Wings Win Tailgate Tour Cook-off

While the Super Bowl has yet to be played, the college football season, including the bowl game series, has officially ended.

So, too, has the 2012 Gridiron Rivals Tailgate Tour produced by Trybe Targeting and involving brands like Coca-Cola, Heinz, Wright brand bacon and Cavanagh, retailers including Sam’s Club and foodservice operations such as Chick-fil-A.

More than 70,000 college football fans took part in the 2012 Gridiron Rivals Tailgate Tour, which covered 10 football games between SEC rivals in the nation’s southeast. The tour also stopped at several Sam’s Club locations in the region. The Heinz, Cavanagh and Wright brands provided product samples at the events, along with recipes and serving suggestions.

As part of the tour, organizers also sought to find the 2012 Tailgater of the Year, deemed the “tailgater equivalent to winning the Heisman Trophy.” After a nationwide vote, Matt Kamphuis was named this year’s winner and won tickets to the Fiesta Bowl.

Another tour-related cook-off took place in December, with a matchup between a Georgia Vidalia Onion Burger and Alabama BBQ Chicken Wings with White BBQ Sauce. The wings won -- as did the Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS Championship Bowl on Jan. 7.

While some college football fans are already planning ahead to next tailgating season eight or so months away, a recap of this year’s Gridiron Rivals Tailgate Tour is featured on the tour’s website.