Chef Eddie Jackson reveals his must have versatile tailgating beverage, interview

Food Network fans know that Chef Eddie Jackson always has a way to bring a winning food spread to the table. With football season in full swing, the chef and cookbook author shared some delicious advice on pairing a favorite food with a crowd-pleasing beverage. Hungry for some tastying tailgating food and Bota Box wine?

While football fans cheer for their team’s epic win, the four quarters of the game is just one aspect of the day’s experience. Tailgating is just as important as that jaw dropping catch in the fourth quarter.

Chef Eddie is king of the tailgate. While he might host Christmas Cookie Challenge on Food Network and participate in other cooking competitions, he feels at home cooking up game day fair. It is the focus of his popular cookbook.

During our recent interview, Chef Eddie’s primary advice was quite clear. He said, “my tip for a great tailgate is to keep it simple. We do not need to focus on the crazy decorations. The focus should be on food and drinks, but keep it simple. There are plenty of creative ways to upgrade food’s flavor.”

Chefs are known for finding ways to use ingredients in multiple ways. For example, many recipes use wine as a key ingredient. Why not bring the wine to the tailgate and see how the food and beverage pairing amplifies the flavor.

Chef Eddie explained, “I’m always trying to find ways to create delicious pairings. People often think about beer at a tailgate, but wine, specifically Bota Box wine, is a great option. Not only is the packaging eco-friendly, but it is also portable. One box is like having four bottles of wine.”

While Bota Box keeps the beverages flowing, it can be the versatile pairing, too. As Chef Eddie explained, “I braised some brats in the Bota Box white wine. The citrus notes in the white wine will cut through some of that fatty, rich flavor of the bratwurst. It is an upgrade, but it is simple.”

And, chef suggests using that braising liquid to deglaze some onions, too. It adds another layer of flavor for those brats. After all, great food is all about building a depth of flavor.

Another favorite tailgating food is chicken wings. Chef Eddie said, “do not order wings. Wings are so easy to make, and you can get creative with the sauces. Using the wine, I created a sweet and smoky sauce. The red blend with the wings makes for a great pairing. Even though people think of beer, wine goes well with the chickens wings as a food and beverage pairing.”

While chef used the red blend for his chicken wing recipe, he does think that both an approachable white wine and the red blend are perfect for a tailgate. Whether it is the wings, brats, or some sliders, the wines are versatile enough to pair with almost any food. Plus, the Bota Box keeps up to 30 days after being opened. No need to power through that whole container because it can be used for the next tailgate. It might become the lucky beverage for the season.

Speaking of the current NFL season, Chef Eddie had some thoughts about the current standings. “I’ve been telling people this for a while now. This season has been fun. It has been up and down. There have been some teams, like the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, who haven’t been good teams, are making it exciting. You don’t want to see the same team making it to the Super Bowl every year. I’m a 49ers fan, but I’m always rooting for the underdog in my heart.”

While the teams on top of the division can change, Chef Eddie believes one thing is always a winner, chicken wings on a tailgate. It might be his lucky food.

And, what is the one thing that Chef Eddie Jackson said that should never be at a tailgate, a knife and fork. He’s all about the picking up food with your hands at a tailgate. And, don’t forget to lean forward a little to avoid spilling on that favorite jersey.

Ready to upgrade your tailgate? What is your go to food and beverage pairing for a tailgate?