Food and Beverage
Guy Fieri is Bringing Flavortown to Life: Introducing Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate Presented by Cash App Big Game Sunday | Feb. 12, 2023, Glendale, Arizona
Last Updated on February 12, 2023 by Daily News Staff
● An Interactive Food & Music Festival Featuring DIPLO and LOCASH With Performances Powered by Stagecoach ● Taking Place Directly Adjacent to State Farm Stadium Leading Into Kickoff, the Family-Friendly Event Will Welcome 10,000 Local and Visiting Fans for the Ultimate Tailgate Experience ● Fans Can Register for Free Tickets Powered by TickPick OR Purchase VIP Tickets Now
PHOENIX (Newswire.com) – America’s favorite food personality and restaurateur is bringing Flavortown to Phoenix in partnership with Medium Rare. Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate presented by Cash App will pop up stadium-side on gameday, hosting the largest culinary event in town leading up to the championship kickoff.
Big Game Sunday | Feb. 12, 2023, Glendale, Arizona
Part food festival, part music festival, Guy’s personally curated event will feature restaurant pop-ups, A Taste of Phoenix, tons of bars, a lot of tailgate fun, plus superstar musical performances from DIPLO and LOCASH. Best of all, the event is free, courtesy of TickPick, and family-friendly. Guy will invite the city of Phoenix and traveling football fans alike to join him outside of the Big Game on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. MT for the tastiest event of the weekend. Registration for free General Admission Tickets powered by TickPick is now open. VIP Tickets and WYNN VIP Tables offer fans an elevated Flavortown experience and can be purchased now: www.GuysFlavortownTailgate.com. An exclusive offering across the entire festival, Cash App Card holders will receive 25% off their food and beverage purchases at all Tailgate locations when using their Cash App Card at checkout.
Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate is poised to be one the world’s leading culinary experiences popping up each year at Big Game Weekend. This year, the event will take place at an unprecedented festival location directly adjacent to State Farm Stadium (9191 Cardinals Way). Expecting up to 10,000 guests, Guy’s culinary offering will include 10+ restaurant pop-ups, exclusive Guy Fieri-curated concepts, A Taste of Phoenix highlighting local restaurants, The Sprouts Butcher Shop, Guy’s Trashcan Nachos presented by Cash App, and so much more. To view the entire culinary lineup, please visit www.GuysFlavortownTailgate.com.
“Flavortown is coming to Arizona for the big game. Everything you’d want in a music festival and a food festival combined to create the ultimate tailgate for 10,000. Killer food, plenty of drinks, Diplo, LOCASH … it doesn’t get much better than that. Let’s go!” Fieri says.
Guy Fieri’s Flavortown VIP Clubhouse is the ultimate way for fans to enjoy Flavortown — VIP tickets offer free food and beverage curated by Guy, front-row views of the mainstage, and more. In addition, Guy is teaming up with Wynn Nightlife to bring the ultimate Las Vegas-style VIP experience to Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate. The Wynn VIP Table Deck will offer bottle-service tables with the very best views of the mainstage, Guy’s banging food delivered directly to your table, and A+ hospitality. This year, fans can also purchase access to the TickPick VIP Lounge within the VIP Mezzanine. The TickPick VIP Lounge will offer shared-table tickets with bottle service, an expedited entrance, TickPick swag and more.
With musical performances powered by Stagecoach, California’s Country Music Festival will curate the mainstage sounds featuring a special country set from Thomas Wesley presents: Diplo and LOCASH. Born Thomas Wesley Pentz, Diplo is one of the most dynamic forces in music today. He is legend on his own; a member of the now iconic Major Lazer, which most recently released Music Is The Weapon, its first album in five years; one-third of LSD, the psychedelic supergroup with Sia and Labrinth, whose debut album has been streamed over three billion times; and half of Silk City with Mark Ronson, whose Platinum-certified “Electricity” with Dua Lipa topped charts worldwide and won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. The 10-time Grammy-nominated artist has worked closely with artists including Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Madonna and Bad Bunny; continues to helm his own long-running label Mad Decent; and tours the world over. In 2020, Diplo debuted his first country album, Thomas Wesley Chapter 1: Snake Oil — now certified Gold — and performed at Stagecoach. Joining Diplo is country music’s iconic duo LOCASH. Formerly known as LoCash Cowboys, LOCASH is an American country music duo consisting of vocalists Chris Lucas and Preston Brust. The duo has released three studio albums, charted three songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and 13 songs on the Country Airplay chart. The two-time CMT Music Award winners have continued to make history as a vocal duo with hits including “I Love This Life” and “One Big Country Song.”
