No matter your favorite sport, team or player, there’s one thing all fans can agree on: Tailgating is the perfect way to spend time with friends before the big game. Whether you go all out with a full spread in a tricked-out truck in the stadium parking lot or plan a smaller gathering around the backyard grill, great food is at the center of every successful game day party.

While packing up the truck for a tailgate party, be sure to bring lots and lots of food. Burgers, frankfurters and sausage are the most popular choices. Don’t forget the buns and condiments. To really impress your friends, toss some juicy steaks onto the grill.

Bring along disposable plates, cups, cutlery and napkins, plus garbage bags and paper towels for easy clean-up. Keep food safety in mind and keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold in coolers. Bring plenty of ice!

If you’re setting up a grill, you’ll need either charcoal or a full gas tank. Remember your lighter, spatula, tongs, meat thermometer and other grilling utensils and cooking supplies.

Also, be prepared for the elements with sunglasses and sunbloack or, if the forecast isn’t so sunny, ponchos and an umbrella. You may want a blanket or two, folding chairs, a table and seat cushions – all in the appropriate team colors, of course.

Kick-off Kabobs, made with Certified Angus Beef top sirloin, are the perfect party finger food. Their mouth-watering flavor will keep the crowd lining up at the grill for more. What’s more, small bites like these won’t fill you up or weigh you down as you cheer on your team.

Kick off the season, too, with delicious Certified Angus Beef Grilled Mini Burgers. These little beauties are simple to prepare, perfectly portable and sure to please even the pickiest palate.

Plus, beef is packed with enough protein and nutrients to prepare both athletes and armchair quarterbacks to tackle the afternoon’s big event.

Makes six servings

Deliciously Bold marinade (recipe below)

3/4 cup olive oil

3 large ripe tomatoes cut in half

6 ounces feta cheese

1/3 cup chopped fresh oregano

Rosemary, as needed, for garnish

6 metal skewers (note: if using bamboo skewers, soak in water 1 hour before assembling kabobs)

1 cup beef broth

2 tablespoons Cabernet Sauvignon

1 tablespoon Worcester-shire sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Place beef strips and marinade in zipper-locking plastic bag and refrigerate 2 hours. Roll each strip and thread onto skewers. Season with salt and pepper, and grill to desired doneness.

To serve, drizzle plate with olive oil and squeeze tomato halves over top. Tear tomatoes into pieces and place around the plate. Top with feta, fresh oregano and rosemary.

Makes four servings

2 large Portobello mushrooms, cleaned

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup canola oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 pound smoked mozzarella or cheddar cheese, sliced thin

12 mini buns or soft rolls

2 small vine-ripe tomatoes, sliced thin

1 roasted red pepper cut in strips, canned or fresh

1 head bibb lettuce, cleaned, separated

Marinate Portobello mushrooms in bal-samic vinegar and oil for 10 minutes and grill until just done; slice into thin strips.

Season ground chuck with salt and pepper, and portion into 2-ounce patties. Grill to 160 degrees internal temperature. Top with cheese and close grill to melt cheese slightly. Place patty on bottom bun and top with tomato, mushrooms, lettuce, red pepper and bun top.

According to a Tailgating.com survey of more than 5,000 tailgaters across the country, a pre-game party is a popular way to cheer on the home team.

•Six out of 10 tailgaters are between the ages of 25-44; almost 80 percent are men

•Most fans support a team within an hour’s drive of their home

•A whopping 95 percent prepare food at the stadium or tailgate site; the most popular cooking method is grilling

•The average tailgate party begins 3-4 hours before the game and most tailgaters plan gatherings 6-10 times per season

All materials are courtesy of Certified Angus Beef LLC. For more juicy beef recipes this and any season, visit www.certifiedangusbeef.com/recipes