Score Big with a Perfect Tailgate Party: Go Buckeyes!

Tailgating is an essential part of the college football experience, especially here in Columbus, Ohio, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Whether you're heading to the Shoe or hosting a private game-day bash at home, nothing brings Buckeye fans together like a fan favorite - tailgate party. With the football season in full swing, now is the perfect time to get your game plan together for creating a fun and delicious tailgating experience.

If you're ready to cheer on the Buckeyes in style but don’t want to spend your entire Saturday preparing food, Hudson's Edge Catering and Events has the perfect solution to score big with your guests! Keep reading for some of our top party favorites!

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Setting the Scene for a Columbus Tailgate Party

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No tailgate party is complete without the right atmosphere. Whether you're near Ohio Stadium or throwing a backyard bash, the energy of Buckeye Nation is palpable. At The Ohio State University, tailgating has become a tradition that brings thousands of fans together, filling the air with excitement, cheers, and the mouth-watering scent of grilled foods and endless snacks. You can bring this electric atmosphere home by creating a lively space filled with scarlet and gray, hanging team flags, and blasting Buckeye battle songs… not to mention a BIG TV screen (or two!)

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To take things to the next level, adding fun activities like cornhole, football toss, or even a Buckeyes trivia game would be so fun.  Keep your guests entertained before and after the game with some friendly competition.

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Tailgate Menu Favorites You Can Make at Home

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A true tailgate party centers around what else? but the food! While traditional tailgate favorites like burgers, brats, and hot dogs are staples, you can add your own creative twist to make your party stand out. Here are a few ideas to help you create the ultimate home-tailgating experience:

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• Candied Bacon Skewers: A sweet and spicy twist on a fan favorite, these skewers are easy to grill and perfect for snacking on between plays. Plus, Hudson's Edge Catering offers our very own version as part of our catering menu. 😀

• Buffalo Chicken Dip: Creamy, spicy, and cheesy, this dip is a must-have for any game day. Serve it with tortilla chips or veggies for a crowd-pleasing option.

• Grilled Corn on the Cob: Fresh, locally grown Ohio sweet corn in fall is simply the best! Plus it can be easily grilled and topped with butter, seasoning, and even a sprinkle of cheese for added flavor. For a unique spin, try our signature Ohio Corn Salsa featured in our catered events!

• Pulled Pork Sliders: Smoky, tender pulled pork sliders make for a hearty and flavorful option that pairs perfectly with an ice-cold beer. You can slow-cook the pork in advance and keep it warm for guests throughout the game.

• Chili Bar: Nothing says fall football like a warm bowl of chili. Prepare a big batch of Buckeye-style chili and set up a toppings bar with shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and jalapeños to let guests customize their bowls.

• Buckeye Bites: Mini versions of the beloved peanut butter and chocolate treat. These can be made ahead of time and kept cool until it’s time to serve.

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While these dishes are perfect for DIY tailgaters, they can also be part of a larger catered menu if you're looking to take the stress out of hosting.

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Here are a few of the Hudson’s Edge versions of your fan-favorite game day snacks:

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Beverages and Sides to Keep Fans Refreshed

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Every great tailgate party needs the right beverages to wash down all the savory goodness. Keep things simple with coolers full of soda, water, and local craft beers. You can even serve up Ohio favorites like Seventh Sons Brewing, Land Grant Brewing Co., Wolf Ridge Brewing and Hoof Hearted Brewing to keep things local. If you're looking for something non-alcoholic, iced tea and lemonade mocktails are great game-day choices.

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These finger foods and easy-to-grab snacks are ideal:

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• Charcuterie:  Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board at a party?  Set out a mixed board of assorted cheeses and meats – add candied nuts, dried fruits and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing spread!  Kick it up a notch with chocolate covered pretzels, dips (like our fig jam!) and pickles or olives to really show off!

• Italian Pinwheels: These bite-sized rolls are a fun and flavorful option. Made with fresh-cut black forest ham, pepperoni, cheddar cheese, Italian dressing, lettuce, and cucumber, they’re all wrapped up in a sriracha and spinach flour tortilla. Served cold, they’re perfect for a grab-and-go snack that guests can enjoy while watching the game.

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For sides, here are some dish ideas to complement your tailgate:

• Pasta Salad: A classic side dish that pairs well with almost any tailgate meal. Our version features penne pasta tossed in a homemade Italian dressing with cubed celery, onion, fresh parsley, tomatoes and a generous sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese. It’s light yet flavorful, making it a great addition to balance heavier game-day snacks.

• Mac N Cheese: Comfort food at its finest. Creamy, cheesy, and always a crowd favorite, mac n cheese is a must-have at any tailgate party. You can make it ahead of time and keep it warm in a slow cooker, so guests can help themselves throughout the event.

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Don't Forget Desserts

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No tailgate party is complete without something sweet to finish off the meal!

For Buckeye fans, there's nothing better than indulging in delicious Buckeye-inspired desserts. Some of Hudson's Edge Catering’s most popular creations include:

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• Buckeye Cupcakes, a decadent chocolate cupcake topped with a whipped peanut butter frosting.

• Buckeye Shooters with Oreo crumbles layered with a peanut butter cream, topped with a chocolate mousse.

• Our Original Buckeye Cream Puff - Hand-piped puffs filled with a peanut butter mousse, topped with a dollop of Devil’s fudge and a peanut butter kiss.

Perfect for satisfying those chocolate cravings while cheering on the team!  These desserts are sure to score big with your guests.

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Tailgate Party at Home: Stress-Free with Hudson’s Edge Catering

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When it comes to hosting a private tailgate party, you want to be able to enjoy the game with your guests instead of stressing about food prep, grilling, or refilling drinks. That’s where Hudson's Edge Catering and Events comes in! Whether you're planning a backyard tailgate for a few close friends or throwing a larger bash, we can help you with customized catering services designed to suit your needs.

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Why Choose Hudson’s Edge Catering for Your Tailgate Party?

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• Local Flavor: We pride ourselves on incorporating local, fresh ingredients into our menus, offering farm-to-table inspired dishes that elevate the traditional tailgate spread. Our Ohio focused dishes are a hit for Buckeye-themed parties.

• Stress-Free Setup: We handle everything from food preparation to delivery and setup, allowing you to focus on the game and your guests. Whether you want to pick it up ready to go, or if we can help with an easy drop-off service or a fully catered event, we’ve got you covered.

• Tailored Menus: From fan-favorite snacks like candied bacon and sliders to more sophisticated options like crostinis and dessert platters, we offer a wide range of menu items that can be customized to fit your event’s style and size.

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Plan Your Perfect Tailgate Party

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Planning a Buckeye tailgate party doesn’t have to be complicated and we hope this article gives you some great inspiration. With some creative food ideas, a fun setup, and a festive atmosphere, you can create a memorable event for all your fellow fans. And if you want to enjoy the game without spending hours in the kitchen, reach out to Hudson's Edge Catering and Events (link below). We’d love to provide delicious food that’ll have your guests cheering on the Buckeyes from the first kickoff to the final touchdown.

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So, as you don your scarlet and gray, remember that Hudson’s Edge Catering is your go-to solution for pulling off a winning tailgate celebration. We can’t wait to help you cheer on the Ohio State Buckeyes in style this season!

Go Buckeyes! OH - IO!

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Professional / stylized photography by: Ashleigh Grzybowski Photography

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Contact us to start planning your tailgate party: https://www.hudsons-edge.com/contact-us