Many actors and pop stars we idolize in modern media have hobbies outside their highly publicized careers, and for some celebrities, that means they possess serious culinary skills.

Matthew McConaughey revealed his now-famous tuna salad recipe last year (and later shared his method for making chicken salad), and Lady Gaga recently divulged the two-ingredient cocktail she enjoys with red wine. If you want to host like a Hollywood icon this fall, there’s one actor whose advice you might want to follow: Glen Powell.

The Twisters and Top Gun: Maverick star’s new, football-focused show Chad Powers premieres on Hulu on September 30, and the actor is embracing one of his other passions, food, to celebrate. On Friday, September 26, Powell and popular Southern fast food chain Raising Cane’s teamed up to host a pop-up screening of Chad Powers for fans in Los Angeles, with plenty of chicken fingers, of course.

Audiences can spot a Raising Cane’s Easter egg in the first episode of the new series, another nod to Powell’s appreciation for the connection between football, food, and entertainment in all formats. The actor sat down with Food & Wine to discuss everything from how he hosts a tailgate to what he’s cooking at home, sharing a few delicious tips that we’ll be returning to this fall.

Try to predict what your guests will need

For Powell, excellent entertaining is all about planning ahead. The Chad Powers star explains that “I feel like a good host always preempts people’s needs, so that’s what I always try to do. I don’t like to be reactive as a host. I like to forecast the future.”

If you’re hosting a holiday party, that kind of forethought might mean getting Gatorade for everyone at the end of the night or serving coffee with dessert in case anyone needs an energy boost after a big meal.

As a major football fan, Powell is no stranger to hosting tailgates. When he’s having people over after a game, the actor tells Food & Wine, “I always try to think of what people need. We’re coming back from the game. Everybody’s had a few drinks. What are people craving? What do I need at the house? What should get delivered as people are showing up?”

Host anywhere with outdoor cooking

Something about cooking outdoors makes whatever you whip up seem more impressive. Maybe it’s the low and slow method of a smoker that yields a greater depth of flavor in just about any dish, or perhaps it’s the visual appeal of searing ingredients over flames on a grill. Powell employs both techniques to impress guests and even takes his outdoor cooking skills on the road.

As the Chad Powers star recounts, “I’ve been on the road for a while. I get to grill out for people in London. I’ve got this Nomad Grill outside of my trailer that I use, and it’s fantastic.” When he’s at home in Texas, Powell still turns to outdoor cooking as his way to serve others. He tells Food & Wine, “I’m excited to get settled back in Austin and actually get a proper setup. I want my smoker and my grill and all that stuff.

“For game days — once I get really settled in Austin in the fall — anyone who knows me knows I just love cooking ribs. I love my smoker. I bought a smoker during COVID, and every time I fired up the smoker, obviously for hours, it became like this beacon for the whole neighborhood to stop by. It was really funny. It was like a smoke signal that always had people coming by the house to try new things out.”

Pay attention to the details

Powell notes that “I think my attention to detail in terms of marinades or rubs or any of that stuff comes from my love of cooking for people.” Putting effort into the basics of hosting, like how you season or marinate the food you’re making for others, is what really sets a meal apart.

It might be easier to think of it like this: Would you prefer a flavorful, well-seasoned piece of grilled chicken or a bland duck confit? One may seem more impressive, but if you don’t nail the details, it doesn’t matter.

Considering his love for flavor-boosting details, it’s no surprise Powell has teamed up with Raising Cane’s; it’s a brand that would rather do only one thing — chicken fingers — and do it perfectly.

Next time you’re hosting a tailgate or entertaining at home, try nailing Powell’s trifecta of tips: cook something outdoors, spend extra time perfecting details like seasoning, and anticipate a few things your guests might want besides the main dishes and usual drinks. It’s likely everyone will leave with rave reviews.