This May, Dairy MAX proudly supported the 15th annual Taste of the Cowboys with events that both supported the North Texas Food Bank and reinforced with our role as the Official Nutrition Partner of the Dallas Cowboys. These events enabled us to tell a stronger story; and allowed the goodness of dairy to be further utilized, featured, and promoted.
During the Taste of the Cowboys weekend, Dairy MAX raised over $11,000 for the North Texas Food Bank children’s feeding programs, which equates to 33,000 meals for food insecure families across North Texas.
Taste of the Cowboys Challenge
Over 130 guests joined Dairy MAX for the 2nd annual Taste of the Cowboys Challenge at The Star in Frisco. Five student teams from Dallas area high school culinary programs showcased their talents in a one-hour, hybrid Iron-Chef and Chopped-inspired competition to create a three-course meal featuring an appetizer, entrée and dessert using foods commonly available through the North Texas Food Bank.
The competition highlighted delicious takes on healthy foods, with bonus points awarded for the use of dairy. Each team was coached by a “Chef Mentor” from Legends Hospitality that served as their lifeline during the competition. Adding to the fun this year, student teams competed against a “Celebrity Team” of Dallas Cowboys players led by the team’s Director of Football Communications.
The competition was emceed by Dallas Cowboys Sideline Reporter, Kristi Scales who actively engaged the competitors and special guests. The meals were evaluated by a panel of judges that included representatives from Legends Hospitality, the North Texas Food Bank, and dairy farmer and Dairy MAX board member Nova Schouten.
All student teams received grant funds to advance the school’s culinary programs, including a $5,000 grand prize going to John Horn High School in Mesquite, TX funded by the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation.
Additionally, Dairy MAX collected donations for Give a Gallon, to provide fluid milk to food banks in the area.
The media helped amplify our message, by sharing stories about the Taste Challenge on Dallas Forth-Worth station FOX 4, and on the NFL Network.
Taste of the Cowboys Tailgate
The Dallas Cowboys also hosted the 15th annual Taste of the Cowboys tailgate at The Star in Frisco. The tailgate featured over two dozen chefs from the Dallas-Fort Worth area offering tastings of specialty menu items in one of the largest fundraising efforts for the North Texas Food Bank.
As an extension of the Taste Challenge, Dairy MAX hosted the first-ever #DairyAmazing QuesOff competition. The QuesOff was a competition featuring three unique queso recipes from the executive chefs of The Star, Cowboys Club, and AT&T Stadium. The winning recipe “Gridiron Queso” was then demoed on stage with Chef Brad Alders of Cowboys Club along with Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos Legend, DeMarcus Ware.
These events are a true testament to the strength of Dairy MAX’s partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, and a strong win for dairy. Click here to learn more about Dairy MAX partnerships.
