Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published January , 2009 Proceeds Go To Second Harvest Food Bank Taste Of The NFL Comes To Ralph's January 21 The Taste of the NFL made its first New Orleans appearance in 2001, before the Super Bowl here. The event travels from city to city with the championship game, bringing the best chefs from all the NFL cities with it to prepare a tremendous meal to the best-heeled patrons of the game. Then publishing a cookbook of recipes from that year's chefs. These cookbooks have been pretty good, actually, beyond their obvious value a collector's items. All of the money taken in from the event goes to hunger charities around the country. The Taste of the NFL franchise expanded beyond the Super Bowl city of the year, with satellite events elsewhere. Ralph's on the Park is staging one this year, with a portion of the proceeds going to the local Second Harvest Food Bank--a great organization that uses any money it gets very efficiently. Each couple attending gets a complimentary copy of the NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook, with over 150 recipes. The price is $85 per person plus tax and tip--so, about $115. The wines are some of the top bottlings from the oenophile side of the Gallo winemaking empire--good juice. Here's the menu: Chef Chip Flanagan's Hand-Passed Hors d'Oeuvres Garlic Lemon Shrimp With chilled black-eye pea salad infused with mint and oregano and finished with a lemon and garlic vinaigrette. Wine: Bridlewood Reserve Viognier Central Coast 2007 Seared Yellowfin Tuna With a balsamic and brown butter sauce and crispy capers Wine: Gallo Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma 2006 Niman Ranch New York Strip With savory mushroom flan, dauphine potatoes, and bordelaise sauce infused with black truffles and foie gras Wine: Louis .M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2005 Caramelized Pecan and Chocolate Tart Spiced vanilla ice cream and mini churro Café Brûlot featuring E&J Brandy To reserve, call 488-1000. Ralph's On The Park. Mid-City: 900 City Park Ave. 504-488-1000.   © 2009 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com