Food Network and Delaware North Companies Sportservice are working together to kick off the 2012 NFL season by introducing new menu items and bringing back their most popular concession offerings at several stadiums across the country. One of the signature items will be the Food Network Signature Sloppy Joe, which will be served by Sportservice concessions at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, Soldier Field in Chicago, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Metlife Stadium in New York/New Jersey and the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

The Sloppy Joe features ground beef and slab bacon chunks slow-cooked with tomatoes, topped with shredded pepper jack cheese and fried onions. They’ll be served with corn chips and a pickle.

Each of the stadiums will also feature a local Sloppy Joe inspired by the flavors of the region, such as the Chicago Sloppy Joe, which will be topped with giardiniera and provolone cheese. Customers can also Build Their Own Sloppy Joe with a choice of toppings, including pico de gallo, kettle cooked potato chips, sour cream and roasted red peppers.

Sergei Kuharsky, the general manager of Food Network’s new business enterprises, said “For many Food Network fans, football and food go hand in hand in defining an ultimate game day. Our Delaware North Companies partnership allows us to create culinary offerings intended to enhance the stadium experience, connecting through menu items that explore a variety of tastes.”

Like the last two seasons, Sportservice will offer guests in the suites and premium areas of its NFL locations a variety of original dishes created in Food Network Kitchens. The food, which is exclusive for football fans, the menus will feature dishes such as Buffalo Chicken Marconi and Cheese, Irish Winter Salad, Short Rib and Biscuit Cobbler and Bacon Sloppy Joes.

Written by: Karen Benardello