Cash App is proud to present the first-ever rendition of Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate. As a brand dedicated to encouraging consumers to do more with their money, Cash App will continue to give back to its users at the Tailgate. Cash App Card holders will receive 25% off their food and beverage purchases at all Tailgate locations when using their Cash App Card at checkout. Furthermore, Tailgate fans that have used their Cash App Card at the tailgate will be able to redeem a free order of Guy’s Trashcan Nachos presented by Cash App by simply showing their receipt. Adjacent to the Guy’s Trashcan Nacho stand, Cash App will incorporate an oversized activation offering attendees comfortable seating, game-day face paint to help cheer on their favorite team, and complementary must-haves like sunscreen, koozies and more.
Sprouts Farmers Market, Phoenix’s famed healthy grocer, is scoring a touchdown with its very own on-site Sprouts Butcher Shop. Featuring 100% Grass-fed Angus Steaks, pasture-raised in the U.S., this on-site butcher shop will satisfy the hunger of meat lovers everywhere. With a local southwest-curated menu, fans will be able to stop by the Sprouts Butcher Shop to sample some of Sprouts’ delectable bites that include 100% grass-fed angus beef in carne asada tacos with Sprouts creamy smoked serrano taco sauce. For fans in the Phoenix area, stop by Sprouts today for the chance to win guaranteed tickets to the Tailgate AND a meet-and-greet with the mayor of Flavortown himself. Visit sprouts.com/flavortown to learn more.
It’s Tax Season! H&R Block, the company that is redefining the tax preparation industry, is enabling Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate fans to celebrate the tax season all Big Game weekend long. At the Tailgate, H&R Block invites guests to participate in the H&R Block Football Toss, featuring custom giveaways and more, where fans can test their football skills — right next to the Big Game stadium. Starting today, H&R Block, football, and food fans everywhere can apply for the chance to win airfare for two and VIP access to Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate to meet Guy Fieri, pick up signed swag, and taste the greatest tailgate treats of all time. To learn more, visit guysflavortowntailgate.com/hrblock.
For those looking for a boost of Essential Energy during Big Game Weekend, CELSIUS’ premium, better-for-you energy drink will be on-hand. As the official energy drink of Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate, CELSIUS will be integrated across the entire event for all guests to enjoy. CELSIUS will also produce a football-themed lounge featuring its all-new Lemon Lime flavor, seating, photo moments, and more.
Going to the Big Game? Buy no-fee game tickets on TickPick to get HELLAVA Savings and guarantee yourself a FREE General Admission ticket to Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate. TickPick, the original no-fee ticket site that guarantees the best prices on tickets to live events and the official ticket partner of Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate, is the brand powering FREE access to Big Game Weekend’s largest culinary event ever. To learn more about this exclusive offer, visit www.TickPick.com.
Rémy Martin: Since 1724, the House of Rémy Martin has produced premium spirits that consistently appeal to the world’s most discerning connoisseurs. During Big Game Weekend, Rémy Martin will debut its first national advertisement during the first quarter of the Big Game — highlighting how teamwork and the pursuit of excellence drive us forward through a never-before-seen lens for the brand.
As a proud partner of the first-ever Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate, Arizona IV Medics is excited to offer on-site treatments by licensed medical professionals to guests at the tailgate. Our services, including IVs and B12 shots, help keep fans feeling their best during Big Game Weekend. To learn more about our mobile IV therapy services, please visit our website at www.azivmedics.com.
