Anne Burrell's Super Bowl Party Tips

A self serve bar, cheese boards, and good friends make for the perfect watch party

This Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the most-watched sporting event of the year: Super Bowl LIX.

There’s much to unpack for everyone during the big game that doesn’t even involve football: A halftime show headlined by Kendrick Lamar (with special guest SZA), a slew of commercials (including the strangest fever dream of a seal portrayed by…..Seal and Harry and Sally reuniting at Katz’s Deli to shill mayo), and multiple Taylor Swift sightings (including a halftime appearance rumor).

And, of course, there’s the food.

No Super Bowl watch party is complete without food and drink.

Celebrity chef, member of the City Harvest Food Council, and football fan Anne Burrell is hosting a watch party at her home in Brooklyn with her husband, Stuart Claxton. It’s a casual affair where friends are encouraged to wear their favorite stretchy pants, grab their favorite drink, and claim a place on the comfortable sofa. She shared her strategy for Super Bowl Sunday with Broken Palate.

Snacks

When I spoke to Burrell, she stressed the importance of snacks — and by snacks, she means plenty of cheese. “I have a cheese charcuterie situation set up. I feel like the Super Bowl is permission to eat as much cheese as you possibly can.”

Burrell transforms her dining room table (which happens to be directly in front of the television) into Snack Central. “I have a cheese charcuterie situation set up.” Burrell also serves up chips with guacamole, homemade, queso, and plenty of dip. “I feel the holidays and Super Bowl Sunday are the days to do a good onion dip,” she says. As a nod to something healthy, she’ll add some crudities and hummus to the offerings.

In addition, Burrell makes an additional cheese platter for the coffee table. “That way nobody has to get up for cheese,” she quips.

Drinks

Beverages are a self-serve situation. “When people get here, the rule is that I show them the bar. I make the first drink and then let everyone have at it,” she says.

Tequila and vodka are the two most popular spirits during Super Bowl Sunday, and there’s a large ice-filled tub with beer, hard seltzers, and wine. Burrell also stresses that you can never have enough ice — so buy a few more bags than you need. “I make sure to have plenty of ice. I have when I have to search for ice,” she says.

The Halftime Show

At halftime, Burrell puts out a big pot of meatballs with homemade ricotta and diced dill pickles. “Then I do a pork or chicken carnitas so people can make their own tacos,” says Burrell, who adds a nice salad to the mix. “In case we need a break from the cheese,” she adds.

Her husband, Stuart, is in charge of the Tortilla Espanola, a Super Bowl Sunday tradition in their home.

The Vibe

Burrell likes to keep things easy on Super Bowl Sunday, so no cater waiters, no fine china, and no crystal stemware. “I am totally about red Solo cups and disposable bamboo plates,” she says.

She also likes to have some floral arrangements and napkins in the teams’ colors (in case you were wondering, Burrell — a Buffalos fan — is rooting for the Chiefs).

At the end of the day, Super Bowl Sunday is all about getting together with good friends, so whether you plan on making a spread, ordering some pizza, or meeting friends at the local watering hole it’s all good, says Burrell. “I’m in it for the spirit of the day. It’s an in-house tailgate situation. I’m here for the sport and the joy and the casual camaraderie.”