Phils serve up new phood-related novelties

Anyone with a burning passion for the Phillies can now brand it into burgers, scorch it into paninis or waffles, bake it into a cake, or press it into cookies.

With a big fat capital P.

As in a Phillies logo for everyone to see.

The team's new roster of novelty items includes a bunch of things that fans can sink their teeth into, said Francis Winkey, manager of the team's Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies popcorn-maker ($59.99) won't brand each kernel, but Team Branders ($22 now, reduced to $15 by Opening Day) will char a "P" on your burgers, or "Phillies" on hot dogs or sausages. Or use either for chicken. They're small slabs of heavy metal that get heated on a grill. Drop the food on top, and the logo gets singed in.

The electric Sandwich and Waffle Grill ($59), puts the P in panini. Call it a cousin to the Phillies toaster ($45), introduced last year.

Protect the grill with the new grill cover ($59) - or protect the food with a Phillies fly swatter ($8).

Cookies can not only sport the logo letter, but a glove or a complete-with-stitches baseball design, with the Cookie Cutter Set ($12).

A simple oven-safe form ($20) can be used to bake cakes in the shape of a Phillies cap, complete with a P - or to make jello molds, ice blocks or even garden stones, Winkey said.

Suppose your party - or tailgating - plans call for keeping a lot food and beverages cold on a hot day. The inflatable food buffet ($30), resembling a 55-inch black raft, can be filled with ice on top of a table or truck bed.

The lineup of returning starters includes everythings from can cozies, sippy cups and car-mounted bottle openers to coffee carafes, table covers, cooler bags, freezer pilsners and candy jars.

"Some of this stuff is available at other retailers and philly.com, but we pride ourselves on having it all," said Winkey of the ballpark store on Pattison Avenue.

For non-food novelties, from the new Phanatic Dangle Hat to mini Lego-like figures, see http://bit.ly/A49CHo.

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.