15-04-2025
Take a peek behind the scenes of Covenant Health Park's kitchens
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — There's a lot of equipment behind the hot dog, barbecue, or pizza you might enjoy while watching a Knoxville Smokies game at Covenant Health Park, and the brand new shiny kitchens with state-of-the-art equipment are a chef's dream, according to the stadium's executive chef.
The Executive Chef at Covenant Health Park, Aaron Gonnelly, guarantees some mouth watering food at the ballpark. Kitchen workers were busy preparing for the opening game. The food being prepared is not just hot dogs – the ballpark's concession company has built menus from the ground up.
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'These guys back here are working on the smoke house and our picnic prep. Our first and third place terraces will have picnic (areas) like in Kodak,' said Gonnelly. 'Thousands of pounds of pork, thousands of pounds of briskets. Lots of cold slaw, potato salad. All made here on site.'
Ballpark Bites is one of the premier kitchens serving traditional hot dogs, chicken tenders and all the pizza, soda, and sweets that you can wolf down.
'Hot dogs and popcorn are going to be at all of our concession stands. We have a couple of portables here that are going to have specialty dogs. We focus on our fresh, local and specialty ingredients, our specialty sandwiches. We are not just selling hot dogs and cold beer,' Gonnelly said.
Dare added, 'Yes, but I can't go without Cracker Jacks.' Gonnelly confirmed, saying there will be 'Cracker Jacks everywhere.'
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Knox Smoque, another premier kitchen, is equipped with state of the art cookers.
'We are going to do a lot of briskets. It's a lot of homemade brisket, homemade pork. We are super excited about this piece of equipment right here,' Gonnelly said.
The Local Market is set up for snack and grab items. For a taste of fun for the kids, there is Dippin' Dots. Barley's at the park serves Knoxville style pizza, and at the Coop 865 premier kitchen, there's chicken, chicken, and more chicken.
'This is Coop 865, this is our chicken concept. We have our Knoxville hot chicken, we've got chicken and waffles. Chicken mac and cheese. Chicken tender basket. So anything you want with chicken, right here at this stand,' Gonnelly said.
On the Vulcan flat top, buns will be warmed up, and cooks will pass through food to the front cashiers.
'Your cashier from concessions will be able to grab sandwiches, platters, whatever, turn around with your ice cold beer and [you're] on your way to the game,' Gonnelly explained.
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The Ultra Backstop Bar is likely a place where a lot of people will gather to quench their thirst.
'We have five individual work stations. We are going to have two frozen beverage machines and a full liquor service bar. You turn right around and you have home plate right next to you here. How much of a better bar can you really get here?' Gonnelly said.
Every chef's dream is to have all that brand new equipment. Being able to walk around the concourse and have everything shiny, brand new and state-of-the art is going to be something that is excellent to this park.
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You'll need to bring a credit or debit card, as no cash will be exchanged. The menu board features reasonable prices, for a ballpark. If you want a cheesesteak it's on the menu.
There are direction board points to your favorite food spot, so you're not running around in circles, plus Chef Gonnelly knows what people want from barbecue sauce to hotel toothpicks.
'This is what Knoxville needs. I mean this is the hottest thing in Knoxville right now. Everybody has been talking about it for two to three years. Being a part of the opening team on inaugural week is so exciting here in town,' Gonnelly said.
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