World Class Food Offered To Fans at BNP Paribas Open

The BNP Paribas Open doesn’t just have some of the best tennis players in the world, but the food is far above your traditional stadium fare.

Gilbert Verdugo, West Coast Executive Chef for Levy Restaurants, leads the culinary concession team catering at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. He’s created menus for the Grammy Awards, the Emmys, and many other world-class events on the west coast. His culinary team is as fierce as a Rafael Nadal forehand.

“The executive sous chef at the Oracle Arena? He’s doing pastries for me,” Verdugo proudly joked about his all-star culinary team. “They come from Seattle, Tampa Bay, Houston, and the lead chef from the U.S. Open is out here with us. He begs me to let him come out here.”

These chefs have developed menus for some of the top sports venues in the country, changing the idea that arena food is simply nachos, hot dogs and beers. Indian Wells is serving up some global cuisine at very fair prices. And the selections are seemingly endless.

For a quick snack, you can get a simple fruit cup with flavored salt, like you’d find on a Mexico City street cart. Or perhaps a small quiche and salad are more to your liking for a fast bite.

Those wanting something more substantial have choices ranging from enormous   sandwiches served on 9” baguettes, to a gourmet picnic basket with your choice of European Deli meats, side dishes and beverages. Both are perfect for stretching out on the grass and watching the matches on the many large video displays scattered around the grounds.

If you crave a full entrée as part of their tennis experience, there is a wonderful skirt steak with a mustard glaze. 

“We tried it  before with a flank steak, and no one liked it,'' he said. "Now as a skirt steak, people cant get enough.”

The chef’s personal favorite entrée is what he calls simply, “Shrimp and Spaghetti.” It’s not that simple. The shrimp is sautéed with garlic and served over spaghetti mixed with zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes. 

“I’ve had it twice for dinner here and it’s only been four days.”

Individuals with health concerns and dietary restrictions need not worry, as there are options for food allergies, low-sodium diets, and even a selection of gluten-free snacks. Verdugo said it was a goal to provide gluten-free options for those who need it.

And those of us that still want that “hot dog at the game” experience, can rest assured that they can find their favorite sports snack. But this hot dog comes topped with a generous topping of perfectly spiced beef brisket and fried onions for an added crunch.

There’s no question that the food options at the BNP Paribas Open are a “grand slam event” by itself.