Meatballs from recipe of stadium chef’s grandmother among food garnering attention
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sept. 13, 2010) – Football fans at tonight’s New York Jets home opener on Monday Night Football will find out what New York Giants fans discovered Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium – there are plenty of tasty regional dishes to enjoy at the game.
Delaware North Companies Sportservice – which was selected to provide concessions, premium dining and year-round catering at the premier new sports and entertainment venue – worked with the stadium and teams to give football fans exciting new food concepts inspired by local New York and New Jersey restaurants, traditions and fresh regional ingredients.
The stadium’s regional food theme, known as the Home Food Advantage, features authentic fare that Sportservice Executive Chef Eric Borgia recalled from growing up in the region, as well as dishes Sportservice President Rick Abramson scouted during several tours of restaurants in the area.
Borgia’s “Nonna Fusco’s Meatballs,” a concessions and club menu item he developed using his grandmother’s recipe, is among the dishes that have gotten rave reviews as the stadium has opened for football.
“I think fans are delighted to see local and regional favorites available throughout New Meadowlands Stadium,” Borgia said. “From egg and pepper sandwiches to my Nonna Fusco’s meatballs, I’m trying to give fans the smells and tastes of the kitchens they remember growing up.”
The $1.6 billion New Meadowlands Stadium seats 82,500 fans, including 15,000 seats in clubs and suites. It features more than 800 points of sale and a catered tailgating area outside of the stadium serving fans arriving via commuter rail. Concessions within the stadium feature 42 permanent stands, 91 portable beer carts, 90 portable food carts and four concourse bar areas.
Borgia oversees all culinary operations at New Meadowlands Stadium. Since joining Delaware North in 2002, Borgia has served in various high-level culinary positions, including most recently as executive chef at the San Diego Padres’ PETCO Park, and at the helm of some of the company’s most prestigious events. Borgia is certified by the American Culinary Federation as a chef de cuisine.
New Meadowlands Stadium features the following concessions stands, portables and local favorites:
- The Boardwalk Fryer serves fried natural casing hot dogs, Italian-style hot dogs, chicken tenders, crinkle-cut fries and fried clam strips.
- Custom Grind Brooklyn Burger and Fries features Brooklyn’s favorite custom grind burger, as well as grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches.
- Franks serves world-famous Hebrew National stadium dogs and barbecue beef sandwiches.
- Cheesesteaks stands feature fresh-made cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks.
- New York Deli slices up delicious corned beef, pastrami, and turkey sandwiches and knish.
- Premio Sausage & Peppers serves hot and sweet Italian sausages with peppers and onions.
Other local favorites include:
- Nonna Fusco’s Meatballs inspired by Chef Eric Borgia’s grandmother
- Gyros, or traditional thinly sliced lamb gyro meat on pita bread, topped with tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, onions and shredded lettuce
- Slow-roasted Italian Roast Pork Sandwiches
- Red Bean Turkey Chili and White Bean Turkey Chili
- Pepper and Egg Sandwiches
- Taylor Ham Sandwiches made with cheese
- Welsh Farms’ soft-serve ice cream
Borgia is joined by Christopher Harkness, the executive chef who oversees premium culinary operations. Harkness has served as executive chef for Manhattan catering company Great Performances, which with Sportservice jointly operates the grand ballroom and conference facilities of The Plaza, the iconic Manhattan hotel.
Sportservice provides premium dining and exclusive amenities in the stadium’s suites and clubs – the Commissioner’s Club, the Toyota Coaches Club, the Great West Hall Club, the Touchdown Club (located on the East Sideline) and the Lexus Gridiron Club (located on the West Sideline).
Sportservice is also serving signature dishes developed by Food Network as part of the suites menu and a variety of gourmet hot dogs in the sideline clubs. Delaware North began a partnership with the iconic lifestyle network earlier this year.
Credited with originating sports concessions nearly 100 years ago, Sportservice for decades has been a top concessionaire at Major League Baseball parks and other major sports and entertainment venues. The company’s chefs provide premium dining at eight Major League Ballparks, six National Hockey League arenas and three other National Football League stadiums, including Soldier Field in Chicago.