NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2026 — Get ready for an unforgettable culinary and gridiron adventure that scores big for students in need! Taste of the NFL returns to the Bay Area with an extraordinary fusion of world-class cuisine, gridiron greats, and purposeful giving – all dedicated to GENYOUth’s critical work to help end student hunger and foster nutrition security nationwide.
Presented by PepsiCo, this landmark event transforms Super Bowl LX Weekend into an opportunity for impact. Food and football fans are invited to join Taste of the NFL on February 7, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PST at The Hibernia in San Francisco for an evening where every bite fuels a brighter future for children across America. Tickets are available now at www.TasteoftheNFL.com or via Ticketmaster.
San Francisco’s reputation as a global food capital takes center stage as Taste of the NFL showcases the region’s extraordinary culinary diversity. Event hosts Chefs Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Lasheeda Perry, Mark Bucher, and Sayat and Laura Ozyilmaz – along with special guest chefs Cat Cora and Tyler Florence – lead a powerhouse roster of over 20 acclaimed national and local chefs whose artistry has defined dining in the Bay Area and across the country. Featured restaurants include Abacá, Al Pastor Papi, Café Sebastian, Cocobreeze, Dalida, Doppio Zero, Eylan, Maria Isabel, Meski, Miller & Lux, Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, Nopa, Parche, Shoji, 7 Adams, Reem’s California, Señor Sisig, Stateline Road Smokehouse, Tarts de Feybesse, and Willi’s Seafood. The Sonoma County Winegrowers will uncork the locally sourced flavors of nearby wine country, offering curated tastings and expert pairings that showcase the region’s world-class vintages.
PepsiCo brings additional culinary firepower with Chef Steven Dominguez, Associate Research Chef and Culinary Lead, and Chef Wiley E. Bates III, PepsiCo Culinary Senior Principal Scientist, alongside celebrated talents including Chef Eric Adjepong – the Ghanaian-American culinary trailblazer and PepsiCo Foods Culinary Advisory Board member known for championing West African cuisine’s profound influence on American food culture.
Showcasing the distinct flavors and vibrant diversity of the Bay Area’s own culinary community, Chef Antonio Inguscio of Doppio Zero, and Chef Miguel Escobedo of Al Pastor Papi, as well as Founder/CEO Evan Kidera and Gil Payumo of Señor Sisig, will each present their signature dishes. In addition to the PepsiCo Foundation’s support for GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger grants, the Foundation will award community impact grants to local nonprofit organizations working to combat food insecurity in the Bay Area, informed by the chefs’ deep community ties and shared commitment to giving back. The effort is part of PepsiCo’s longstanding focus on driving tangible impact in the places where its employees and customers live and work, and the PepsiCo Foundation’s work to expand access to nutritious food, helping build a future where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Additional culinary artisans from partners including Doritos, Frito-Lay, Quaker Oats Tostitos, Hellmann’s, Peet’s Coffee, Lifeway, and See’s Candies will round out this spectacular gastronomic lineup. More than 30 NFL Legends will bring gridiron star power to the evening, including Doug Flutie, Kyle Rudolph, Bryant Young, and Mark “Mighty Mouse” McMillian (pulling double duty as both NFL great and chef representing Grillin’ McMillian).
Beyond the culinary experience, guests will enjoy exclusive autograph sessions with NFL legends and greats, plus thrilling auction opportunities featuring Super Bowl LX tickets and coveted sports memorabilia. Each attendee will receive special Taste of the NFL gift bags courtesy of Lay’s and a commemorative football for player and chef autographs, presented by NFL Extra Points Visa® Credit Card, while a distinctive fundraising “lunchbox” wall will offer another way to support the cause. Plus, all guests will have the opportunity for a unique San Francisco Trolley car photo opportunity hosted by Rice-A-Roni.
The Guests’ Choice program, presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, invites attendees to vote for their favorite dish from Taste of the NFL restaurant chefs – with the winning chef taking home $500. The Doug Flutie Band headlines the evening’s entertainment, with surprise performances throughout the night, and Extra Food, a local Bay Area food bank, will support food recovery efforts.
Every element of Taste of the NFL drives support for GENYOUth’s unwavering commitment to eliminating food insecurity among America’s students. Net proceeds increase access to healthy school meals by providing essential meal equipment packages to K-12 school nutrition programs serving at-risk youth throughout the Bay Area and all 32 NFL Club markets across the country.
Steven Williams, Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman, PepsiCo, said: “PepsiCo is proud of our continued partnership with GENYOUth through Taste of the NFL, an event that demonstrates how we turn purpose into meaningful action. Through this program and the work of the PepsiCo Foundation, we can help ensure that students have consistent access to nutritious meals and the resources they need to thrive. We are honored to stand alongside GENYOUth in the fight against food insecurity and to help every child reach their full potential.”
Ann Marie Krautheim, M.A., R.D., L.D., CEO of GENYOUth, emphasized the urgency: “When one in five American children doesn’t know where their next meal will come from, we cannot afford to wait. Schools serve as nutritional lifelines for 30 million students nationwide, providing healthy meals including milk, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Our partners – especially the NFL and mission-aligned supporters like PepsiCo – recognize that school meal programs can transform lives. Together, we’re working to ensure the only hunger a child experiences is the hunger to learn.”
“Taste of the NFL is one of the most exciting traditions of Super Bowl weekend, bringing together the best of football and food for a purpose that truly matters,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL EVP of Events, International and Club Business. “As we celebrate Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region known for its incredible culinary scene, we’re proud to unite fans, chefs, and NFL Legends to make a lasting impact off the field. By leveraging our biggest moment of the year, we’re helping advance GENYOUth’s mission to ensure youth have access to the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”
“We are so proud to partner with GENYOUth, said Culinary Institute of America President Michiel Bakker. “Today’s chefs are called on to do much more than cook. They are called to be conscious culinary leaders – to lead with empathy and to care for their communities. CIA faculty, students, and alumni embody those qualities both in and outside the kitchen, and we are honored to have several of them participate in Taste of the NFL and help further stem the tide of food insecurity in children.”
Taste of the NFL is supported by the NFL, presenting sponsor PepsiCo, Rice-A-Roni, Lay’s, and GENYOUth End Student Hunger partners including Cintas, Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation, Bread Financial, NFL Extra Points Visa® Credit Card, PNC Bank, Hellmann’s, Best Foods, Peet’s Coffee, Lifeway Kefir, Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines, the Bay Area Host Committee, Sonoma County Winegrowers, FARE, Culinary Institute of America (CIA), National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), FEED, San Francisco Chronicle, NBC Bay Area, Area De La Bahia, NBC Sports, and Yelp.