College football fans and local Florida foodies alike are looking for something to do around town as the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl approaches.
Florida Citrus Sports (FCS) has partnered with a number of local favorites to create limited edition food and beverage products commemorating the 80th running of this legendary gridiron championship, available now through game day, December 31st.
Cross-pollination is valuable, says Jordan Eichenblatt, creative director at HIFIVE, a local advertising agency that works with FCS on many projects.
“We reached out to different places that we thought would bring something unique to the table, not just for FCS members but for an audience that doesn’t know many of the FCS members,” he explains. Conversely, “restaurant patrons may not know about the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, so both parties hope to reach a whole new audience through this collaboration.”
Either way, $1 from every item purchased will be donated to Lyft Orlando to support neighborhood investment efforts in the West Lakes community surrounding Camping World Stadium.
One such collaboration comes from Pizza Bruno, where chef and owner Bruno Zacchini has made several changes to the legendary app. The reimagined White Cheddar Cheez-It Garlic Knot is available now, but only at our Maitland store.
“This is part of Maitland Social’s new ‘triple threat’ secret app,” Zacchini said, noting it was dine-in only. “I love Cheez-Its with white cheddar cheese, and we kind of bridge the gap between Cheez-Its’ crushability and knotty.”
Similar to Zacchini’s menu, all game-inspired dishes and drinks include Cheez-It and citrus flavors.
These include Pizza Valdiano’s Buffalo Chicken Pizza with Cheez-It Crust, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company’s 80 Years of Impact Citra Blonde Ale, and Pa’alante reposado cocktail featuring rum, cane sugar cola, and lime, and The Neighbors’ Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, served over a bowl of Cheez-It crackers (customers will eat them separately).
“FCS is a really great organization. Not only do we love sports, but we love the different events,” said Eichenblatt, who is also a member, citing the Thornton Davis postgame show as an example.
“With all kinds of upgrades coming soon to Camping World Stadium, it’s really the perfect time to become a member or become a member, get game tickets, pre-sale items, and connect with a really great network of people who are here to support Orlando,” he added, listing all the volunteer opportunities available in and around the West Lakes area.
“Helping the region thrive is a big part of what we do.”
Other popular stores associated with this collaboration include Fat Ash Bakes, which is offering a luscious lemon cookie exclusive to A La Cart City, Black Fin Coffee and Gnarly Barley, both of which have two limited edition items on their menus.
Ala Kart City will serve food and beverages when downtown’s Art² Park opens
Gnarly Burley “Noles” fans will be happy to note that the ’77 Tangerine Bowl Naggies are a reminder of the year Florida State won the Citrus Bowl.
“There are some funny Easter egg names like that out there,” Eichenblatt said, noting that Framework Coffee’s ’91 National Champion product pays homage to Georgia Tech.
In addition to the ongoing food and beverage collaborations, mixology fans can look forward to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Cocktail Competition at Lamp & Shade in Orlando’s Mills 50 District on December 8th.
The event will feature local bartenders creating citrus bowl-inspired drinks, including featured drinks from partners Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Don Q Rum. The winning entry will be featured as a special entry during the Bowl Week festivities.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CheezItCitrusBowl.com.
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, and for more foodie fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
