Sips & Slices 2025

Sips & Slices
A Tailgate Taste-off for The River

Sunday, September 14 • 1–4 pm
The East Side Club
(3735 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53714)

Sips & Slices is back with a game-day twist! Grab your favorite drink and sample savory tailgate bites as teams of local chefs and celebrities battle it out for the title of Best Tailgate Slice. Don’t miss this fun-filled, flavor-packed showdown!

All proceeds benefit The River Food Pantry.

Ticket Options:

VIP Pre-game Party starts at 12:00 pm and General Admission starts at 1:00 pm.

General Admission includes tailgate tastings, 2 voting tickets and 1 drink token.

In addition to the above, VIP guests will enjoy a live cooking demonstration with Jake Lawler as seen on “Yes, Chef!” This exclusive experience includes tastings, recipes to take home, unlimited beer, hard seltzer and soda, private bourbon tasting with J. Henry & Sons, reserved parking, Q&A session and photo opportunity with Jake Lawler. VIP Table Sponsors will receive tickets for 8 guests with reserved seating.

This year’s event will also include a silent auction, wine pull, and paddle raise to help The River Food Pantry keep up with Dane County’s record demand for food assistance.

Tickets:

Early Bird $90 | General Admission $100

• Doors open at 1:00 pm
• Includes tailgate tastings, 2 voting tickets, and 1 drink token
• Early bird pricing available before August 1

VIP Pre-game Party $150

• Begins at 12:00 pm
• General Admission ticket included
• Meet and greet with Jake Lawler as seen on Yes Chef!
• Live cooking demonstration with exclusive recipes to take home
• Tastings of 2-3 appetizers
• Private bourbon tasting with J. Henry & Sons
• Unlimited canned beer, hard seltzer, and soda so you can sip freely from 12–1pm
• Reserved parking
• Access to Q&A and photo opportunity with Jake Lawler
• Limited capacity
• Must be 21+ years old

Table Sponsor $825

• 8 General Admission tickets with reserved seating and name on table

VIP Table Sponsor $1,250

• 8 VIP Pre-game Party and General Admission tickets with reserved seating and name on table

Chef Celebrity Teams

Chef Dan Fox of Heritage Tavern + Kalvin Barrett, Dane County Sheriff

Chef Tynan McCaffrey of The Coopers Tavern + Kelly Sheffield, University of Wisconsin Women’s Volleyball Coach

Chef Matt Schieble of Frostwood Farms Kitchen + Jason Ilstrup, President of Downtown Madison Inc.

Chef Tim Van Doren of Steenbock’s on Orchard + Pam Jahnke, Fabulous Farm Babe on the Mid-West Farm Report

Chef Trinidad Ocotl of Monty’s Blue Plate Diner + Melissa Agard, Dane County Executive

Chef Jason Van Ommeren of Canteen & Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace + Bianca Martin, Podcast Host of City Cast Madison

Chef Diego Guzmán of Everly & HWY1 + Samara Kalk Derby, Wisconsin State Journal Feature Writer

Chef Jamie Brown-Soukaseume of Ahan + Lanette Hansen, Morning Show Host on Magic 98

Chef Adam Struebing of The Madison Club + Lee Acker, Host of Live It Up on Television Wisconsin

Chef Luis Albarran of 1855 Saloon & Grill + Noelle & Adedokun Abedoyin, Friendly Black Foodies

Chef Ali Matts of The Free House Pub + Mike Higgins, Assistant Golf Pro at Blackhawk Country Club

Why Should You Attend?

For one day only, you will get an exclusive chance to try a variety of unique, locally-made tailgating foods and drinks!

Have fun connecting with our community. We aim to host approximately 250 attendees, along with local chefs and celebrities. The afternoon also includes a silent auction, paddle raise, wine pull, and music.

Support South Central Wisconsin’s busiest food pantry, which serves over 3,500 people throughout Dane County every week. All the proceeds from this annual fundraising event will help provide food and essentials for local households who rely on The River’s free services: groceries for pickup or delivery, to-go meals, online grocery orders, mobile meals, and after-hours food lockers.

Sponsors:

Full Spread

Platter

Slice

Sip

With Generous Support From:

4230 E Towne Blvd