Post Event: Taste of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank hosted the eighth annual Taste of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday evening, Sept. 9, 2015.

More than 500 guests in attendance donated funds to provide nearly 700,000 meals to support those in our community facing hunger.

“Energy and generosity filled the Pro Football Hall of Fame tonight as community members rallied to commend the legends of the game and support hunger-relief efforts,” said Dan Flowers, president & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “Thank you for choosing to invest in us tonight, and for believing all families in our community deserve access to healthy, nourishing meals.”

Hall of Fame Enshrinees attended the event to mingle with guests and sign autographs. Hall of Fame inductee and past Cleveland Browns player Paul Warfield was a popular Enshrinee with guests. He was joined by Dave Robinson, Anthony Muñoz, Elvin Bethea and Jack Youngblood

This year’s event highlighted delectable cuisine and beverages provided by more than 20 local and national vendors. Some of the area’s top chefs came together for the Foodbank and also to compete for the title of Taste of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Grand Champion.

Guests walked from table to table sampling each purveyor’s dishes from: Canton Brewing Company, Chocolates by Erin, Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant, Dunkin’ Donuts, The Galaxy Restaurant & Banquet Center, Georgio’s Grille, Hudson’s Restaurant and Catering, Kosar’s Wood-Fired Grill, Main Street Gourmet, Meeker Wines distributed by Esber Beverage, Pav’s Creamery, Pepsi Food Service, The Rail, SHY Cellars, Table 6 Kitchen + Bar, Troutman Vineyards & Winery, University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, The Winery at Wolf Creek and The Wooster Inn.

SHY Cellars was crowned the Grand Champion and will represent the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Foodbank at the national Taste of the NFL event, held on the eve of the Super Bowl in 2017. Chef Sherry Schie and her team won the event for the third consecutive year by serving braised barbeque boneless short ribs with smoky garlic mashed potatoes.

Meeker Vineyards from California was the featured winery at the event. Molly Meeker, co-owner of Meeker Vineyards, originally from Youngstown, was present to mingle with guests and offer wine tasting tips.

Taste of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a partnership between NFL teams and food banks across the country. Local events are held in NFL cities throughout the year and a national Taste of the NFL event is held on the eve of the Super Bowl. The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank partners with the Pro Football Hall of Fame.