Energy was high at coach Gene Chizik's weekly visit to Ariccia for the Auburn ISP Sports Network's weekly radio show, Tiger Talk.
At 5:30 p.m. every Thursday night before a home game, Auburn fans have a chance to enjoy traditional Italian cuisine with Chizik at Ariccia, the Italian restaurant located inside the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center.
Other coaches occasionally participate as well.
Audience members are able to ask Chizik questions directly. Callers are also given the opportunity to call in and talk with the coach.
Last week's topics included the win at Mississippi State, ESPN GameDay being on campus, the game plan for Clemson and Chizik's thoughts on the blue-out.
An audience member stepped up to the microphone to ask a question, and Chizik addressed him by name, thanking him for returning to Tiger Talk week after week.
Claire Cawthorne, freshman in animal science, has worked at Ariccia as a hostess for a month and has attended two Tiger Talks.
"It's just such a good atmosphere--everyone is so excited about the games coming up," Cawthorne said. "It's a very 'war eagle' feeling."
Tiger Talk is a joint partnership between Auburn University, Auburn ISP Sports Network and the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center.
Televisions and speakers broadcast the radio show throughout the restaurant. The show is also affiliated with a number of radio stations around the Southeast.
Chizik and Rod Bramblett, Auburn football's play-by-play radio announcer, sat on a stage at the front of the restaurant for the broadcast, visible to most of the main dining room.
There is limited visibility of the coach--only about 15 tables are set up in front of the stage--but there are televisions in the bar area and the private dining room that allow more guests to view the broadcast.
Ariccia's executive assistant manager Arif Kor loves the event and encourages everyone to come experience the excitement and good food.
"We encourage everyone to come before and after the show," Kor said. "We have lots of space on the patio and bar areas. People can come get appetizers or cocktails if they don't want the buffet."
Each week, an Italian-cuisine buffet is offered for $17.95 per person. The buffet opens at 5:30 p.m. and closes at 8 p.m.
The buffet includes a salad station, complete with cheeses, meats, fresh vegetables, fresh-baked breads and pizza, as well as traditional Italian specialties, such as lasagna, penne pasta and spaghetti. For dessert there is a selection of homemade cakes, cheesecakes and more.
"Knowing that 70 percent of our clients are regulars, we don't want them to come back and have the same thing," Kor said. "So we actually have four different rotations."
Ariccia also offers catering services for tailgating events.
In light of ESPN's GameDay being on campus, the atmosphere at last week's Tiger Talk was "electric," as described by many attendees.
Hans Van de Reijden, the hotel's general manager, described the feeling in Auburn as being that of the Iron Bowl weekend.
"My favorite part of Tiger Talk is seeing the excitement in the guests' eyes," Kor said. "The employees also get so excited about setting this up, and it is good to see everyone so excited and happy, especially when the team is doing well."
Because of the popularity of the event, the staff recommends making reservations by calling 334-844-5140.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
