Many years ago, when I lived in Colorado, I had a group of friends I used to call “The Everybodys” and I don’t know if any of them read this blog or know that I used to call them that. I called them that because there was one time I was meeting some of these folks out and I asked one of these friends “who’s all coming?” and she replied “Everybody” and I said, “Well who specifically?” and she said “EVERYBODY” and maybe she rolled her eyes at me, but the eye-roll also might have been, like just something I was sensing. In my mind (and in reality) I was kind of on the periphery of this group. I was invited to all their parties and they came to all of mine, but I always felt like I had just missed the important conversation-that-just-happened-where-we-connected-on-this-deeper-level-and-was-the-funniest-thing-ever-cementing-our-friendship-forever-more-and-oh…hey…erin. Did any of that actually happen? who knows. {{hint: everybody knows}}
Okay…a reflection on my difficult twenties was not where I intended to take this post so let’s U-Turn outta here. But not before I mention WHY I bring up “The Everybodys”. “The Everybodys” were kind of insane and totally tumultuous. But fun. SO HERE IS REALLY WHY I AM EVEN TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THIS…a few of them engaged in a casual competition when we would BBQ. They called it “Masters of the Grill”. They would each marinate some type of meat or fish and grill that shit up and then everybody would get a taste (even me!) and someone would win. And have all the glory and whatnot of mastering the grill, fool. The truth is, maybe this only happened once, but it left an impact on me. I wanted to make it mine.
So last year when I was first coming up with my list of 40 things to do this year – this long ago friendly competition resurfaced in my memory. And #33 – Have a cooking contest throwdown with friends was born. Last weekend I was able to take what it was I liked about the “Masters” and introduce it to my grown-up friends. Let’s eat some good food. Let’s drink some good booze and let’s throwdown, Mother Truckers. And we did just that.
When I sent out the invite I was a little nervous that my peoples wouldn’t be that into the idea. But, oh, they were. About 12 people showed up for the Throwdown and upon arrival were given a letter to
represent their dish.
They ushered in to the dining room and were introduced to the drink of the night:
The Irish Redhead
- 1.5 oz Irish Whiskey
- 1/2 oz Grenadine
- 3 oz Sprite
- Squeeze of lime
A Master of Ceremonies was crowned
And the folks brought their best to the literal table (Thanks, Wynn for most of these pics!)
{{Not pictured: Arancini with sauce and brownies…}}
After trying everything (and drinking a lot)guests/competitors were asked to vote for just one small plate - and it couldn’t be their own. Once the votes were tabulated we had a tie! It would be Chocolate Bourbon Balls against the Arancini (Italian rice balls). Ball against Ball! A Ball off! Luckily my friends had brought their 10 year old son along and he’d offered to be the tie breaker. The maker of the Bourbon Balls figured there was no way she could win, because well…bourbon is an acquired taste. But apparently this 10 year old had acquired the taste! Let me introduce you to the first winner of the 1st annual Small Plates Cook-off ……Sarah P.!
What is that she’s holding you ask? Her trophy of course…
The (now) coveted Ladle of Glory!! Will she hold on to her title? Will all the entries at next year’s contest contain bourbon? Will I introduce a mixed drink category and sweep the votes? Only time will tell.
Congratulations to Sarah P on her win and a BIG THANK YOU to all my friends who helped me cross this one of the list. It was a blast.
