College football season is upon us, and St. Louis’ own Sugarfire Smoke House is celebrating the return of Mizzou football by unveiling a new partnership with Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook. The collaboration will see the St. Louis barbecue giant launch a new “Cook Combo” meal honoring the college football star to coincide with Mizzou’s season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29.
The Cook Combo meal will include two meats, three sides, a smoked chocolate chip cookie and a drink, all for $21.99. Sugarfire and Cook will extend their partnership by launching a “Gameday Eats” catering menu that the restaurant said will be “perfect for any tailgate party,” and the collaboration will continue across the football season with Cook and Sugarfire chef-owner Mike Johnson collaborating on a series of specials for barbecue-loving Mizzou fans.
“Sugarfire’s had my back since day one and they are family,” said Brady Cook in a statement. Sugarfire Smokehouse franchise owner Matt Martin reciprocated Cook’s enthusiasm for the partnership. “Teaming up with Brady for the 2024 college football season is exciting,” Martin said in a statement. “He has always been a part of the family. We are extremely proud of his accomplishments on and off the field and can’t think of a better ‘cook’ to add to our team.”
Cook’s family already has deep ties with Sugarfire: his father and uncle own three of the restaurant’s 14 franchise locations in Missouri. A statement from Sugarfire said this connection “lays the foundation for a collaboration that embodies family, tradition, and a shared commitment to the community.” A previous collaboration between Cook and Sugarfire raised funds for Andrews Hugs, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities.
This article appears in August 2024.