Q. I am having a party for the World Series. We are hosting about 25-40 people (not sure how many will show up) and I would like it to be fun and easy. Can you tell me some fun foods we can make to make this special? Thanks for any suggestions and for your attention.
- Conrad L.
Everyone knows about Super Bowl parties with dual team themes, but we aren't going that way. Just focus on the Phillies and offer strictly Philly food. Besides, what would Tampa Bay food be - dolphin?
When planning a Phillies party, you have some pressure to live up to Citizens Bank Park, which was voted as Best Ballpark Food in a survey of Food Network viewers and voted No. 1 by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals as America's most vegetarian-friendly ballpark.
Here are some suggestions for feeding your World Series party guests. You'll notice that there is an obvious omission: the ballpark hot dog. If I'm going to serve hot dogs, then I'm just going to have a hot dog and beer party. It could be fun and easy in that comfortable-as-a-worn-out-glove kind of way, but it wouldn't be very memorable. The following ideas would rev it up a little, by pairing certain foods and drinks with specific Phillies players. Here are some of my match-ups.
Tastykakes: Joe Blanton. Hey, he's a man after my own heart (he shops at the Big Man shops, too).
Soft pretzels with a variety of mustards: Jimmy Rollins, aka J-Roll. Because if anyone has some good spicy mustard in him, it's got to be J-Roll.
Build-Your-Own-Cheesesteak Sandwiches: Ryan Howard. If for no other reason than he's 6 feet 4 inches, 260 pounds, and if I ran into him on the street, I would refer to him as Mr. Howard.
Yuengling Marinated Chicken Wings: Jamie Moyer. Because even though he's been around for awhile (like Yuengling), he's still one of the best.
Chips and Dips: Pat Burrell. They will absolutely go with any meal, however let's face it, they've been a meal.
Shoo Fly Tart or Pie: Brad Lidge. He can nail a fly in the kitchen from the den 49 out of 49 times with his fastball.
Create-Your-Own-Hoagie: Italian-Chase Utley. If anyone was the opposite of a ham, this is the guy. Add some hot and sweet peppers - Jason Werth. When his bat gets hot, his swing is really sweet. Put mayonnaise on it - Shane Victorino. Don't go thinking it's sacrilegious, because when it works, it really works.
Basset's Ice Cream: Cole (Cold) Hamels. It gets cold, very cold, for the other team's lineup when he is serving up.
