As the 2026 NFL season kicks off, Delaware North Sportservice is going inside the kitchen with the chefs bringing game day to life across some of football’s most iconic venues.
Throughout the season, we’ll spotlight the culinary leaders shaping the fan experience – from new menu items and local flavors to the behind-the-scenes preparation that powers every kickoff.
Our next executive chef to be featured is Steve McQueeny at EverBank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Sportservice provides culinary services.
1. What does the offseason look like for an NFL executive chef?
The NFL offseason is a critical time for us to evaluate our food operation. We review sales data, identify top performers and opportunities, update food costs, review vendor pricing and develop new menu concepts for the upcoming season.
This year, the stadium’s ongoing construction project has added a unique dimension to our offseason planning. Navigating significant venue enhancements while preparing for the season required close collaboration, adaptability and strategic planning across the culinary team. The construction effort has provided a rare opportunity to reimagine aspects of our operation and position us for an even stronger guest experience when fans return this season.
2. Fans can look forward to a lot of great food this season. What’s one new item or concept you’re particularly excited about?
One of the concepts I’m most excited about this season is our new Fan First Favorite Menu, featuring a lineup of fan-favorite items all priced at $4.99 each. The menu was designed to provide guests with great value while showcasing the bold flavors they look for on game day.
In our club spaces, we’ve also introduced an exciting new concept called Cheese Zone, a customizable mac-and-cheese bar that allows guests to build their perfect bowl with a variety of toppings and flavor combinations..
3. Jacksonville has a distinct food culture. How does the city influence what shows up on your menus?
Jacksonville’s food culture has a big influence on what we put on our menus. One of our goals this season was to incorporate more local flavors into both our concession offerings and our suite menus.
On the concession side, we introduced the Riverside Heatwave, which highlights the region’s signature datil pepper flavor with shrimp tossed in a bold datil pepper sauce. In our suites, we’ve expanded that local influence by featuring datil pepper sauce as an option for wings and incorporating a seafood boil into the menu.
4. If a first-time visitor asked you for one must-try item at EverBank Stadium, what would you recommend?
If it’s someone’s first time visiting EverBank Stadium, I’d definitely recommend the Riverside Heatwave. It really represents what we’re trying to do by combining bold game-day flavors with local Jacksonville influences. The dish features shrimp tossed in a signature datil pepper sauce alongside buffalo chicken and crispy tots – all served in one box.
That said, we have several other great options fans shouldn’t miss. Our Pocket Quesadillas have become a popular grab-and-go item, and our in-house smoked half chicken is a great choice for anyone looking for authentic barbecue flavor. For guests in our premium areas, I’d highly recommend trying the datil pepper wings. The datil pepper sauce brings a unique Northeast Florida flavor that really sets them apart and gives visitors a true taste of Jacksonville.
No matter where you’re sitting, there’s something on the menu that showcases both classic stadium favorites and the local flavors that make Jacksonville unique.
5. What’s one thing fans might be surprised to learn about preparing food for game day?
One thing fans might be surprised to learn is the amount of planning, logistics and coordination that goes into preparing food for game day. It’s not just about cooking food on Sunday. It starts with receiving and managing thousands of pounds of products, ensuring inventory is accurate, and coordinating deliveries.
From there, our team has to prep, produce and distribute food across concession stands, clubs, suites and premium areas throughout the stadium. Each location has different menu items, equipment, staffing needs and service expectations, so it takes a tremendous amount of organization to make sure everything is in the right place at the right time.
By the time fans arrive, countless hours have already gone into ordering, preparation, production, transportation and setup. What may look effortless on game day is actually the result of a highly coordinated operation working behind the scenes to deliver a great experience to every guest in the stadium.