KickStand Cocktails, the only canned cocktail dedicated to spice, is bringing the heat to Flavortown. Featuring custom KickStand bars on-site, fans will have the opportunity to experience KickStand’s four CRUSHABLE™ flavors — Roasted Jalapeño Cucumber, Smashed Raspberry Serrano, Charred Pineapple Poblano and Torched Peach Chipotle, ranging from mild, medium and hot.
The incredible VIZIO Bus is making its next stop in Flavortown. Fully equipped with VIZIO’s newest TVs and sound bars, and a sneak peek at VIZIO’s latest big announcement, guests can visit the bus to cool down, capture content in an amazing setting, and enjoy the innovation of VIZIO. If you can’t make it to Flavortown, check out the Fork & Flight Channel on VIZIO’s WatchFree+ streaming service for around-the-clock shows and features for foodies.
Santo Tequila, certified additive-free and made from the finest 100% Blue Weber Agave from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, is proud to feature its signature spirit at Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate. Founded by Sammy Hagar and Guy Fieri himself, this premium tequila will be served in three different award-winning expressions on-site at the Tailgate: Blanco, Reposado and Mezquila — a one-of-a kind mezcal/tequila blend.
About Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate
The inaugural Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate kicks off Big Game Weekend 2023 at an unprecedented location within kicking distance of the championship game. Part food, part music festival, the free and family-friendly event was designed to celebrate the local flavors of the host city and is poised to be the largest tailgating event in history. Hosted by America’s favorite restaurateur, New York Times Best Selling Author, Emmy Award-winning TV host, and one of the most influential culinary stars to date, the one-of-a-kind event is open to 10,000 locals and football fans visiting for the Big Game. Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate is produced in partnership with Medium Rare. Guy’s lauded production company Knuckle Sandwich and Medium Rare previously produced Guy’s Restaurant Reboot, a virtual live-stream benefiting the hospitality industry during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
About Medium Rare
Lauded events, experiential, and management company, Medium Rare works at the intersection of Sports & Entertainment, partnering with well-known athletes and brands to create iconic media properties, including Shaquille O’Neal’s Fun House, Daymond John’s Black Entrepreneurs Day, Guy Fieri’s Restaurant Reboot, The Sports Illustrated Awards, Rob Gronkowski’s Gronk Beach, and more. Creating and executing iconic IP and events that draw in millions of views and fans from around the world, Medium Rare also reaps industry accolades. Recognized with six Webby Awards, Medium Rare founders Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman are Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni and have graced the Pollstar Next Gen and Variety New Leaders lists in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Industry innovators, the team has overseen successful launches and NFT campaigns for groups including The Golden State Warriors and the Preakness Stakes, shattering sales records in each category. The group’s world-class production is balanced by its growing management division, overseeing careers, tours, and partnership deals for some of the most celebrated artists and athletes, including Gordo (formerly DJ Carnage), DJ Diesel aka SHAQ and Rob Gronkowski. For more info, visit www.Medium-Rare.com.
About Stagecoach
Stagecoach, produced by Goldenvoice and now in its 15th year, is the world’s premier country music festival. The three-day event held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, features a staggering mix of the genre’s biggest stars and its hottest rising acts. Named “Best Country Festival” by Billboard, Stagecoach is the bucket-list country music festival for both artists and fans alike. Past headliners have included Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, and Carrie Underwood, alongside many others. Additional activations on-site have included fan-favorite Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse, Compton Cowboys, Nikki Lane’s exclusive Stage Stop Marketplace and the Honky Tonk Dance Hall. Tickets and more information can be found at stagecoachfestival.com.
Source: Guy Feiri’s Flavortown Tailgate
Author
recipes
Lighten Up: Fresh Spring Meals That Won’t Weigh You Down
Prepare your fresh spring menu with light, flavorful dishes like shrimp pearl couscous salad and chickpea couscous—perfect for easy, satisfying meals without the heaviness.
Lighten Up: Fresh Spring Meals That Won’t Weigh You Down
(Feature Impact) Put away the heavy coats and break out the rain jackets and rubber boots – spring is here, and with it comes more than just pop-up showers and sunshine. After months of comfort foods and curling up indoors, you may be ready for lighter meals that won’t weigh you down before splashing in the puddles.
