Buzzer beaters, upsets, dunks, and hoops all day long — we’re on the verge of the craziness of tournament basketball, and the stakes couldn’t be higher!
Once March hits, 352 schools have a shot at cutting the nets down, along with the teams getting in on the action at all other levels of the sport. But hungry squads also mean hungry fans, so there’s insane competition to be their go-to “homecourt” come tourney time.
Part of the fun is watching teams from all over the country match up in the brackets — ‘till only one is left standing to be crowned champion. At Performance, we have our own MVP exclusive brands, featuring inventive products to help your restaurant rise above the crowd. Which one of these Great Eight items can take your team to the top?!
1st Round:
First Mark® Recyclable Paper Bags
For decades, Roma has been one of the stars of the pizza and Italian world. And this year, we’re going platinum — celebrating 70 years serving local restaurants the ingredients that cook up success. Comfort, familiarity, and versatility are hallmarks of Roma products.
For example, basketball fans will enjoy the assist that comes from spicy skin-on potato wedges. West Coast-grown potatoes provide high-flying flavor and a better fry length for exceptional hold time — with that hint of spice consumers are craving. A great play to dip, top, and cover with tasty cheese options.
But no game-day plan can be executed without getting your food to patrons wherever they watch. Ensure your Roma Spicy Potato Wedges or Roma Invisicoat French Fries reach hungry parties in good shape, maintaining their warm, crispy, crunchy features, like they just left the fryer.
First Mark Recyclable Paper Bags are sturdy and come in three popular sizes, with a shopper-style twisted paper handle. Sustainability supporters will appreciate that the bags are 100% recyclable and have a minimum of 60% post-consumer recycled content. They are also Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certified and Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certified Compostable.
2nd Round:
Contigo® Pork Al Pastor
Food fanatics are putting the full-court press on Latin- and Hispanic-inspired elements — from classics, to street food, to unique family recipes — and Contigo, like its name, is “with you” to support any style of kitchen.
Take new pork al pastor slices for instance: The succulent meat is marinated in a proprietary blend of dried chilies, spices, achiote paste, and pineapple juice, for eye-catching color and a rich, tangy flavor. As it slowly cooks, the outside of the pork is caramelized, while the meat stays tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth. Pork al pastor can be the point guard that ties together game-day tacos, loaded spicy nachos, or shareable slices of taste-bud tingling Al Pastor Pizza.
Are your college-area guests in the mood for something even more unique? Let them sink their teeth into the union of jackfruit and ground beef, for less fat, less cholesterol, and fewer calories. Tropical jackfruit is jam-packed with nutritious elements, and the tender, pull-apart texture plays well with complementary ingredients. Slide FarmSmart Jackfruit Patties in as a replacement for the canned variety with these attention-grabbing Jackfruit Bao Buns.
3rd Round:
Zebec® Fire Grilled Chicken Skewers
Like a ship with the wind in its sails, skimming rapidly across the surface of vast oceans, the Mediterranean diet is making waves throughout the restaurant industry — with diners clamoring for healthful benefits, light, fresh ingredients, and a touch of international flair. Similar to this year’s extensive field of tournament contenders, Zebec is flush with one of the largest new portfolios of popular Mediterranean items.
Fire grilled chicken from Zebec covers the entire court, topping salads, filling customizable gyros, and providing a canvas for sauces and dippers. It’s Halal-certified, gluten-free, and allergen-free, crafted without antibiotics, preservatives, and very minimal processing. Give a little help defense to your BOH by incorporating this portion-controlled product, with no yield loss — just heat, serve, and high five!
Great basketball players, like Air Jordan or David “Skywalker” Thompson were known for playing the game above the rim. Now, pizza has the opportunity to be up among the clouds as well. Using a mix of flours and a long sourdough fermentation, Piancone Frozen Pinsa Pizza Crusts are marked by their defining “cloudlike” crusts. Pinsa, a style originating from ancient Rome, is an excellent choice for modern-day fans of the arena — the dough can offer a more personalized option, like this 10-inch California Style Thai Chicken Pizza, an adventure in every bite!
4th Round:
Braveheart Black Angus Beef® Gourmade Burger®
Delancey Street Deli® Beer Cheese Base
Burgers and beer — is there a better play during tournament time? One-of-a-kind and dripping with Black Angus deliciousness, the chef-crafted Braveheart Gourmade Burger utilizes an industry-leading PathProven® process for the best bite a burger fan can get. Offer them some comfort during the madness with a Gourmade Burger slathered in creamy three-cheese macaroni, applewood smoked bacon, mushrooms, and peppers — a tough starting five to beat!
Then finish off the action with a thunderous dunk! Delancey Street Beer Cheese Base enables you to customize a signature dip, unique to your restaurant. Packed in easy-to-use boilable bags for simple prep and hold time, all you need to decide is what beer you want to throw down. Add 12 to 16 ounces of the beer of your choice to the heated base, and you’re ready to sub in a craft-made cheese sauce that pairs well with fries and apps, burgers and quesadillas, even soups and fondues.
The whirlwind tournament schedule is enough to drive anyone a little mad. Help your guests navigate the hoops insanity with branded bites and exceptional flavors that give you the homecourt advantage.
