Taste of the NFL

Past Hall of Fame enshrinees and some of the area’s top chefs will be on hand at the second annual Taste of the NFL on Sept. 29 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The event will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and the eight regions it serves.

Attendees can taste samples created by local chefs, breweries and wineries, as well as bid on items in the live and silent auctions.

Mark Mitchell, manager of marketing and communications for the food bank, said several Hall of Famers are expected to attend the event. Last year’s attendees included Jim Kelly, Jack Youngblood, Joe DeLamielleure, Elvin Bethea and LeRoy Kelly. The first-time event raised $60,000.

“We have an increased need this year, so our goal is $90,000,” Mitchell said.

Guests can vote for their favorite chef at the event. The winner will represent the area at the 2011 Super Bowl.

“One of the unique things about our event is that we are tied to the national Taste of the NFL,” explained Mitchell, adding that last year’s winner, Chef Brandt Evans of the Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern, will attend the 2010 event in Miami. Evans prepared braised beef short ribs with Ohio corn and smoked tomato spoonbread.

Restaurants committed to this year’s fundraiser so far are:

Bistro On Main

Blue Canyon Kitchen and Tavern

Chronicles Restaurant & Blue Olive Jazz Club

Fedeli Restaurant

Georgio’s Grille

The Harbor Inn

Robert J. Events & Catering

VegiTerranean

Taste of the NFL

Tuesday, Sept. 29

5:30-9 p.m.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton

Tickets are available in person at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

350 Opportunity Pkwy., Akron

Or by calling (330) 535-6900

or visit www.akroncantonfoodbank.org.

Tickets are $150 for general admission or $250 for VIP.

VIP tickets, of which 80 are available, include:

Opportunity to meet enshrinees in VIP Locker Room

VIP gift

Listing in event program