Coca-Cola Brings on Chefs Aarón Sánchez and Roblé Ali to Talk Taste, Flavor and Variety of Meal Pairings
“Serve with a Coca-Cola” Celebrates how Coca-Cola’s Delicious Flavor Complements Any Meal
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Whether coupled with the salty crunch of tacos, the mouthwatering taste of a char-grilled steak, or a freshly made grilled chicken sandwich – a delicious, refreshing Coca-Cola® is the perfect complement to any plate. The recently launched campaign encourages gastronomy aficionados and novice foodies alike to “Serve with a Coca-Cola.”
The campaign aims to engage people in their love affair with food and the modern meal experience – from food halls to food trucks. “Serve with a Coca-Cola” features a new documentary-style television commercial that’s airing in English and Spanish nationwide and will extend throughout the year. Titled “Latin Food Feud,” Chef Aarón Sanchez as well as up-and-coming food truck owners, food bloggers and everyday foodies debate the most delicious ways to prepare Latin dishes paired with an ice-cold delicious Coke. The commercial welcomes people into bustling kitchens, restaurant dining rooms, legendary local restaurants and family households, highlighting the diversity of the nation’s people and its food culture.
Lighthearted and upbeat, the commercial doesn’t take sides on long-standing philosophical debates about things like flour versus corn tortillas – but rather shows that no matter which recipe or style you prefer, everyone can agree that it’s the ideal partner to an ice-cold Coca-Cola.
“Whether it’s Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Life, an ice-cold, delicious Coke takes any dish to the next level and makes meals more special,” said Stuart Kronauge, senior vice president of marketing for Coca-Cola North America. “The delicious flavor of Coca-Cola transcends cultures and language, and people from all walks of life can pair their favorite foods with a Coke.”
Two renowned chefs will help bring “Serve with a Coca-Cola” to life: celebrated Latin chef, restaurateur, philanthropist and television personality Aarón Sánchez and restaurateur, caterer and one of the country’s most notable African American chefs, Roblé Ali.
“From sharing an ice-cold Coke with my grandmother while she prepared family meals to thinking up the next savory dish I’m going to add to my restaurant menu, Coca-Cola has always played a role in my kitchens,” said Chef Aarón. “I’m proud to be partnering with Coca-Cola – it’s a brand that’s close to my heart, and I’m eager to work with Coca-Cola to show off its flavorsome versatility to people across the country.”
“I’ve been a big-time Coca-Cola fan my entire life. I’ve paired it with everything from BBQ to street-food, haute cuisine and everything in between for as long as I've been cooking. Of course this partnership is a natural fit for me,” said Chef Roblé. “I began cooking at a young age and have worked in quite a few kitchens before opening my own restaurant and catering company. Along the way, I’ve paired countless meals with Coke, and I think people will be excited to discover new foods and recipes they can pair it with, too.”
In addition to the television commercial, the fully integrated “Serve with a Coca-Cola” campaign will feature digital video, print, radio and out-of-home advertising and experiential activations at a variety of festivals and events in key markets across the country.
Earlier this year, the brand brought the “Coca-Cola Kitchen” to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami, Fla. Festival-goers and fans also enjoyed a taste of the campaign at the Coca-Cola Music concert during the March Madness® Music Festival, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Men’s Final Four® in Phoenix. Most recently, in partnership with Uber, pop-up dinners were held in Atlanta and in New Orleans, where Chef Aarón surprised attendees at the latter with a special dinner and drinks at his restaurant Johnny Sánchez. Throughout the year Coca-Cola will continue to offer up a variety of occasions where people can refresh themselves with a Coca-Cola and try the best dishes served with an ice-cold Coke.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company's portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia, Dasani, FUZE TEA and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
About Chef Aarón Sánchez
Sánchez is the co-star of Food Network’s hit series, Chopped, host of Cooking Channel’s Emmy-nominated Taco Trip, and chef/owner of Johnny Sánchez, an authentic Mexican restaurant with locations in New Orleans and Baltimore. He is also an active philanthropist having recently launched his own charitable organization – the Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Fund. The James Beard award-winner will celebrate his Mexican heritage through the art of cooking and demonstrate how Coke pairs well with meals across all cultures.
About Chef Roblé Ali
Chef Roblé Ali owns Roblé & Co., a catering business that is the subject of Bravo’s docudrama of the same name, and is a regular contributor on ABC’s The Chew. A life-long fan of Coca-Cola, Ali owns Williamsburg Brooklyn-located Streets, an eatery which combines the best aspects of street food with the high standards and inviting ambiance of a professional restaurant. Ali is passionate about creating new foods and pairing them with a refreshing Coke.
The Coca-Cola Company
Melina Baetti, 404-676-1533
mbaetti@coca-cola.com
or
Robert
Martinez, 305-532-7950 ext. 244
robert.martinez@newlink-group.com
Source: The Coca-Cola Company
Released May 1, 2017