Bridgestone Arena features new concession items

In the newly branded Wok This Way station near Section 101, fans have meal options with an Asian flare.The first new featured item would be the oddly named but amazingly delicious pork wings. While they are really pork shanks, they are presented in a form similar to Buffalo wings.Those pork wings come in two different flavors. The first is with a Hoisin glaze served over fried rice. When he heard the concept of a waffle stand, Predators president and chief operating officer Sean Henry questioned Chef Wade’s sanity. After sampling the products, Henry said Wednesday that the idea of the stand was “asinine genius.”The waffle-related offerings have convinced Henry, a northern transplant, that Southerners can do wonders with waffles, and he is now proud to have them available in his building.Located near Section 109, the stand’s signature offering is Chicken and Waffles.They take a fresh-fried chicken tender and wrap it in a gyro-style waffle. The waffle is made right in front of the guest. The waffles are topped with a jalapeno-honey glaze to give the offering a sweet and spicy kick.Another offering in the waffle section is the Smoked Brisket Chili Waffle.Chef Wade compared the chili to a Texas red chili made with very little tomato products. The waffle and chili are topped with sour cream as well as some crumbled up Fritos and jalapenos and cheddar cheese.To complete the waffle hat trick, a new waffle dessert option is available as well. The waffle is topped with soft-serve ice cream and Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey glazed bananas, fresh fruit, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.As the desire for more portable foods was expressed, Chef Wade developed what is most likely the most primal of the new offerings in what is simply called Bacon-on-a-Stick. It is also the most aptly named item because it is literally bacon on a stick; five ounces of thick-cut bacon on a skewer. The bacon is drizzled with a chili maple glaze.To paraphrase that dog in the Beggin Strips commercial – "Bacon, bacon, bacon, bacon. It’s bacon." Chris Parker, the Predators chief marketing officer, chimed in that the one-handed bacon treat leaves the other hand open to carry a frosty beverage as ticketholders make their way to their seats. He also suggested getting two of them; one for the walk to the seat, and one for when you get there. Available in Section 101 and Section 317View the list »
Bacon on a Stick

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In their quest to improve the overall experience of the patrons who pass through their doors, the Bridgestone Arena brass decided it was time to improve upon their fans’ game or concert night by improving both the number and variety of concession options available throughout the building.

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And being situated in the heart of downtown, several of the new options have a very southern, and even more specifically, a very Nashville feel to them.

At seemingly every event they have been to, fans have always been able to get stadium or arena staples like hot dogs or popcorn. But recognizing that the visitors to their arena desired things outside of these staples inspired the Predators and their food partners at Delaware North to reach beyond what was normal in coming up with new choices to tempt the ticketholders’ palate.

The arena held a walk-through and taste test event for members of the Nashville media Wednesday afternoon at Bridgestone’s 501 Club while the Predators wrapped up their morning practice on the ice surface below.

“When the people come into the arena, they are looking for a total experience,” Chef Wade said before introducing the new items. “A major part of any sporting event is the food (component). We take that very seriously here.”

Part of the inspiration for the new items was a wish to bring scratch made items using fresh ingredients, and that can be a challenge when you are trying to feed upwards of 17,000 people over the course of several hours.

What follows is a tour of some of the new offerings.

View the list
  • As the desire for more portable foods was expressed, Chef Wade developed what is most likely the most primal of the new offerings in what is simply called Bacon-on-a-Stick. It is also the most aptly named item because it is literally bacon on a stick; five ounces of thick-cut bacon on a skewer. The bacon is drizzled with a chili maple glaze.To paraphrase that dog in the Beggin Strips commercial – "Bacon, bacon, bacon, bacon. It’s bacon." Chris Parker, the Predators chief marketing officer, chimed in that the one-handed bacon treat leaves the other hand open to carry a frosty beverage as ticketholders make their way to their seats. He also suggested getting two of them; one for the walk to the seat, and one for when you get there. Available in Section 101 and Section 317
  •  When he heard the concept of a waffle stand, Predators president and chief operating officer Sean Henry questioned Chef Wade’s sanity. After sampling the products, Henry said Wednesday that the idea of the stand was “asinine genius.”The waffle-related offerings have convinced Henry, a northern transplant, that Southerners can do wonders with waffles, and he is now proud to have them available in his building.Located near Section 109, the stand’s signature offering is Chicken and Waffles.They take a fresh-fried chicken tender and wrap it in a gyro-style waffle. The waffle is made right in front of the guest. The waffles are topped with a jalapeno-honey glaze to give the offering a sweet and spicy kick.Another offering in the waffle section is the Smoked Brisket Chili Waffle.Chef Wade compared the chili to a Texas red chili made with very little tomato products. The waffle and chili are topped with sour cream as well as some crumbled up Fritos and jalapenos and cheddar cheese.To complete the waffle hat trick, a new waffle dessert option is available as well. The waffle is topped with soft-serve ice cream and Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey glazed bananas, fresh fruit, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
  • In the newly branded Wok This Way station near Section 101, fans have meal options with an Asian flare.The first new featured item would be the oddly named but amazingly delicious pork wings. While they are really pork shanks, they are presented in a form similar to Buffalo wings.Those pork wings come in two different flavors. The first is with a Hoisin glaze served over fried rice.
  •  Hot chicken comes in many forms, but Chef Wade wanted to bring Nashville-style hot chicken into Bridgestone and the early returns indicate that he was successful in achieving that goal.They take a whole chicken leg quarter and soak it in a brine for 24 hours before frying. The Nashville “hot sauce wet rub” makes the chicken a similar style to that of longtime hot chicken staple Prince’s. Served over Texas toast with pickles, the chicken delivers a kick to those who make that selection. 
  •  At the Red Line Grill near Section 213, Chef Wade’s dream of having a better hamburger option comes to life. Consumers can get a fresh ”diner-style” burger prepared right in front of them  and then choose from over 20 different toppings to complement the patty.In keeping with the fresh theme, fresh-cut French fries are made in front of the customer as well.
  •  The second pork wing sauce is a sweet and spicy version that has almost a hybrid Asian/Caribbean flare.Wok This Way evolved from fan feedback. The Asian cart that was located near Section 117 was very popular, but fans expressed their dismay at having to wait in long lines there.Fans also expressed interest in expanded Asian food items, so egg rolls were added and now people have the option of electing to have their Asian stir fry served over fried rice in addition to the previous option of noodles. 
View the list

, Nashville Predators Examiner

Jim is a northern transplant with a passion for hockey. He has covered the Predators since the 1999-2000 season for a wire service as well as several other media outlets, and is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. In 2012, the Nashville Scene named Jim Nashville's Best...

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