FOOD LOVERS FIRE UP THEIR APPETITES FOR “GRIDIRON GRILL-OUT” RESTAURANT PREVIEW BEGINNING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

 Restaurants to showcase select entrees and wines, which will be sampled during

“John Offerdahl’s Broward Health® Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Tailgate Festival” on Nov. 9

 POMPANO BEACH, FL (October 2, 2013) – Twenty-five local restaurants are offering a taste of their delicious cuisine during the “Gridiron Grill-Out” restaurant preview program beginning Sat., Oct. 12 through Fri., Nov. 8.  Foodies will be able to sample some of the fine-dining, grilled signature dishes to be prepared by top chefs paired with Miami Dolphins legends as part of “John Offerdahl’s Broward Health® Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Tailgate Festival” on Sat., Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater.

 As part of the Gridiron Grill-Out program, diners will have the chance to visit some of the best restaurants in South Florida to take advantage of a special appetizer paired with a glass of wine, compliments of Kendall-Jackson.  Past menu items include #69 Sims’ BBQ Swordfish, #25 Oliver’s Sea scallops wrapped with Prosciutto and New York Strip steak, #85 “Super Duper’s” Skirt Steak, #23 Stradford’s Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps, #40 Anderson’s Grilled Lobster Roll and #91 Cross’s Mahi Mahi Tacos.  South Florida foodies can sample these tasty eats and more at participating restaurants, such as Council Oak Steaks & Seafood at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Pelican Landing at Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Truluck’s, YOLO and Palme d’Or, Fontana and Cascades at The Biltmore in Miami.  Special package prices range from $15 to $60.

 As an added bonus, restaurant goers will also be able to scan a special QR code to download the “Gridiron Grill-Off” app to their smartphones.  The app will allow guests to enter for the chance to win weekly dinner and hotel prizes, as well as ticket packages for the highly-anticipated “John Offerdahl’s Broward Health® Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Tailgate Festival.”

 “We are encouraging Gridiron Grill-Off fans to visit participating restaurants to get a sneak peek of these fantastic dishes,” said John Offerdahl, event founder and former Miami Dolphins All-Pro Linebacker. “This is just another element to build upon the excitement surrounding this amazing event, which benefits local charities that ‘feed the needs of kids in crisis.”

 As part of the main event on Saturday, Nov. 9, Grand Grill-Off attendees, ages 21 and older, will enjoy these signature dishes paired with wine and vote on their favorite recipe.  One pair will be recognized by voting fans with the “People’s Choice Award,” while one team will be selected by a panel of esteemed judges to receive the coveted “Critic’s Choice Champion.”

 Adding to the excitement, the first-ever South Florida EGGfest will feature Big Green Egg enthusiasts from across the country, looking to show off their skills on the iconic outdoor grill.  A $25 admission fee gives EGGfest attendees the chance to enjoy food samples, plus all of the other great fun and entertainment as part of the Tailgate Zone.

 Others will enjoy the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Tailgate Zone, which will engage football fans with a spirited cornhole and bean bag competition. Guests of this free admission part of the event can view current University of Florida, Florida State University and University of Miami football games.

 The day’s festivities will culminate in a live concert from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring four-time Academy of Country Music Nominee Lee Brice.  The fan favorite will perform many of his number one hits, including the recently released single and tailgate anthem, “Parking Lot Party,” from his sophomore album, Hard 2 Love, available in stores now.

 Tickets for the Grand Grill-Off are $75 each, EGGfest tickets cost $25 each, Lee Brice concert tickets start at $20 each and the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Tailgate Zone is free and open to the public.  Guests can also purchase a combination ticket for $89, which includes access to the Grand Grill-Off, Lee Brice concert and tailgate zone.  All event net proceeds will benefit Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation, which directs funds to agencies that “feed the needs of kids in crisis” including 4KIDS of South Florida, HOPE South Florida, Here’s Help, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Miami Dolphins Foundation. For tickets and information, visit www.gridirongrilloff.com.

 This tribute to football, food and charity is sponsored by Broward Health and in part by Walgreens.  Other great sponsors contributing to the success of this event include Allegiance Crane & Equipment, Allied Kitchen & Bath, Auto Nation Foundation, Beasley Broadcast Stations, Blue Rhino, Bud Light, CBS Outdoor, Cheney Brother’s, City of Pompano, Clear Channel, Coca-Cola, Comcast Spotlight, Culinary Concepts, Fine Design Awards, Gold Coast Magazine, Guy Harvey, Helen & Festus Stacy Foundation, Impact Imagery Group, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Kendall-Jackson, Ken’s Salad Dressing, Lifestyle Magazine, Marriott Pompano Beach, The Miami Dolphins Foundation, Miami Herald, National Christian Foundation of South Florida, Ocean Spray, The Orange Bowl, Premier Beverage Co., ReachFM, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Smithfield Food Service, Snyder-Lance, Southeast Toyota Dealers, Sunshine Cleaning, Sun-Sentinel, Sweet Street Desserts, Templeton & Company, Three Olives Vodka, Two B Printing, Unique Rabbit Studios, USA Parking System, The Wasie Foundation, Zion Lutheran Church and School and Zmotion.

 About John Offerdahl

Five-time All-Pro Miami Dolphins Linebacker John Offerdahl created the Gridiron Grill-Off Food, Wine & Tailgate Festival in 2010 to integrate his love for grilling and football with his passion for helping kids in crisis. For more than a decade, John has operated the ever-popular Offerdahl’s Café Grill, a quick-casual restaurant specializing in fresh-baked baguettes, bagels and pastries alongside soups, sandwiches and just-grilled steak, shrimp, salmon complemented by fresh vegetables and appetizing side dishes.  John and his wife give back to the community through the Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation, which supports various local charitable organizations, including 4KIDS of South Florida, HOPE South Florida, Here’s Help, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Miami Dolphins Foundation.

 About Broward Health®

Broward Health®, providing service for more than 70 years, is a nationally recognized system offering world class health care services to our neighbors in South Florida. Broward Health encompasses more than 30 healthcare facilities including Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services and Broward Health Physician Group.