Tailgating Across America Featured In New Travel Channel Series

Tailgating happens at football games and other sporting events, concerts, festivals, fairs and just about any other place where Americans can set up a grill to celebrate before an event. At Super Bowl XLVII, coming up on February 3 in New Orleans, you can bet there will be plenty of tailgaters on hand. Chronicling tailgating all over the U.S., the Travel Channel has a new show coming up that promises to be a must-see for motivated fans who just can’t get enough pre-game hoopla.

The original Travel Channel series, “Tailgate Takeover,” will premiere this summer with 13 half-hour episodes hosted by food expert Adam Richman. Showing how some of the best NFL tailgaters party all football season, the show is set to detail some of the most amazing, over-the-top efforts by fans across the U.S.

“Travel Channel fan-favorite and food expert Adam Richman has crisscrossed the country sampling the most delicious and iconic food our nation has to offer. Now he’s back, to takeover tailgating like never before,” said Laureen Ong, President, Travel Channel in a TV By The Numbers report.

In parking lots of high schools, colleges and sports venues around the country, tailgating can start early and last as long as the actual event itself. Those planning tailgate parties have plans in place months in advance and come packed heavy with gear promoting their favorite team logo and colors.Can’t wait until summer? Looking for additional content for your own tailgating effort? Watch/record the Travel Channel’s Super Bowl Tailgate Takeover on Wednesday, January 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. a one-hour special featuring the most incredible tailgate experiences leading up to Super Bowl XLVII.

One of the best tailgating parties in the U.S. happens in Kansas City as we see Travel Channel alum Anthony Bourdain checking out the scene in this video:




[Photo Credit- Flickr user richelleantipolo]

Vanilla Ice appears on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food Nation tonight

On the Travel Channel’s Man v Food Nation, host Adam Richman explores the “big food” offerings of a different American city each week before facing off against a pre-existing eating challenge at a local restaurant. On tonight’s episode, Richman visits Key West and the Florida Keys and got a surprise visit from host of DIY Network’s The Vanilla Ice Project, Rob Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice).

In each episode of Man vs Food Nation, food challenges may involve hot and spicy, unusual, famous or large quantities of food. Richman finds places in each city to indulge his appetite and visits local landmark, interacting with local restaurateurs and giving a brief insight to the local community.

Tonight Richman heads over to Key West’s Hogfish Bar & Grill to taste a local favorite sandwich dubbed ‘The Killer Hogfish.’ To top it off, a slice of Key Lime Pie is in order so Richman heads to the Blue Heaven restaurant, thought to be the best Key Lime Pie in town.

Rapper/Home Remodeling expert Vanilla Ice, a Florida resident and host of DIY Network’s The Vanilla Ice Project, surprises Adam at Blue Heaven and explains why the Florida Keys is home to the best Key Lime Pie.

Then it’s time for the challenge and Richman heads to the Key Largo Conch House for the Conch Republic Fritter Contest: eat the most Conch fritters in 15 minutes and be crowned the king or queen of the Conch.

This episode airs tonight, July 6th at 9:00p e/p on the Travel Channel and would make great homework for anyone planning a visit to Key West any time soon.

Flickr photo by wonker