Tips for a Powerhouse Super Bowl Party
By Chef Robert Irvine

I only recently started following American football in a serious way in the last year, so I'm really looking forward to this year's Super Bowl. You should plan your Super Bowl get-together the way a team prepares for the game itself. Get scouting reports, know your opposition inside out and leave nothing to chance!

Scouting Report. Scout out the place where you are going to hold the party. Make sure the TV is big enough and can be seen from all angles. Make sure you have enough seating and table space for drinks, snacks and dishes. Tray tables are a must. Have a lot of napkins, but not necessarily coasters.

• Keys to Victory: Plenty of trash bags; lots and lots of small plates and dishwasher not running during the game.

Know Your Opposition, aka, the Guests. A Super Bowl party is not your mother's tea party. These people are coming to yell and scream, lose or win money and be fed. They are going to expect to be fed from the time the endless pre-game starts until the final whistle, and you've got to know that going in.

• Feed them in waves. Think snacks and drinks first, chips, popcorn and the like. Second wave, throw in some hot finger foods, like chicken wings and baby back ribs. Refresh the snacks. Then big hearty dishes in large pots like chili, sausage and meatballs in marinara sauce, beef carbonnade, even bouillabaisse. Have lots of fresh rolls and bread and butter on hands in big bowls. Put out a platter of cheeses and freshly cut vegetables for the vegetarians, who will probably be in short supply.


• Keys to Victory: Don't run out of food; easy on the drinks. Its okay to run out of beer late in the second half and switch to coffee and soft drinks.

Preparation: Lack of preparation can be the death knell for your Super Bowl dreams. Prepare!

• Keys to Victory:


• Create your menu, relying mainly on big pots of food and hot finger foods, chips and popcorn.


• Shop the day before, ideally at a big wholesale store. Remember paper plates, small bowls, "sporks" and napkins.


• Cook the day before. I cannot stress strongly enough — prep and cook the day before game day as much as possible or you will not be able to have any fun. Marinade your wings and ribs. Cook your chili or beef Carbonnade or bouillabaisse the day before — the flavors will actually improve overnight.


• Clean up and count your winnings!