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The NachOlympics are a combination of nachos and Olympics. Held on the final day of the 2008 Beijing Olympics the NachOlympics use food to focus our attention away from the boosterism of Team USA and embrace the many other countries competing for gold.
Each participant creates a plate of nachos based on the foods of their chosen countries. The results are then judged on a 0 - 10 rating system, with up to two decimal points (highest and lowest scores are eliminated, modeled after the Olympic Trampoline event).
Dave (center) chose the hopeful 2012 country of The Republic of Texas and took the gold medal with his frito pie. Katie's (left) Cuban Nachos, with a base of fried polenta topped with rice, avocado, beans, lime, and other toppings. Bronze went to dalas (right) and his conceptual Ethiopian Nachos which was a purchased plate of delicious Ethiopian food poured over some tortilla chips. The scores between bronze and silver were just 0.004 points.
Curt and Molly's Australia came in 4th and was a crowd favorite with the English-inspired toppings of baked beans, tomato sauce, and fried egg. Lauren's Jamaican Nachos would have won Best In Show had presentation been a part of the judging. Her jerked veggie chicken, black beans, avocado, and cheese formed the image of the Jamaican flag! Judah and Sarah chose Spain and created a thick handmade Spanish tortilla topped with aioli (and served with delicious sangria).
The bottom of the rankings included Mike's awkward attempt at Japanese Nachos, consisting of wasabi flavored rice chips, with canned Alaskan pink salmon and shredded nori, covered in a sauce made of vegannaise and sriracha and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. It tasted better than it looked, but still was only 7th place. Another strong conceptual contender was Willow's Irish Nachos which used a potato chip base topped in baked beans and a fancy Irish cheddar cheese. In last place was the typical American style nachos of tortilla chips and cheese sauce. It was deservedly last place.
At the risk of jeopardizing our vegetarian credentials we just had to chronicle a recent cooking demonstration we sat in on last weekend at the annual Bug Fair at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. The weekend insect festival is mostly a hold-the-tarantula affair where little kids still in their gross-out phase, and goth ladies with centipede tattoos, can marvel at nature’s creepiest.
For shock value, this year they hosted a bug cooking demonstration and a cockroach eating contest with the hardly-renowned cookbook author David Lowell Gordon. He’s sort of like the token stupid-insects-trick guest for talk shows. The highlight was definitely not the cooking: the “centipede pasta” was cold Ragu sauce laced with one bug, the “grasshopper kebabs” were barely cooked at all. But seeing four elementary school-aged kids scarfing down 10 whole, oven-baked American cockroaches to win an iPod, now that’s good, clean fun.
You may remember a Hot Knives post from back in February when we competed in one of the most amazing cooking contests there is: the 4th 2nd Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational. Well, our good buddy Drew, who is currently undergoing shock therapy in journalism school to try and kill his sense of humor, finally wrapped up production on his 3-minute documentary on the subject.
Although it’s ostensibly on the event in general, he used our desire to conquer the desert category to cue the proverbial heartstrings, as it were. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll really want a sandwich.
The finish line results are all here. Peep other photos here. And starting training for the 4th 3rd Annual GCI now.
Looking for the IFOCE coverage? We moved it from the food blog Digest to the sports blog True Fan.
You can find all the past entries on Digest here.
You can find all the future entries on True Fan here.
After just missing the wild card slot, Erik Denmark was finally able to make his dream come true of making it to the Nathan's table tomorrow, July 4th. He competed in three qualifiers before this one, held today before the Brooklyn Cyclone's game in Coney Island, and came determined to win. And win he did, with an impressive 22.5 HDBs. He competed against eating legends Jammin' Joe LaRue, Don "Moses" Lerman, and Krazy Kevin, but nothing was keeping this Seattlite from earning his place at the 2006 Nathan's competition. Helping him along were other Nathan's eaters, including Rich LeFevre, Pat Bertoletti, Hall Hunt, Bob Shoudt, and Crazy Legs (there as a guest judge), who were parked right up front and shouting encouraging words to all the eaters throughout.
Pics from the qualifier are here, along with some from the weigh-in held earlier in the day.
The South Street Seaport qualifier in New York City is traditionally the last one before Nathan's (barring any random Thai qualifiers thrown into the mix). It's reserved for civil workers of the city, so most people consider this a qualifier that "belongs" to Eric "Badlands" Booker, a conductor for the 7 train and ninth ranked eater in the world. Before this was Badlands' qualifier, it was "Hungry" Charles Hardy's, who retired from eating this year to become Commissioner for the IFOCE, and who is now more widely known as "The Godfather." A rapper, a musician, and the the man who gave power to the words "hungry and focused," Eric ate a personal best at Tuesday's qualifier and will be joining his competitive eating peers at the big table in a week.
