Chef, restaurateur and cookbook author, Guy Fieri will be joining Carnival Cruise Lines, Texas’ largest cruise operator and the Official Cruise Line of the Dallas Cowboys, for a Carnival Tailgate Takeover at the October 19 Cowboys game. Fieri, whose Guy’s Burger Joint dining venues are featured on select Carnival ships, will visit with tailgaters, and host a Burger Battle as part of the cruise line’s pre-game activities that also include a concert by country music superstars Rascal Flatts.

As part of Carnival’s multi-year partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, the cruise line’s “Fun Crew” tours the stadium lots on branded golf carts at all home games, offering exciting prizes to fans, including the chance to win one of many cruise vacation giveaways. At the October 19 game, Fieri will climb aboard with the crew to meet fans. He’ll also host Carnival’s Gameday Burger Battle, in which local contestants, working with chefs from Legends Hospitality, will create their best tailgate burger. Fieri will choose a grand-prize winner who will receive a Caribbean cruise for two on a Carnival Fun Ship.

“There’s nothing like cookin’ it up with family and friends at a big time tailgate party, so I’m stoked to be part of Carnival’s gameday experience,” said Guy Fieri, whose latest best-selling cookbook, “Guy on Fire” features outdoor cooking and tailgating recipes.

“We’re excited to have Guy along for the ride and part of our pre-game activities at the Cowboys game on October 19,” said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer of Carnival Cruise Lines.  “Whether talking to tailgaters or digging into some of North Texas’ best gameday burgers, Guy’s high energy will be a great match for the fans at the stadium.”

Fieri came onboard with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2011 to create the best burgers at sea in poolside eateries on select Carnival ships. Carnival Triumph, one of Carnival’s two Texas-based ships, features a Guy’s Burger Joint, as does the recently updated Carnival Freedom, which will be the third year-round Fun Ship to call Galveston home beginning in February 2015. The complimentary roadside-themed eateries offer guests fresh-off-the-grill burgers Guy’s way, a make your own toppings bar and hand-cut fries.

“We welcome Guy Fieri, as will Cowboys fans, who take great pride in their tailgating traditions week after week before kickoff,” said Jerry Jones Jr., executive vice president and chief sales & marketing officer of the Dallas Cowboys. “With Rascal Flatts and Guy on hand at AT&T Stadium, Carnival is creating even more memorable gameday experiences for attendees.”

For Cowboy’s fans with Big D appetites, Fieri suggests one of the secret menu items he developed for Guy’s Burger Joint on Texas-based ships. To create his “Big Tex” burger, grill up two burger patties with Super Melty Cheese. On a bun, add Donkey Sauce, thin pickles, and the burgers, followed by a scoop of roasted green chili salsa, lettuce, tomato and tortilla strips piled high.