Score points for putting together a delicious tailgate party

Tailgate party with ease

A tailgate party, ahead of your favorite college football team taking to the field, is a treasured past-time from late summer through fall. The first question any party planner wants to hear when they invite you is “What can I bring?”

Your Market of Choice has everything that party planners and guests need to play their part on the tailgate party team, including fresh grab-and-go foods from your Market Kitchen to delicious snacks. We also shelve an extensive selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Divvy up who’s bringing what, and the party will come together easily. Check out our Weekly Specials online as you make your shopping list.

Market Kitchen & Bakery specialties

An assortment of salads is always a good go-to for a party. Our Market Kitchen offers seasonal customer favorites, as well as new flavor combinations to keep things interesting. Try our popular Deviled Egg Potato Salad, a classic party salad with the mustardy flavor of deviled eggs; or Paleo Kaleo Salad, a nutritional, paleo-friendly combination of kale, cauliflower, red cabbage, almonds, pumpkin seeds and golden raisins; or try our Italian Salami Pasta Salad for a flavor-packed, satisfying combo. And our Creamy Pesto Artichoke Tortellini Salad will knock any garlic-lovers socks off.

Beyond salads, your Market Kitchen prepares many portable, snackable appetizers that are ready to go. Or pre-order (allow for 24 to 48 hours ahead of your party) one of our entertainment platters, in four varieties: Meat & Cheese, Veggie Crudité, Fresh Fruit or Petite Sandwiches.

If you’re bringing breads or desserts, stop by your Market Bakery for a delicious selection of fresh baked goods: bagels, biscuits, rustic baguettes to pair with cheeses, as well as cookies, muffins, jam bars, cupcakes and more to satisfy dessert cravings.

Discoveries at the Market

Want to bring something new to the party? Each month, our Market of Choice team discovers new and truly amazing products and shares their finds with you. You’ll find selections from across all your Market’s departments, from locally made salsas and condiments, chips and crackers to highly recommended beverages.

Or discover the many fine goodies in your Market’s Cheese Department, from sliced salami to cheeses from around the world – goat-milk cheese, sheep-milk cheese and our own house cheeses, like House Double Crème Brie – are simply too good to pass up for the party. For olive fans, we offer premium French, Italian, Greek and Spanish olives, just right for the charcuterie board you’re planning.

Maybe you’re the guest who wants to make something from scratch. No problem. Your Market has an excellent collection of online recipes. Some suggestions that would be great for a tailgate party: Kurzhal Family Kickin’ Pickles: Bloody Mary; Newks Hot Sauces: Newks Hot Guacamole; Pico de Gallo and Four Variations; Pork Birria Tacos; Khalsa Salsa: Samosa Puffs with Mango Habanero Salsa; Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Browned Butter Brownies.

If you’re on beverage duty, stop by your Market’s Beer & Wine Department and ask about the latest in craft brews and wines, including pear perries from Blossom Barn Cidery, hard apple ciders from 2 Towns Ciderhouse, ginger beer from Regatta Beverages, or sparkling wine by A to Z Wineworks. Or try a CBD-infused beverage, from Zentopia or Vybes, among others.

For those not planning to imbibe, your Market has many options, from Lyre’s Zero Proof Spirits and other Zero Proof brands, kombuchas, sparkling waters, still waters, natural sodas and juices – you name it.

Keep your Market finds cool in a cooler, and when you’re ready to set up at the tailgate party, have all that you need to make your part of the party go smoothly: serving utensils, extra napkins and plates, extra cups, etc.

If members of your tailgating team have dietary restrictions, ask your Market team member about ingredients or check out the many helpful tags throughout the store informing buyers of how a product fits specific lifestyle choices.

For the host or hostess, our Home & Gift Department can’t be beat for eclectic, locally made cards and last-minute gifts. Go, team!