LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass. (August 6, 2009) - Ocean Spray today announced its first ever Ocean Spray Tailgating Recipe Contest to find original cranberry creations for hungry football fans this fall. Beginning today, tailgaters are invited to submit their favorite cranberry tailgate recipe online at www.oceanspray.com/tailgating for a chance to win a prize package that includes two tickets to the New England Patriots' Oct. 18 game against the Tennessee Titans. Entries will be accepted through Sept. 1.
"Our tailgating cook-off brings together two quintessential New England autumn traditions: the beginning of football season and cranberry harvesting," said Larry Martin, vice president of marketing at Ocean Spray. "What better way is there to kick-off the season than by whipping-up sizzling cranberry creations for the New England Patriots?"
The contest is open to New England residents (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine). Recipes must be original, use a minimum of 1/2 cup of any Ocean Spray product (beverages 1 1/2 ounces per serving) and reflect the overall theme of tailgating. Recipes will be judged on creativity, use of product, taste, overall appearance and ease of preparation.
Three finalists will be selected and invited to cook-off for the title "Unofficial Official Tailgate Recipe of the New England Patriots" on Oct. 15 at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass. Chef Ming Tsai, host of Simply Ming and chef/owner of the award-winning Blue Ginger, and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Hannah will judge the entries and announce the winning recipe.
The cook-off coincides with the debut of Ocean Spray's 2009 "Bogs Across America" tour at Patriot Place, where more than 2,000 pounds of glimmering cranberries will be on display in a free-standing cranberry bog in Gillette Stadium. Visitors are encouraged to visit the bog Oct. 17 and 18.
Prizes
The grand prize winner will receive a prize package including two New England Patriots tickets, autographed New England Patriots memorabilia, first class hotel accommodations at the Renaissance Boston Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place, and the honor of having the winning recipe on display at the New England Patriots' Tailgate Party on Oct. 18. The winning recipe will also be posted on the official New England Patriots website www.patriots.com, delivered to thousands of Patriots fans via the Patriots Now newsletter and featured on www.oceanspray.com.
All three finalists will receive a $100 Patriots ProShop gift card and private tour of Gillette Stadium on Oct. 15.
For additional details and official entry guidelines, visit www.oceanspray.com/tailgating.
About Ocean Spray
Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 600 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as more than 50 Florida grapefruit growers. Ocean Spray was formed over 75 years ago by three cranberry growers from Massachusetts and New Jersey. Florida grapefruit growers joined the Cooperative in 1976. Ocean Spray is North America's leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks, and has been the best-selling brand name in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981. Ocean Spray posted fiscal 2008 sales of $1.9 billion.
