The New England Patriots may not be playing in Super Bowl XLVII, but the Pats will still have a presence in New Orleans on Super Bowl weekend — it will just be off the field and involve more food than touchdowns.
One of 34 hand-selected chefs, Steve DiFillippo, the owner of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse and Avila Modern Mediterranean, will represent New England at the Taste of the NFL’s “Party With a Purpose.”
This non-profit organization combines the best chefs in the country with the best of the NFL to support hunger relief. The money raised will benefit The Greater Boston Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in New England.
The organization was founded in 1992 and the NFL’s “Kick Hunger Challenge” has since raised more than $14 million for food banks around the country. The food and wine tasting event may be an annual affair, but DiFillippo shows his charitable side all year long by hosting events locally alongside the Patriots to raise awareness and donations.
“We look for every opportunity to educate our guests and friends about this amazing cause,” said DiFillippo. “For all of us heading down to this year’s big event, it is not only about one night, it is a year-long effort to work towards kicking hunger.”
This year, DiFillippo set out to raise $25,000 before even arriving in New Orleans. In September of 2012, Davio’s hosted a Taste of the NFL kickoff event and between celebrity chefs and former NFL players, was able to raise over $6,000. Davio’s also hosted a number of cooking classes taught by their own chefs with ticket sale proceeds going toward DiFillippo’s goal.
On the eve of Super Bowl XLVII, DiFillippo will participate once again in the amazing event that will include wine pairings, approximately 45,000 tastings from the best chefs in the country and a silent auction that will feature sports memorabilia and getaways.
