Michael Mina's Tailgates Are How Tailgates Should Be Done

We've always been big fans of tailgating here at Food Republic. Over the years, we've devoted an entire section to recipes perfect for game day, and our football and food coverage has included a column called Proud Alum in which chefs reminisce about their college football tailgating days. At the end of the day, nothing gets us more excited than a proper chef-driven tailgate. That's why we were so excited to hear that Michael Mina's "Ultimate Tailgate Series" is returning to San Francisco.

An annual membership fee gets season ticket holders into all eight of Mina's guest chef tailgates. (Photo: Nader Khouri.) 

For the second consecutive season, the Michelin-starred Mina is hosting tailgates before 49ers home games at his restaurant Bourbon Pub & Bourbon Steak in Levi's Stadium. But these are no ordinary tailgates. Mina is welcoming renowned guest chefs from around the country and serving dishes like roasted ox over potato broccoli gratin and Wagyu saddles of roasted beef, along with flowing cheese fondues and decadent Bloody Mary bars. An annual membership fee of $5,000 — available exclusively to 49ers season ticket holders — provides access to all eight of the upscale, all-inclusive game-themed menus, as well as an accompanying beverage menu that includes a signature game-themed cocktail.

So just who is part of this roster of visiting chefs? José Andrés, Scott Conant, Todd English, Andrew Zimmern, Chris Cosentino and Ming Tsai are all slated to cook in the coming weeks. We're not Niners fans here at Food Republic, but that's the kind of lineup that just might test where our true loyalties lie.