It's football time in Tennessee! One key element that almost every Vol fan participates in at some point during the season is tailgating. People from the Knoxville area clamor into the city on Saturdays to shake hands with our football team during the Vol Walk, sing "Rocky Top" with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band as they perform Salute to the Hill, awe at the Vol Navy as the hundreds of boats fill the Tennessee River and fill Neyland Stadium with noise so much that they can't hear themselves scream...yeah, that's a typical gameday events in Knoxville. 

But a gameday isn't complete without some level of tailgating.  As great as it is, tailgating adds another level of stress to fans in regards to gameday planning. What do you fix? How many people are eating at your tailgate? Will your food impress your in-laws? 

Because of these stresses, many people result to the overly used tailgate staples-tortilla chips and Pace salsa, hot wings, hamburgers, hot dogs and deli sandwiches.  If your goal is to impress people with your cooking skills, steer clear of these menu items for sure so your tailgate doesn't look like everyone elses.  To stick out, and to awaken your taste buds on your next gameday, try some of these recipes that won't keep you in the kitchen for hours or break your bank account. 

Vol tailgating formula

Vol fans really enjoy kicking their feet back and enjoying each others stories, as tailgating is popular in Knoxville.  Wither a good game of corn hole or beer pong is an activity on the gameday tailgate activities or not, everyone seems to always have a smile on their face.

"It just isn't gameday if I don't get to tailgate. My fraternity brothers and I always see who can bring the best thing to eat.  The Ohio game was fun because we had the spiciest food contest," University of Tennessee senior Chris Hardwick says. Hardwick is majoring in logistics and has rarely missed a game during his time at UT.

I think it's important to branch out and let your creativity come out in your cooking.   Michael Favazzo

A recurring theme with tailgates in happiness is if people are satisfied and proud of the food they are serving in their tailgate.  If people have "out-of-the-box" menu items, they tend to stress less and enjoy this fellowship time more.  People who have bland and monotonous food tend to worry more about the food than mingling with guests. 

"It is really difficult to have a full-time job, keep up with my kids, make the trip to Knoxville and have a stellar tailgate for everyone.  I really enjoy it though.  My son says my pulled bar-b-que menu is the best," UT mom Beth Tuesburg says.  Tuesburg has drove from Virginia three times a season for five years to make food for the tuba section for the Pride of the Southland Band.  Her son is now a Pride alumnus.

"The Tuesburg tailgate is the best by far.  She cooks the most delicious food," tuba player Hunter Ostdick says. Ostdick is a junior from Texas and says he looks forward to the games the Tuesburg family comes to-for the food and the good company.

Unique recipes Vol fans seem to love don't last long at tailgates.  One is a Tuesburg's ooey-gooey blond brownie.  The extravagant ingredients in addition to blond brownie to this dish are graham cracker, caramel, chocolate chips and walnuts.  Tuesburg explains that you simply add everything together in a mixing bowl and bake-super easy and inexpensive. A recipe that Hardwick likes to make for his tailgates is his caliente chili-complete with habanero peppers and cayenne pepper. There are plenty of options to explore.

Take advice from the professionals

As some people may take note from shows on the Food Network, tailgate cooking can be more scientific and prestigious than or as laid back as you want to make it.  Chef Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri tend to have more fun, but can sure cook up a vibrant meal for the big game!  For some recipes of tailgate classics with a twist, visit Food Network to view this slideshow of menu options.  If you see one you like, click on it to view the recipe and instructions.  You can also find sample menus for tailgating and other events on this site.

Chef Michael Favazzo, of Blackberry Farm (a Relais & Châteaux, Relais & Gourmand resort in tucked away in the mountains of Walland, Tennessee), seems to agree with Food Network chefs in regards to tailgating. "I think it's important to branch out and let your creativity come out in your cooking," Favazzo says.

Favazzo says his favorite recipe is his birthday dinner he had growing up because his grandmother made it and he learned a lot of cooking skills from her.  He says most food he had growing up was Italian because his family is Italian on both sides. He entertains for large groups in his own home regularly, whether it is testing new recipes on his soccer team or fixing a meal for a birthday.  "Have fun with it. Enjoy the company of your friends and family over plates of good food," Favazzo says.

Since football season is up and roaring full speed, it is the perfect time to revamp your tailgate with new recipes.  These tips may be ideas to help you at your next tailgate! If you are looking for a book to add to your cookbook collection about tailgating food, check out John Madden's Ultimate Tailgating Cookbook.  This is a unique cookbook because it also has narratives from Madden as well as every NFL stadium and the tailgate rules of any location. 

For more tailgate tips and specific tailgate recipes, go to Truly Epicurious, a blog dedicated to providing answers to foodie problems.  This semester-tailgate menus.