Overview

The Sacramento Kings, in collaboration with Delta Dental of California, recently honored six local small businesses during the Tip Off Tastes celebration. This initiative, which debuted in the Kings' inaugural season, showcases Sacramento's culinary diversity by featuring local restaurants in pop-up concessions at the Golden 1 Center during home games.

Tip Off Tastes aims to provide small business owners with a platform to connect with the community while highlighting the importance of local cuisine in Sacramento's culture. The celebration included recognition of participating restaurants and a financial contribution to support their growth.

Key details

  • The event took place on April 30, 2026.
  • Six local small businesses were celebrated as part of the Tip Off Tastes program.
  • The participating restaurants included Creole Soul, Maria's Paella, Mecha Mucho, Séka Hills, Spoon and Fork, and Tai Pan.
  • Each restaurant received a customized Kings jersey.
  • Delta Dental provided financial contributions to the participating businesses to aid in their growth.
  • Maria Perez from Maria's Paella reported a significant increase in demand following their pop-up, raising production from 3,000 to 5,000 empanadas weekly.
  • The initiative is part of a broader partnership between the Kings and Delta Dental to support local entrepreneurs.
  • Brian Sherman from Delta Dental emphasized the role of small businesses in community strength and culture.
  • Sacramento Kings President John Rinehart highlighted the importance of food in the community and the Kings' commitment to uplifting local businesses.
  • The program builds on previous initiatives like Kings Pop-Up Kitchen and Capitalize: Food.
  • Tip Off Tastes reflects a commitment to cultural diversity and community impact through culinary experiences.
  • The Kings and Delta Dental aim to create unique experiences for fans while spotlighting local culinary talent.

Context

The Tip Off Tastes initiative aligns with the Sacramento Kings' ongoing efforts to engage with the local community and promote small businesses, which are vital to the region's economic landscape.

What happens next

Following the success of the Tip Off Tastes program, it is anticipated that the Kings and Delta Dental will continue to explore opportunities to support local culinary entrepreneurs and enhance community engagement through similar initiatives.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding future iterations of the Tip Off Tastes program and the specific financial contributions made to each business have not been confirmed.