The All-Star Game will take place in Philadelphia this summer -- a fitting location for the nation's 250th birthday. It's the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed, where the Liberty Bell rang, where the Constitution was first drafted and, maybe most importantly, a town where Americans have feasted on delicious food for decades.
So, in celebration of this year's Midsummer Classic, Aramark put together four unique, mouth-watering meals. The preliminary rounds finished with the Declaration Dog and the Liberty Stack being eliminated. The final choice came down to the Revolutionary Rib Melt vs. Betsy's Banana Ice Cream Sundae.
Fans voted, and on Thursday, the TODAY Show unveiled the winner: Betsy's Banana Ice Cream Sundae.
MLB was also lucky enough to be in town to see chef Rich Grab, director of culinary innovation at Aramark Sports and Entertainment, put together the four meals in person. He toured us through Reading Market Terminal, saying his inspiration for these dishes (and for many others) comes from Dinic's Roast Pork and Beef, Beiler's Doughnuts and many of the other shops in the iconic Philly food plaza.
"Our fans are coming in with a different level of expectation with all the great chefs in Philadelphia and all around the country," Grab said. "It's an experience, it's not just a game you come and watch. It's an all-day event you bring your friends and family to. No knock to the hot dog, but not everything's about hot dogs and nachos. We want to bring a bit of elevation to these dishes."
Here's a description of the winning dish below, with notes from Grab as he was making it.
Betsy’s Banana Ice Cream Sundae
Banana pudding with vanilla soft serve, topped with crushed vanilla wafers, peanut brittle, hot fudge, strawberry sauce and toasted marshmallow cloud. Red, white and blue sprinkles scattered throughout and, of course, served in an All-Star souvenir cap.
"We did a little nod to a banana pudding and a classic hot fudge sundae," Grab said. "Two American icons slapped together for a great dessert item at the park."
