I tried the exclusive ‘Touchdown Toast’ at Arrowhead Stadium before Chiefs’ playoff game
It’s not unusual for sports stadiums to debut new foods for special occasions, like the playoffs. It’s a time for staff members to show their creativity and to engage with fans looking to try something unique.
The two venues at the Truman Sports Complex are no strangers to letting their culinary imaginations run wild. Aramark, a catering service, runs both GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium’s food services, and we got a taste of what they can create with The Grand Slamwich — a maple long john doughnut sandwich with gochujang honey chicken, pickles and leafy greens — during the Royals’ 2024 postseason run.
So when the Chiefs clinched their playoff spot, I knew Aramark had something big in the works. I just didn’t know how big they would go.
“Touchdown Toast,” is the latest installment. Aramark senior executive chef Erin Wishon was a part of the team that came up with the idea, which is an “entire loaf of bread soaked in eggs, custard, milk and heavy cream, served with vanilla ice cream, berry sauce, strawberries and powdered sugar.”
It’s available only at Arrowhead Stadium for the playoffs in Connected Concepts’ concession stand, located in section 111. It’ll also set you back $25.
The bread is courtesy of Blackhole Bakery, Wishon said. The Kansas City-based cafe delivered the goods Thursday, and the culinary team finished the meal by adding the toppings.
Wishon said the inspiration for the bread came from the New Orleans, the location of the Super Bowl. They wanted to go big with these special edition meals since the Chiefs could possibly play in “The Big Easy,” one of the city’s nicknames.
I had the benefit of trying Touchdown Toast inside the empty stadium’s founder’s club on Friday, Jan. 17. I was afforded advantages future eaters may not have: indoor seating, a table and a steady surface to cut into the bread with a knife.
Fans who decide to buy the bread may be out in the cold with gloves on. It’s tough to cut through at first with a plastic knife, and I imagine it’ll be even harder with the weather. Business decisions may also have to be made with people who buy it — like taking their gloves off so those don’t get sticky.
Tim Witkowski, Aramark’s district manager for the Kansas City region, said he can’t wait to see how people eat the treat.
“One of the fun things when these are created, whether it’s locally or we’re supporting someone else, is to see that first person come in, grab it and go to town,” Witkowski said. “There will be knives, there will be forks, maybe there will be hands and spoons. Maybe we should’ve thought about bringing in bibs.”
Even with the favorable conditions I had, I still managed to drop a few pieces on the table. Wishon recommended that people try to eat the loaf like an apple, and when I decided to try that, the ice cream fell off the top and right onto the table.
Mess aside, it’s worth trying, especially if you ever wanted a breakfast-style food at Arrowhead Stadium. Wishon said the loaf resembled cloud bread, a pillow-soft, airy bread that’s easy to chew through, and I could feel it on the first bite.
The toppings give the bread added sweetness, and it feels like you’re eating a softer version of French toast. The outer layer’s crunch is also good contrast to the inner layer’s fluffiness.
It’s a lot of food for one person, so it’d be perfect for sharing. It also pairs well with another playoff-only food: the Sweet Victory Sandwich, three fried grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with brisket, topped with a pineapple relish and served with sweet potato fries on the side. The savory sandwich platter will also set you back $25.
Wishon only received 48 loaves, and they’re cut in half to serve as many patrons as possible. With a few of them gone already, you should probably move fast if you want to try it.
This story was originally published January 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