Give us the quick lowdown on the event:
The mood was very live, upbeat, and happy, about 500 to 1000 people came out on their lunch break to the South St. Seaport to see Badlands and their other favorite city workers face off with some hot dogs hoping to win a seat at the big show! The Event was held outside adjacent to the South Street Seaport Mall on a big sound stage. George Shea was the Head Emcee along with a couple of other officials, (one on the stage and one in training) and the IFOCE Commissioner, Charles Hardy "The Godfather" was on hand as IFOCE Official Head Judge. I did an a cappella rap of "Back In The Flesh" which is track #4 off the "Hungry & Focused II - The Ingestion Engine CD" (Which is now available on iTunes!), and also did a beat box while George grabbed the mic and did a rendition of an easy listening song which caught the crowd totally off guard but thoroughly enjoyed! George called up the eaters; there were about 12 amateur eaters, ranging from police officers, firemen, EMS workers, and other vital city employees such as clerical workers and so on. Great eaters such as Eater X, and Crazy Legs Conti was also in attendance. As the contest was about to start, I could feel this was going to be a good day. I got into my zone by listening to some upbeat music on my iPod, and at the end, Frank Fumanante (I think that's how he spells his last name) ate 10 to get 3rd, John Scrafani (I think that his last name spelling, as well) ate 12 to place 2nd, and I was victorious eating 30 and 1/2 HDBs.
This is widely considered "your" qualifier. Are you ever nervous about not winning?
I always come with my game face on, I've learned from experience (Kobayashi in 2001, I was right next to him when he ate 50 for the 1st time) not to underestimate any rookies. This qualifier I was determined to win because it was the last qualifier. If I don't win this one, I don't get in.
How did this qualifier compare to ones you've done in the past? How did your performance feel in comparison to past performances?
I felt really good about this qualifier. I've trained more diligently for this one than in the past now that the competition has gotten better. Now I just have to fine tune my weak points that I've learned yesterday, and come at my very best on the 4th.
Tell us something funny or unusual that happened during this qualifier.
-There was a Group of fans from Germany visiting NYC and he came over to me and shouted "BADLANDS WE LOVE YOU IN GERMANY!" "YOU'RE MY HOT DIGGITY DOGGER!" I smiled and said, "Thanks," and gave them a CD.
-Also when I showed up, there was acCop named Reggie who competed last year that was looking hungry & focused, and when he saw me, he said, "Oh, i guess its time to go home now." I was like, "Naw man, don't be like that, anything could happen in this sport, that's the beauty of it." Then his confidence comes back and he says, "Yeah, and I ate 20 in a training run in 6 minutes"! I'm like "Wow, really?" Then he fessed up and says, "Naw, just kidding!"
Any predictions about what will happen at Coney Island? Is this the year Kobayashi will be unseated?
Kobayashi is the greatest, most scrupulous person I've ever met. He's also very resilient in the face of adversity. I admit he has his work cut out for him because this year America is focused especially Joey "Jaws" Chestnut. In my opinion, I think Joey is capable of unseating Kobayashi, but Koby will adapt accordingly. So may the best gurgitator prevail.
Batman is reality, Superman is fantasy, So I say BATMAN.
It was a mad race for the wild card slot this year. After all the qualifiers are complete, a wild card slot is alloted to the eater who has the highest average of hot dogs eaten over the course of three qualifiers (and who also didn't come in 1st place, obviously.) Going into Saturday's qualifiers, the race was really on between Hall Hunt and Erik "The Red" Denmark, who had also showed promising numbers. In the end, though, it was Hall who pulled ahead. With 18 HDBs in Sunrise, FL, 20.375 in Norfolk, VA, and 17.5 in Atlanta, GA, his average came to 18.625 HDBs. Erik trailed by only a bit, coming in with an average around 17 HDBs. (I am sorry, but does it get more heartbreaking than this?) But surprises are around every corner. The IFOCE announced today that another qualifier will take place on the 3rd, open to all Thai citizens (don't ask) and eaters who have competed in at least one qualifier this year.
Hall Hunt is holding his wild card position close to his heart. After failing to win a spot last year, the devout eater said he prayed about getting in this year, and he couldn't be happier about this prayer getting answered.
Tell us about the qualifier.
There was a large number of ranked eaters that showed up in Atlanta. I hope I can remember them all and I am sorry if I forget anyone. The people I remember off the top of my head were: Patrick Bertoletti, Sam Vise, Dale Boone, Bubba, Larry, and Super Paul. A few others I talked to were "the hangman", Peter Parker, some dude dressed as the pope, and a few others. The mood was pretty friendly and relaxed. All the eaters were chatting with each other and meeting all the first-timers and newcomers. I think everyone was excited to hear stories from other eaters, like where they were from, and what contests they had competed in before. The stage was set up in a large tent at the zoo where there were by my estimation a few hundred people including zoo patrons, family, friends, and a few media personnel. One of the cameras was from National Geographic, which I thought was fitting since the contest was at the zoo. I think this was a coincidence however. From what I remember Patrick won with 33, Sam Vise ate 20, Dale ate 18, I ate 17.5, Bubba around 15, Larry maybe 13.5, and I don't remember the rest. Please someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that is about how it went.
