Game Day Grub – Kick Your Menu Up a Notch with Fresh Flavors!

Winning Flavors for Football Season

As football season rolls in, restaurants everywhere are gearing up to score big with game-day menus that keep fans cheering, no matter the score. Whether you’re feeding fans in the stadium or at home, bold flavors, hearty plates, and creative spins on traditional ingredients are the keys to success. In this playbook, we’re focusing on two winning strategies to elevate your game-day offerings. First, we'll explore traditional flavors used in unexpected ways. Then, we'll look at some non-traditional ingredients to help you surprise and delight your guests. Let’s huddle up!

Micro Celery

Small but mighty, Micro Celery brings all the familiar, crisp, refreshing flavor of traditional celery in a more concentrated, visually appealing form. Think of it as the “Hail Mary” of toppers —light, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Find more information about Micro Celery here.

Game Day Menu Play: Top off your loaded buffalo chicken dip with a sprinkle of Micro Celery for an unexpected kick. It adds a fresh crunch and bright flavor to balance the rich, creamy dip, while keeping that beloved buffalo wing and celery pairing intact.

Elevated Buffalo Sliders: Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Micro Celery on a Brioche Bun

Traditional Flavors, Unexpected Plays

Even in football, the classics never go out of style. But why not give them an unexpected twist? Here’s how you can take traditional game-day flavors and elevate them to the next level.

Micro Cilantro

Micro Cilantro packs all the flavor of full-grown cilantro, minus the polarizing “soapy” notes. It's the MVP when you're looking to infuse freshness into hearty dishes. Find more information about Micro Cilantro here.

Game Day Menu Play: Add Micro Cilantro to nachos, tacos, or your signature chili for a flavor boost that will have your guests calling an audible! It’s the perfect way to elevate these fan-favorite snacks with an unexpected pop of brightness.

Micro Onion

With its bold, sharp flavor, Micro Onion is a game-changer in any dish, offering the familiar taste of onion in a sleek, refined package. Find more information about Micro Onion here.

Game Day Menu Play: Use Micro Onion as a bed for your steak sliders, or toss it into your queso for a flavor touchdown. It’s also great for topping burgers or sprinkling over hearty, game-day soups.

Micro Intensity Mix™

This vibrant, bold mix of microgreens delivers a wide array of flavors—spicy, fresh, and peppery—that combine to create a powerhouse of flavor and texture. Find more information about Micro Intensity Mix™ here.

Game Day Menu Play: Use the Micro Intensity Mix™ to elevate a house salad or add as a colorful, flavorful topper for loaded potato skins. The mix’s bold flavors will cut through the richness of heavier dishes, offering balance and complexity.

Non-Traditional Ingredients to Impress the Crowd

Want to impress your guests with something unexpected? These non-traditional ingredients pack serious flavor and will leave your customers buzzing long after the final whistle.

Kinome Leaf

Known for its unique, tongue-tingling sensation, Kinome Leaf is a Japanese herb that brings a fresh citrus and peppery flavor with a cool finish. It’s perfect for adding depth to any dish. Find more information about Kinome Leaf here.

Game Day Menu Play: Elevate your shrimp skewers or grilled sausages with a Kinome Leaf flourish. It adds a playful, sensory twist that will have your customers coming back for more. Pair it with rich, grilled meats for a surprising and delightful contrast.

Mini Fruit Crystals® Habanero

These tiny crystals deliver a punch of sweet heat that turns ordinary dishes into culinary fireworks. With the perfect balance of sweetness and heat, they add an unexpected layer of complexity to both savory and sweet offerings. Find more information about Mini Fruit Crystals® Habanero here.

Game Day Menu Play: Try sprinkling Mini Fruit Crystals® Habanero over caramelized wings or crispy chicken tenders for a game-changing snack. The crystals’ sweet heat adds a whole new dimension to classic comfort foods and is sure to surprise your guests.

Giant Fire Leaf™

With its bright green leaves and red veins, Giant Fire Leaf™ is as visually striking as it is flavorful. Its tart, citrus-like flavor and crisp texture make it the perfect way to add both flair and flavor to your dishes. Find more information about Giant Fire Leaf™ here.

Game Day Menu Play: Use Giant Fire Leaf™ to top your crispy fish tacos or veggie flatbreads. The vibrant color and refreshing flavor will add a visual and flavor-packed punch, turning ordinary game-day plates into standout dishes.