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so, this is just coming together in a very preliminary fashion... but i think it would be safe to say that you can expect some sort of "Iron Chef" style competition at the ToxicBBQ this year.
it will follow the plan meee has drawn up for the similar competition that she will be running at the pacific northwest DCG campout which aligns with Japan Iron Chef rules...
1. participating 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.
2. sometime prior to this whole thing, contestants will be provided with a list of ten possibilities for the theme ingredient.
3. at a ceremony on the day of the ToxicBBQ (a time of 3:00 PM that thursday is presently being kicked around) the theme ingredient will be revealed (possibly in the convention lobby near registration or something, since the contest floor area isn't open)
4. 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. teams who are already packing a significant pantry and bar supplies may opt to skip any sort of a store trip and head straight for Sunset Park. be advised, however, that if any member of your team chooses to attend to other business before going to the park, no other team members may go there either. (well, you can go but you can't setup or start until all your team is there. 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)
i realize that this sort of a rule might favor vegas locals who are apt to have a larger stock of supplies on hand (or could run to their homes as opposed to waiting in line at Albertsons with everyone else and their dog). sorry... just have to live with that fact. inginuity, good planning, and access to a vehicle, coupled with an arrival at DefCon on Wednesday (which you should plan for anyway, heh) should be more than enough means to cancel out any advantage that locals may have.
5. there will be one hour for cooking and preparation of your dishes (assuming you took the first hour or hour and a half for shopping) all chef work will cease promptly at either 5:00 or 5:30 PM, depending on how rules are laid down.
6. 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.
7. 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)
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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. like in the other contest thread, i now eagerly await your input and any potential expressions of interest and participation.
digame.
it will follow the plan meee has drawn up for the similar competition that she will be running at the pacific northwest DCG campout which aligns with Japan Iron Chef rules...
1. participating 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.
2. sometime prior to this whole thing, contestants will be provided with a list of ten possibilities for the theme ingredient.
3. at a ceremony on the day of the ToxicBBQ (a time of 3:00 PM that thursday is presently being kicked around) the theme ingredient will be revealed (possibly in the convention lobby near registration or something, since the contest floor area isn't open)
4. 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. teams who are already packing a significant pantry and bar supplies may opt to skip any sort of a store trip and head straight for Sunset Park. be advised, however, that if any member of your team chooses to attend to other business before going to the park, no other team members may go there either. (well, you can go but you can't setup or start until all your team is there. 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)
i realize that this sort of a rule might favor vegas locals who are apt to have a larger stock of supplies on hand (or could run to their homes as opposed to waiting in line at Albertsons with everyone else and their dog). sorry... just have to live with that fact. inginuity, good planning, and access to a vehicle, coupled with an arrival at DefCon on Wednesday (which you should plan for anyway, heh) should be more than enough means to cancel out any advantage that locals may have.
5. there will be one hour for cooking and preparation of your dishes (assuming you took the first hour or hour and a half for shopping) all chef work will cease promptly at either 5:00 or 5:30 PM, depending on how rules are laid down.
6. 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.
7. 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)
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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. like in the other contest thread, i now eagerly await your input and any potential expressions of interest and participation.
digame.
I was robbed at gunpoint a few days ago and the SOB got away with $700 in cash. Needless to say I am doing whatever I can to hunt the fucker down. I will just plan for next year. Hope all goes well. Have fun and don't forget to pick up all those dropped packets.
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