Toronto -- For the first time ever two Canadian Chefs have been invited to join the prestigious Taste of the NFL (TNFL). Mani Borg, Executive Chef, JW's Steakhouse and Murray Hall, Executive Chef, Marriott Toronto Airport Hotel will be joined by Canadian NFL'er Brett Romberg in representing Canada. The crew will join chefs and players from all 32 NFL teams to dish up great regional food while raising money for the fight against hunger.
"Chef Hall and I are honoured to bring a taste of Canadian cuisine to this exciting event," said Mani Borg. "We are looking forward to meeting chefs from across the United States and sharing some tricks of the trade and supporting a cause close to our hearts."
Known as the Party with a Purpose®, Taste of the NFL began on the eve of Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis in 1992 and has grown to one of the premier events at Super Bowl. Renowned chefs, past and present NFL legends and a host of community members volunteer their time to this worthy cause, which takes place Saturday, February 4, 2006 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan. In the past 14 years, TNFL has raised more than $5.7 million (US) for hunger-related causes.
Mani Borg discovered a passion for cooking in Europe, apprenticing at some of the finest hotels and restaurants including the world-renowned Savoy in London. Using only the finest ingredients and influences from his travels, Chef Borg's philosophy is all about simplicity - "let good food speak for itself". Toronto Downtown Marriott Eaton Centre along with Chef Borg have been involved with Second Harvest for over eight years during which time they've supported endeavors such as the Lunch Money Day campaign, the annual reading of Dickens' Christmas Carol, Toronto Taste, and weekly food donations.
Inspired by working alongside an abundance of international chefs, Murray Hall's hands on approach, culinary creativity and expertise in the kitchen ensures a feast of flavors awaits his guests. Chef Hall has recently received his "Canadian Chef de Cuisine" papers - the highest level of culinary achievement in Canada. Together Chef Hall and Chef Borg will be serving their creation; Crusted Artic Char with Sauteed Onions and Fennel over Mushroom Goat Cheese Ravioli with a pomegranate reduction.
"We want to take this opportunity to thank Chef Hall and Chef Borg for giving their time to such a worthy cause," said Jay Sweeney, Director of Events and Fan Development, NFL Canada. "This event is an important part of our commitment to highlighting Super Bowl XL as a truly international event."
TNFL highlights a series of NFL-themed events in Windsor and Detroit designed to add Canadian content to Super Bowl XL. The Canadian centrepiece is the Rbk Fan Zone, an all-ages interactive football theme park including interactive games, clinics, NFL player and cheerleader appearances, autograph sessions, a Canadian broadcast centre and Pro Football Hall of Fame memorabilia. The complete list of NFL Canada sanctioned Super Bowl event is available on www.NFLCanada.com.
About NFL Canada
NFL Canada, a division of NFL International, services the marketing, licensing, retail, broadcast, media and developmental requirements of the NFL in Canada. Visit us on the web at www.NFLCanada.com.
About Taste of the NFL
Taste of the NFL is the Party With a Purpose. The purpose is to raise awareness and dollars in the fight against hunger for thousands of families who struggle every day to simply feed their children. The nation's finest chefs as well as NFL legends, both past and present, volunteer their time along with the best community citizens in dozens of cities, the Super Bowl Host committees and the NFL in support of hunger relief efforts throughout the country and in the host communities. Tickets to the Taste of the NFL can be purchase by calling (952) 836-7621 or visiting www.tasteofthenfl.com.
About Second Harvest (Toronto)
Every day, Second Harvest picks up donated, high-quality fresh food, which would otherwise go to waste, and delivers that food to social service programs in Toronto. Second Harvest currently provides food for 13,000 meals a day to children in breakfast programs, seniors on fixed incomes, women fleeing domestic abuse, psychiatric patients, homeless people, and many others who have fallen on hard times. Last year, more than 5 million pounds of food was distributed to 230 social service programs in the Greater Toronto Area. For more information, please visit www.secondharvest.ca.
