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so, i'll be running the Titanium Chef Challenge again at the ToxicBBQ this year. we had three teams compete last time around and it kicked absolute ass. what's happening this summer? well, it's going to be same song, second verse...
teams will likely consist of one to three people. while one person may find him- or herself shorthanded, anything more than a three person team would just be pandemonium and cause a ruckus.
at 15:00 on thursday, the theme ingredient will be revealed in a small ceremony in front of the DefCon reg. area. teams will rally there, learn what they're tasked with cooking, get a supply of meat, and blast off.
teams will have about an hour (maybe an hour and a half) to come up with a plan, get together a list of ingredients, and make a run to necessary stores. people will meet at the TBBQ area in Sunset Park at 16:00 and start their cooking. you will be allowed to have team members arrive early to the BBQ space and perform preliminary setup and pre-heating, but no food may be brought into contact with flame, oil, etc. until all team members are present and accounted for. (there will be no "you run to the store to get spices, you run to the 7-11 to get ice, and i'll go start the steaks on the grill" sort of plans)
there will be one hour for cooking and preparation of your dishes. all chef work will cease promptly at 17:00 since the main BBQ event will be starting and TBBQ staff will need the grills.
teams will be in charge of creating four separate finished products: two distinct primary dishes featuring the theme ingredient, one side dish that compliments the meal, and one beverage. two notes...
finished products will take on two forms... one single "presentation" creation (food plated in the most creative and attractive manner, cocktail iced down and in a nice glass, side dish portioned well, etc.) and the rest will be made available simply in picnic style (large trays or pans are fine. beverage can be in either in factory bottles or in a pitcher)
a panel of judges will observe your presentation platter and sample your picnic offerings. after they've made their initial pass they will step back to write notes and fill out score cards. contestants' food will be judged on presentation, originality, and taste. all remaining food (and it would be nice if there is enough to really go around) will be made available to onlookers who wish to also try some.
scores will be added up and ranks given. in the event of any tie scores, audience applause may be employed... so do whatever you can to keep the crowd happy (plate on creative or hacker-themed settings, make an extra pitcher or two of your beverage, etc etc) since they may turn the tide.
this almost goes without saying, but folks should plan on the theme ingredient being something highly non-friendly to vegetarians. if you're thinking of asking to be a judge, keep that in mind. if you're some uber-militant vegan who can't even handle or assist in the cooking of meat products, it'd be best if you don't participate on one of the teams. (of course if you're that extreme what are you doing at the ToxicBBQ in the first place?) also it should be noted that there is a high likelihood of alcohol being part of the teams' final products, so under-21 folk may not be able to be official judges. of course crowd judges can sample whatever they wish and avoid anything that violates the law or their personal convictions.
more to come as things develop... but that's the story thus far. i now eagerly await your input and any potential expressions of interest and participation.
teams will likely consist of one to three people. while one person may find him- or herself shorthanded, anything more than a three person team would just be pandemonium and cause a ruckus.
at 15:00 on thursday, the theme ingredient will be revealed in a small ceremony in front of the DefCon reg. area. teams will rally there, learn what they're tasked with cooking, get a supply of meat, and blast off.
teams will have about an hour (maybe an hour and a half) to come up with a plan, get together a list of ingredients, and make a run to necessary stores. people will meet at the TBBQ area in Sunset Park at 16:00 and start their cooking. you will be allowed to have team members arrive early to the BBQ space and perform preliminary setup and pre-heating, but no food may be brought into contact with flame, oil, etc. until all team members are present and accounted for. (there will be no "you run to the store to get spices, you run to the 7-11 to get ice, and i'll go start the steaks on the grill" sort of plans)
there will be one hour for cooking and preparation of your dishes. all chef work will cease promptly at 17:00 since the main BBQ event will be starting and TBBQ staff will need the grills.
teams will be in charge of creating four separate finished products: two distinct primary dishes featuring the theme ingredient, one side dish that compliments the meal, and one beverage. two notes...
1. the side dish may incorporate the theme ingredient but certainly doesn't have to. the side dish shouldn't take too much of your team's time and resources. almost anything you care to toss together would be perfectly legal and satisfy the requirement... store-bought cold potato salad or sliced veggies and ranch dip would be fine. hell, a bag of chips would be legal even if they aren't likely to garner many originality points. naturally if your main dishes are steak and fajitas, something like sautéed mushrooms or baked potatoes would be a better side dish than fish balls or escarole soup.
2. the beverage need not be alcoholic in nature but it will most certainly generate judges' approval if it is. it may be a store-bought item that goes well with the meal (a fine beer or properly-chosen wine perhaps) or a custom cocktail that you mix up right there.
2. the beverage need not be alcoholic in nature but it will most certainly generate judges' approval if it is. it may be a store-bought item that goes well with the meal (a fine beer or properly-chosen wine perhaps) or a custom cocktail that you mix up right there.
finished products will take on two forms... one single "presentation" creation (food plated in the most creative and attractive manner, cocktail iced down and in a nice glass, side dish portioned well, etc.) and the rest will be made available simply in picnic style (large trays or pans are fine. beverage can be in either in factory bottles or in a pitcher)
a panel of judges will observe your presentation platter and sample your picnic offerings. after they've made their initial pass they will step back to write notes and fill out score cards. contestants' food will be judged on presentation, originality, and taste. all remaining food (and it would be nice if there is enough to really go around) will be made available to onlookers who wish to also try some.
scores will be added up and ranks given. in the event of any tie scores, audience applause may be employed... so do whatever you can to keep the crowd happy (plate on creative or hacker-themed settings, make an extra pitcher or two of your beverage, etc etc) since they may turn the tide.
this almost goes without saying, but folks should plan on the theme ingredient being something highly non-friendly to vegetarians. if you're thinking of asking to be a judge, keep that in mind. if you're some uber-militant vegan who can't even handle or assist in the cooking of meat products, it'd be best if you don't participate on one of the teams. (of course if you're that extreme what are you doing at the ToxicBBQ in the first place?) also it should be noted that there is a high likelihood of alcohol being part of the teams' final products, so under-21 folk may not be able to be official judges. of course crowd judges can sample whatever they wish and avoid anything that violates the law or their personal convictions.
more to come as things develop... but that's the story thus far. i now eagerly await your input and any potential expressions of interest and participation.
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