvest Food Banks in any given week -- more than the number of residents in the city of Los Angeles, the second largest city in the U.S. For more information about hunger in America, visit http://www.secondharvest.org/.

In addition to the national event, seven NFL cities raised funds for their community in 2006 by hosting a local TNFL celebrity dinner with their respective team. Steady growth of the event at both the local and national level has helped TNFL achieve its increasingly important mission.

"The support of our guests, volunteers and sponsors on a national and local level are the driving force behind our success," Kostroski added. "The significant contributions from our partners allow us to generously give to hunger relief organizations nationwide."

Sponsors for Taste of the NFL XVI include: Gallo Family Vineyards, Publix Super Markets, XBOX 360, Premier Beverage, Mr. Coffee, Oster, Ecolab, Hard Rock Cafe, Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel.

The entertainment for 2007 is Styx. More information is available at http://www.styxworld.com/.

In addition to national event ticket sales, auction proceeds and sponsorships, funds also are raised through the sale of the Taste of the NFL Restaurant Guide, offering a city-by-city guide to some of the finest restaurants in America.

Tickets to Taste of the NFL and copies of the 2007 Restaurant Guide, which is available for $19.95, can be purchased by calling +1-952-835-7621. Individual tickets are available for $500, early entry VIP tickets are $600 and corporate tables with VIP amenities are $6,000. For more information, visit http://www.tasteofthenfl.com/.

America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. For more on the America's Second Harvest Network, please visit http://www.secondharvest.org/.