Maxwell Studios and Manchester City Unite Culinary Arts with Football Culture in Groundbreaking Collaboration
On June 12, Maxwell Social, a Manhattan social club and event venue, unveiled its internal creative studio with the launch of Flavors of Football.
This gathering, organized in collaboration with Manchester City, Mundial Partners, and Asahi, represents an initiative by organizers David Litwak, David Bettenhausen, and Chris Savino to cultivate and expand a soccer enthusiast community within the city. The venue was decorated with Manchester City branding while a television in the back area displayed memorable moments from the club's achievements over the past ten years.
Taking place just seven days before Manchester City's Club World Cup campaign commenced in America, attendees could sense the anticipation surrounding the tournament. Participants also took home Manchester City's latest Club World Cup jersey featuring a special commemorative patch from the occasion.
The gathering showcased a culinary presentation featuring former Manchester City defender and Premier League winner Joleon Lescott alongside chef Ana Sofia Fehn. The event drew an elegant mix of Manchester City supporters and football enthusiasts from various backgrounds.
During the preparation of ricotta gnocchi, Fehn and Lescott engaged in conversation about his professional football journey and his dietary preferences both during his playing days and currently. After the demonstration concluded, attendees sampled portions of the dish before the venue transformed into a celebration featuring music and beverages.
This gathering underscores the continuing fascination with Premier League soccer, and European football generally, across America, particularly with this year's Club World Cup and the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Lescott recognizes the undeniable expansion happening in the United States, sharing his thoughts with Sports Illustrated during the event.
"Throughout the years, there's been obvious growth in the quality of MLS and American soccer, plus improved accessibility," he explained. "Yesterday we attended a community gathering where I learned that some regions still lack access to proper playing fields like we have back in England.
"That revelation was quite surprising, but the passion has definitely increased and is evident. Supporters are very dedicated and developing into a devoted following, with Manchester City's American fanbase continuously expanding."
The former England national team player drew parallels between international soccer supporter cultures and American college football enthusiasts, noting the similarities between both groups.
Initiatives such as Flavors of Football, which Maxwell plans to extend to other sports, along with the Club World Cup, exemplify the cultural development occurring in New York. This summer will also see Manchester United, Everton, Bournemouth, and West Ham United participate in the Premier League Summer Series—a preseason tournament—at MetLife Stadium, the same venue scheduled to host both Club World Cup and World Cup championship matches, though it has faced considerable criticism regarding its playing conditions.