Getting the First Game Day Right | Tony Roma’s Party Plan

Tony Roma’s wants to know - are you ready for football season? If you’ve volunteered to host a game day party, you may be feeling some pressure right about now. Don’t worry - you’ve got this! Just take a few tips from the experts at Tony Roma’s.

• Leave yourself plenty of time. Start planning five days or more in advance, to leave yourself plenty of time to invite guests, plan the menu, shop, cook and clean. When you’re planning your guest list, think about which guests are fans of each team, and try to keep your numbers fairly equal. Prepare as much food as possible ahead of time, so you won’t be exhausted when guests arrive.
• Choose a couple of signature dishes your guests will remember. Let something fun and tasty, such as these Pulled Pork Sliders, made easily and quickly using Tony Roma’s pulled pork, take center stage. Match it with a few yummy side dishes, some staples like chips and salsa, a variety of beverages, and you’re all set! You can also choose to go potluck, providing a dish or two and letting your guests bring the rest, to add variety and really get people involved.
• Consider the allergies and preferences in the room. Are any of your guests vegetarian? What about gluten-free? If you aren’t aware of allergies, it might be good to ask, because some allergies can be quite severe. To play it safe, offer some dishes that avoid common allergens such as nuts, shellfish, eggs and gluten, and provide a meatless option for the vegetarians.
• Remember to decorate appropriately. Game day parties don’t have to be elaborately decorated, but simple touches can make them more fun. Try a football field table runner, made of appropriately marked green paper, with coasters shaped like footballs. Use paper plates and plastic utensils in each team’s colors, to make for easy clean-up.
• Make space for the non-sporting guests. Set up an area away from the television, where those who are uninterested in the game can chat and have a good time. If children will be present, make sure there’s a designated play space, so they can entertain themselves during the game.

No matter what else you bring to the table on game day, don’t forget the Tony Roma’s barbecue. It makes throwing a great party easy, with dishes that can be on your table in about 20 minutes and are sure to please the crowd. To find Tony Roma’s at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.

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