Created in conjunction with Florida Blue, the cookbook not only provides fans with delicious recipes, but also an insider's perspective into their eating habits, family traditions, favorite foods and more, such as Callahan sharing his favorite cheat meal is a "Garbage Plate" from back home in Rochester and Chris Kunitz discussing his mom's Christmas-time tradition of making the Nimal Bar.
Each recipe also comes with easy substitutions and tips from Florida Blue's nutritionist to make meal preparation healthier as well as tips on essential tools chefs find invaluable in the kitchen.
All proceeds from the cookbook will benefit Feeding Tampa Bay, which focuses on providing food to more than 700,000 hungry individuals and families in the 10-county area around Tampa Bay.
"The Lightning are very excited to launch this initiative with our great partners at Florida Blue and Feeding Tampa Bay," Lightning chief executive officer Steve Griggs said. "Bolts Blue Flame is an informative and fun way to promote healthy eating while also helping in the fight to end hunger in the Tampa Bay Area."
"Good food comforts, sustains and nourishes. This cookbook will bring fans together to enjoy its fun and healthy recipes, but most importantly, it will help fulfill those essential needs to our neighbors across Tampa Bay who are unsure where their next meal will come from," said David Pizzo, Florida Blue Market President, West Florida Region.
Executives from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Blue officially launched the cookbook on Tuesday by volunteering at Feeding Tampa Bay's warehouse where they sorted food donations for distribution. It was the first of several activities the two companies have planned in the coming months to encourage Lightning fans to join them in their fight against hunger across the Tampa Bay region.
"Food is an essential part of all of our lives. Unfortunately, for one in seven adults and one in four children, food doesn't come so easily," said Thomas Mantz, executive director of Feeding Tampa Bay. "Partnerships like this with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Blue enable Feeding Tampa Bay to give this basic necessity to our neighbors in need."
Bolts Blue Flame: Cooking with the Tampa Bay Lightning can be purchased for $19.99 online at TampaBaySports.com or in person at the Tampa Bay Sports Stores in AMALIE Arena, The Tampa Bay Sports Store located at International Plaza and Bay Street or the Feeding Tampa Bay warehouse on Transport Drive.
