Before Game 3 of the NBA Championship Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center, both teams are ensuring their players are well-prepared beyond the court, and Chef Alban Besiri plays a crucial role in this game plan.
Besiri, along with his wife Gena, opened Enoteca Italia in Oak Lawn during the pandemic and has seen remarkable success. Now, their restaurant has been chosen to cater pre-game and post-game meals for NBA teams on multiple occasions.
Besiri attributes his success to the quality of his food and the connections he’s made in Dallas and Chicago.
For the upcoming game, the Celtics have once again requested Besiri’s food, a testament to the restaurant’s reputation. Enoteca Italia will be serving both the Celtics on Wednesday and the Mavs on Friday.
Besiri emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, ensuring that every player’s preferences and allergies are carefully accounted for.
The menu for the Celtics includes a variety of protein and carb-rich dishes, from roasted chicken to handmade pasta and protein-packed meatballs.
Besiri maintains secrecy around specific player preferences, ensuring that their orders remain confidential.
Despite the extra workload, Enoteca Italia remains committed to providing great food and service to its customers while catering to the NBA teams.
Besiri views the recognition as a result of their hard work and dedication to delivering exceptional meals.
Even with the additional responsibility of preparing meals for the teams, Enoteca Italia will continue to operate as usual for its regular customers.
