Comedic legends and some of the biggest names in food are joining forces at this year’s Variety Power of Comedy event. Inspire Brands, a company that owns a diverse range of restaurants, including Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC Drive-In, has announced that it will be the sole sponsor of this year’s event, which will take place on March 10 at The Creek & The Cave in Austin, Texas, during the SXSW Festival.
This year’s Variety Power of Comedy event promises to be particularly exciting, as Inspire Brands will be debuting nine exclusive food and drink items to honor the nine comedic performers who will be receiving awards throughout the night. This marks the first time that Inspire Brands restaurants have collaborated to create never-before-seen food and drink combinations, using ingredients from multiple restaurants across their portfolio.
Some of the exciting food and drink offerings that guests can look forward to include the Spit Roasted Gyro Tots, featuring crispy Tater Tots from SONIC Drive-In, loaded with Arby’s Gyro Meat, Cheese, and Tzatziki Sauce. Other items on the menu include a Chicken & Waffle Ice Cream Cup, featuring Baskin-Robbins Chick’n & Waffle Ice Cream topped with a Buffalo Wild Wings Boneless Wing in their NEW Honey Garlic Sauce. And for those who are looking for something a little more savory, there’s the Roasted “Elote” Style Corndog, featuring Buffalo Wild Wings Roasted Green Chili Queso, Chipotle Lime Crema, Jimmy Peppers, Cilantro Corn, Buffalo Wild Wings Cotija, and smoked Paprika, all topped on a delicious SONIC Drive-In mini corn dog bite.
Rita Patel, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s, expressed her excitement about the upcoming event, saying, “We are thrilled to be a part of Variety Power of Comedy. Only Inspire Brands can do something like this at SXSW. On behalf of all the marketing leads, we are excited to showcase our innovative culinary teams with an exclusive menu of food and beverage mashups across six iconic brands: Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC Drive-In.”
Hosted by Mike Lawrence and Nick Thune, Variety Power of Comedy will award comedic performers for their outstanding achievements across stand-up, film, TV, and digital platforms. This year’s honorees include Eric Andre, Phoebe Robinson, Jake Johnson, Tim Robinson & Zach Kanin, Rachel Sennott, Anna Kendrick, Patton Oswalt, and Chelsea Handler. With such an impressive lineup of performers and an equally impressive menu of food and drink, this year’s event is sure to be one for the books.
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New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…