Fresh produce may first come to mind, but spring bites can also mean swapping out ingredients like regular pasta for a solution such as pearl couscous. If you’re looking to complement greens, veggies, fish or meats with light yet filling flavor, consider Success Boil-in-Bag Pearl Couscous, a small, mediterranean-style pasta that always cooks right and is ready to eat in under 7 minutes once the water boils. The BPA-free boil-in-bag simplicity makes cooking easy and foolproof: no measure, no mess, no stress.
Made with high-quality semolina wheat, it features a slightly nutty flavor on its own while absorbing the flavors of salads while retaining its density and chewy texture. It’s distinguished from traditional Moroccan couscous by its slightly larger, rounder shape and less dense, firmer consistency.
Try it with your next meal in this protein-forward Shrimp Pearl Couscous Salad, made using fresh herbs, citrus, seasoned shrimp and chickpeas for a jam-packed salad that screams spring. Never boring, the tender, seasoned couscous and shrimp, veggies and aromatic herbs can bring your family running to the kitchen after a day of play.
Or, for an even simpler dish that requires just 15 minutes in the kitchen, this Pearl Couscous and Chickpea Salad is light, bright and bursting with flavor. It brings together tender pearl couscous, crisp veggies and za’atar in every bite.
To find more light spring recipe ideas, visit SuccessRice.com.
Shrimp Pearl Couscous Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Pearl Couscous
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 can (14 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
- Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions.
- In medium bowl, toss shrimp with seasoned salt.
- In large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding pan.
- In another large pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add chickpeas and cook 8 minutes until crispy and golden, tossing often. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and salt. Toss to fully coat and cook 2 minutes.
- In large bowl, combine pearl couscous, shrimp, chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, red onion, dill, lemon juice and remaining olive oil. Toss to combine. Garnish with feta.
Pearl Couscous and Chickpea Salad
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Pearl Couscous
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon za’atar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions.
- In large bowl, combine couscous, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, parsley and za’atar.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
SOURCE:
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Food and Beverage
Survey Finds Cooking Oil Now Influences Where Many Americans Choose to Eat
A new survey suggests cooking oil is no longer just a kitchen detail. Coast Packing found that 43% of Americans say a restaurant’s cooking oil influences where they choose to eat.
Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff
New national survey data suggests cooking oil is becoming a visible factor in restaurant selection, with younger diners showing the strongest preferences.
A new national survey suggests that cooking oil is no longer just a back-of-house decision for restaurants. It is increasingly becoming part of how consumers decide where to eat.
According to new data released by Coast Packing Company, 43% of Americans say a restaurant’s cooking oil influences their dining choice. The survey, based on responses from 1,005 U.S. consumers, points to a clear shift in how ingredient decisions are perceived by the public.
The strongest signal comes from younger diners. Among adults ages 18 to 34, 52% say knowing whether a restaurant uses Beef Tallow or seed oils affects where they choose to eat. Among consumers 55 and older, that number falls to 33%.
The preference gap also shows up when diners are asked to choose between two otherwise identical restaurants. In that scenario, 31% of adults ages 18 to 34 say they would choose the restaurant using Beef Tallow, compared with 19% of adults 55 and older.
The survey also found that 24.7% of diners prefer restaurants to use traditional animal fats such as butter or Beef Tallow, while 15.6% prefer seed or vegetable oils. That suggests ingredient choices once treated mainly as operational decisions may now be influencing brand perception, menu appeal, and customer loyalty.
For restaurant operators, the findings point to a broader change in consumer behavior. Diners, especially younger ones, appear increasingly interested in how food is prepared and what ingredients are used behind the scenes. That shift aligns with wider food industry trends that emphasize transparency, flavor, and traditional preparation methods.
Coast Packing says the data builds on years of tracking consumer attitudes toward animal fats. Earlier research showed growing openness to ingredients such as Lard and Beef Tallow, particularly among younger consumers who associate them with flavor and old-school cooking. This latest survey goes a step further by suggesting those views are now influencing actual dining behavior.
The findings also match broader market signals. Whole Foods Market’s 2026 food trend forecast identified Beef Tallow as an emerging ingredient gaining visibility, while analysts continue to project growth in the global tallow sector through 2030.
