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Brian Poe’s Burrito Bowl returning for its fifth year – Metro US

Brian Poe’s Burrito Bowl returning for its fifth year

Brian Poe’s Burrito Bowl returning for its fifth year
Michael Piazza

The Burrito Bowl will kick off at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake for its fifth annual showdown of culinary contenders and their burrito best. Each chef is paired with an NFL team ahead of the next day’s Super Bowl 50 and tasked with creating a burrito bowl inspired by their respective team’s city.

Rattlesnake owner (and BB founder) Chef Brian Poe will host reigning champ Julie King of Villa Mexico repping the Dallas Cowboys and Burrito Bowl II winner Andy Husbands, who took on the Kansas City Chiefs to align with his upcoming barbecue concept in Kendall Square, The Smoke Shop. Also up for the win: El Centro’s Allan Rodriguez (Patriots), El Pelón’s Jim Hoben (Rams), Commonwealth’s Steve “Nookie” Postal (Dolphins), Naco Taco’s Amanda Howell (Eagles), LOCO Taqueria & Oyster Bar’s Matt Drummond (Cardinals) and Poe’s own Tip Tap Room’s Emmett Ledbetter (Broncos).

Poe won’t compete himself — though in past years he repped the Atlanta Falcons — but he’s still sizing up his contenders in this year’s match.

“I’m not nervous but I’m a little curious about what to expect,” he says. “Husbands is repping the Smoke Shop and the boy’s good. He’s won nationally for his IQUE BBQ.”

IQUE BBQ, of course, being Husbands’ barbecue team that took home the Jack Daniels World Championship in 2010 and a first place prize at the Kansas City Royal in 2007.

Poe doesn’t think restaurants that feature burritos on their menus have any particular edge, since the push to think outside the box brings out each chef’s creative flair. “It’s as much a gamble as who lands in the actual Super Bowl,” he says, adding: “Though I’d like it to be the Patriots.”

Zagat’s Scott Kearnan, Tom “@BostonTweet” O’Keefe and “Dining Playbook” co-host Jenny Johnson will play referees and a people’s choice and overall winner will be named for the title supreme.

Burrito Bowl rolls out Feb. 6 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, 384 Boylston St., Boston. Tickets are $20 and 21+ at burritobowl5.eventbrite.com.