Chefs are excited for Ultimate Tailgate 2026 – and you should be, too!
First things first: What is Ultimate Tailgate?
Ultimate Tailgate is Spoonfuls’ biggest fundraiser of the year, where 30+ of Boston’s most iconic restaurants come together to serve signature bites in support of our mission to deliver food with purpose.
Event details at a glance
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
Time: VIP entry at 5:30 PM | General Admission entry at 6:30 PM
Location: Roadrunner, 89 Guest Street, Boston, MA
What do participating chefs have to say?
Here’s what chefs from a few of this year’s participating restaurants are most excited about.
Nadia Liu Spellman, Dumpling Daughter, Heirloom
“I love Tailgate because you get all the best chefs in the room at the same time. There isn’t another event like it, where you get everyone in the room supporting an incredible cause.”
Serving: Pan-Seared Pork & Chive and Vegetable Dumplings
Tiffani Faison, Sweet Cheeks Q
“Over the past 16 years, Tailgate has grown into the most incredible night, and I’ve been so fortunate to watch it grow. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year. While it’s an important mission-driven night of fundraising for Spoonfuls, it’s also such a fun way for the chef community to spend time with each other and other Spoonfuls supporters. Plus, we get to show off a bit and flex our culinary skills!”
Serving: Cajun Shrimp Boil
David Barzigan, UNI
“I’ve participated in Tailgate for multiple years, and I’m really looking forward to being with chef buddies in the room while supporting such a great cause. This year, we’re serving a wagyu beef tartare served on a beef tendon puff – like a chicharrón made of beef. I can’t wait.”
Serving: Beef Tartare with Bone Marrow Aioli
Will Gilson, Puritan & Company
“So many of us in the chef community don’t get a chance to go to each other’s restaurants enough, or even just see each other enough. At Ultimate Tailgate, we’re all in one place helping to raise money for an amazing cause, which is what makes it all worthwhile. It’s such a fun night!”
Serving: Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Where do the proceeds go?
Every ticket, auction bid, and donation supports Spoonfuls’ mission to divert perfectly good food from the waste stream and, instead, get it to people in our region who need it now. A donation of $100 at Ultimate Tailgate enables Spoonfuls to recover enough food to create 80 meals – nearly a week of meals for a family of four.
How can I get tickets?
For tickets and event details, visit spoonfuls.org/ultimate-tailgate. While you’re there, make sure to:
- Browse the full restaurant roster to see what restaurants are cheffing it up for Spoonfuls this year.
- Check out the silent auction. Two full-access tickets to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival are already open for bidding! Whether you’re able to attend Tailgate, silent auction prizes are open to the public for bidding, so keep an eye out for new items coming soon.
- Explore other ways to get involved – whether you want to treat yourself to VIP tickets or volunteer to help make every guest’s experience outstanding.
