Chef Tim Love brings a taste of Texas to Taste of the NFL, interview

While Super Bowl week is full of activities prior to the big game, the Taste of the NFL looks beyond the gridiron to bring flavor to the annual event. As the celebrated chefs gather to feed guests delectable dishes, the food is only part of the story for this gathering. During a recent conversation with Chef Tim Love, he shared why this event has an impact beyond the table. As he serves a taste of Texas to all the guests, he hopes they leave with willingness to serve the goal to reduce food insecurity across communities.

From his numerous restaurants Ft. Worth area restaurants to his appearances on food television, Chef Tim Love is well known for his Texas influenced flavors. While the smoker can impart nuanced flavors in many of his dishes, the low and slow method is only one part of his enticing repertoire.

For many years, Chef Love has supported the Taste of the NFL event during Super Bowl week. The culinary event brings together well-known chefs, like Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, and many other chefs to raise awareness of the plight of food insecurity and to raise funds for GENYOUth, the benefiting organization.

Recently, FoodSided spoke to Tim Love ahead of the event. While he would have preferred for the Dallas Cowboys to be playing for the Lombardi trophy, he is excited to bring the Taste of the NFL back to its full form this year. Chef Love believes Taste of the NFL is the “one of the premiere events during Super Bowl week.” From raising a “ton of money” to bringing together all the chefs, this year’s event is set to be a huge celebration.

At last year’s event, Chef Love won the competition with his dish and he is ready with another impressive dish to feed all the guests. Although there will not be a best dish competition this year, his offering will surely be a favorite.

Chef Love will be serving Deviled Gulf Coast Blue Crabs with Lonesome Dove Hot Sauce. While some people might expect the Texas chef to serve some barbecue or smoked dish, he admitted that it is a little hard to bring a smoker all the way to Arizona.

Still, Chef Love explained why this dish is a wonderful representation of Texas. He said, “the Texas Gulf Coast is really amazing. I used to go catch these crabs with my brothers and sisters. We would bring them back to our little motorhome. I was the youngest of seven kids and we used to cram into that motorhome. We would go down to the coast and spend three or four days at the beach and catch these crabs. My mom would make these deviled crabs. I’m really excited about this dish. We make a fresh hot sauce and it is a spectacular dish.”

While the flavor will get everyone talking, there is another reason why Chef Love picked this dish. He said, “this dish is easy to carry around. At these taste around events, it can get a little difficult. You always want to make something that people can eat.”

This dish captures a simple sentiment. He said, “I wanted to bring something that representative of Texas but a little bit different.”

Even though some people gravitate to the idea that Texas is only smoked meat and big steaks, Chef Love wants to offer a different perspective. He said, “Texas is a big state with a lot of bounty and we like to show it off in every way when we can. Anytime that I can do a little seafood, I like to do it. We want to see all the food and flavors that the state offers.”

As guests feast on all the delicious bites, it is more than just an opportunity to eat. The event raises funds for GENYOUth’s commitment to end student hunger. While Chef Love supports many charities, he said that “this one is close to my heart because it really does make an impact. When we go to a school, we do change their lives.”

That direct impact draws people to support the charity. It makes the cause tangible and encourages people to continue to fight for the cause.

While the Taste of the NFL event is all about the good times, raising awareness and funds to fight food insecurity, and celebrating the end of the football season, there is one thing that Chef Tim Love will not be doing this weekend. He cannot cheer for the Eagles. Even though he shared that his aunt lives in Philadelphia and they might pull out a victory, he will not be flying with the NFC team.

As everyone gathers around to watch the gridiron battle, people can join the cause behind the Taste of the NFL. Everyone can do their part to fight food insecurity in their own community. Charity starts at the home table by a willingness to put others first.