Restaurants are unlikely to overhaul kitchen practices overnight. Still, the survey suggests cooking oil is becoming more than a technical ingredient choice. For a growing share of consumers, it is part of the dining experience itself.
For more information, visit Coast Packing Company.
External Links
- Back to Flavor, Back to Tallow white paper
- Email to request the full survey results
- Coast Packing Company official website
- Coast Packing TasteMap
- Healthy Fats Coalition
Visit the Food and Drink section on STM Daily News for the latest food news, beverage trends, restaurant stories, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and community-driven lifestyle coverage.
Food and Beverage
Purely Elizabeth Launches Purely Glow Granola, Its First Beauty-Inspired Limited Edition
Purely Elizabeth debuts Purely Glow Salted Vanilla Pistachio Granola, a limited-edition, beauty-inspired blend with collagen peptides and biotin, timed to New York Fashion Week.
Last Updated on April 1, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Purely Elizabeth is stepping beyond the breakfast bowl and into the “glow-from-within” conversation.
The Boulder-based natural foods brand announced the launch of Purely Glow Salted Vanilla Pistachio Granola, a limited-edition flavor that blends its signature crunchy clusters with beauty-inspired functional ingredients—including collagen peptides and biotin. The drop is timed to New York Fashion Week, signaling how quickly wellness brands are borrowing cues from beauty culture: trend-driven, ritual-focused, and built for social.
Why a “beauty granola” now?
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, you’ve seen the shift: wellness content is increasingly framed like skincare—daily routines, “non-negotiables,” and ingredients people swear by.
Purely Elizabeth points to that momentum in the announcement, noting that TikTok posts featuring collagen increased by 70% over the past year compared to the previous two years. At the same time, pistachio has had its own breakout moment, with 55,000 pistachio-related TikTok posts in the most recent year—a 104% increase over the prior 24 months.
Translation: consumers aren’t just shopping for flavor anymore. They’re shopping for function, aesthetic, and ritual.
What’s inside Purely Glow Salted Vanilla Pistachio Granola
On the flavor side, Purely Glow is positioned as an elevated, dessert-leaning blend built around a salty-sweet profile:
- Organic oats
- Roasted pistachios
- Real vanilla bean
- A hint of sea salt
From a nutrition and formulation standpoint, the granola is:
- Gluten-free
- Sweetened with coconut sugar
- Baked with coconut oil
- A good source of fiber
- Enriched with collagen peptides, coconut water powder, and biotin
Founder and CEO Elizabeth Stein says the concept comes from a personal place—bringing together “nourishing food and daily beauty rituals,” and leaning into the idea that what you eat can be part of how you care for yourself.
A collab that takes it beyond the grocery aisle
To push the launch into lifestyle territory, Purely Elizabeth is partnering with Cha Cha Matcha for a limited-time “Purely Glow” menu at all locations.
The menu includes:
- Pistachio Matcha Lattes (hot or iced)
- A Purely Glow Yogurt Parfait layered with coconut yogurt, matcha chia pudding, and topped with Purely Glow Granola
The brand is also hosting “Glow Up” pop-up events to bring the product to life:
- Cha Cha Matcha Flatiron (NYC): February 12, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., plus the weekend
- Cha Cha Matcha Beverly Hills: February 20–22
Availability and price
Purely Glow Granola launches February 12 for $7.99 and will be sold until it sells out. It’s available exclusively via:
- PurelyElizabeth.com
- TikTok Shop
- Cha Cha Matcha locations
A brand move that fits the moment
Purely Elizabeth has been around for 16 years and says it has remained the #1 granola brand in the natural channel for more than eight consecutive years—so this isn’t a reinvention as much as a strategic expansion.
The bigger takeaway: food brands are increasingly marketing like beauty brands. Limited editions. Ingredient storytelling. Collabs. Pop-ups. Social-first launches.
Purely Glow is a clean example of that playbook—built around a trending flavor (pistachio), a trending function (collagen/biotin), and a cultural moment (NYFW) that makes the product feel like more than breakfast.
For more details, visit purelyelizabeth.com.