Did you feel good coming into this competition? Did you train? Did this qualifier feel different from your last?
I felt great coming into the contest. I did practice some leading up to the contest, but I am still working on technique. I feel my technique can be improved with some fine tuning. This qualifier did seem different than the past ones. I am not sure why, but I could not get my speed up and get into my rhythm. It was just one of those days. Lord willing, I can figure out what the problem is and overcome it.
Tell us something funny or unusual that happened during this qualifier.
If I must talk about some controversy/something funny that happened, the obvious topic would be Patrick and Dale messing with each other. Patrick ended up dressing as Dale for the contest and came out with a doll dressed up as Dale. Patrick was carrying the doll by a small noose and was ringing a cow bell to mock Dale. Larry the Legend
was also holding up a sign that said something like "Dale+hot dogs=reversal". I think you can find pictures of this here.
Any thoughts on Pat Bertoletti's chance on the 4th? Any predictions about what will happen at Coney Island? Is this the year Kobayashi will be unseated?
I think Patrick will end up getting 3rd or 4th place overall at Coney. My completely random prediction will be that Joey eats about 60 hot dogs and buns and Takeru has a reversal of fortune trying to keep up with Joey.
Last question:
The season I prefer the most is SUMMER! I get to put on my swimsuit and go to the beach!
The Atlanta qualifier, one of three that took place on Saturday, turned out to be quite an event. Not only was Pat Bertoletti attending after unexpectedly losing to Chip Simpson in Minnesota, but the notorious bad boy of competitive eating, Dale "Mouth of the South" Boone (known for his smack talk and cow bell-ringing), showed up, marking his return from a sabbatical in India. Additionally, Hall Hunt came in to make his final bid at the wild card slot and eat against Larry "The Legend" McNeil and Loren "Bubba" Yarbrough. This was one jam-packed event! Perhaps given the amount of people and the antics that ensued, it was fitting that the qualifier was held at the Atlanta Zoo.
Pat Bertoletti, who was determined to sit at the big table at Coney, ate 33 HDBs to win (one more than he ate in Minnesota). At this rate, it's looking like he'll place strongly on the 4th.
We got to talk to Georgia local, "Bubba" Yarbrough, who gave us a behind-the-scenes look at one of the last qualifiers of the year.
Who attended this qualifier?
The participants included Larry The Legend, Patrick Bertoletti, Sam Vise, Super Paul Barlow, The Hangman (?), Hall Hunt, and some guy dressed like the Pope.
Talk to us a bit about the return of Dale Boone and the effect of his appearance at this qualifier.
Dale Boone usual turned the event into the Dale Boone show, he hurled insults and threats at myself, Pat, and Chip Simpson, who was there as a guest judge. Verbal barbs were thrown, but mostly he was ignored.
Did you feel good coming into this competition? Did you train?
Going into the event I felt like a million bucks; I was hungry and focused. My training regiment had been abbreviated so I didn't get as much training time as I would have liked, but I still felt good.
Tell us something funny or unusual that happened during this qualifier.
The funniest things that happened, unfortunately, revolved around Dale Boone. Pat Bertoletti, in response to Dale talking smack in the previous week, had prepared for Dale to show his ass. Pat turned the tables on Dale and dressed up in overalls ringing a cow bell, all the while dragging Dale in effigy up to the stage. He then held up the Dale doll by a hangman's noose as the crowd cheered. Larry "The Legend" held up a homemade sign that read "Boone+Hotdogs=Reversal" The crowd was booing Dale the whole time he was going into his antics. Also an eater dressed up in a really good Pope costume.
Any predictions about what will happen at Coney Island? Is this the year Kobayashi will be unseated?
I predict the Pat Bertoletti will eat over 40 on July 4th. The guy didn't even break a sweat and it looked like he was cruising at the end he made it look easy. I will also predict that Joey Chestnut will win the contest by 3 hot dogs, as I have said all along.
Last question:
Neither, I go commando!!
Jed Donahue, who holds the world record for jalapenos at 152 in 15 minutes, fought his way through the San Francisco qualifier on Saturday with 19.5 hot dogs to earn a spot at Coney Island. This will be his second time at the big table, the first time being 8 years ago when Japanese eater Hirofumi Nakajima swept everyone away. Donahue tried to qualify in San Fran last year and lost to Joey Chestnut...20.5 to Joey's 21. What a difference a year makes! Jed fought tooth and nail against Erik "The Red" Denmark, another eater who was also determined to secure a win or a number high enough to earn him the wild card slot. (If our numbers are correct, it looks like Hall Hunt beat out Erik for that coveted final wild card position.)
Jed credits another recent event in his life for the edge over Erik: "I got married two weeks ago to Erica Sikorski, so maybe she brought me good luck and I won today by a half."
C'mon, people: awww!
We caught a few words with the man of the hour.
Give us the quick lowdown on the event.
A smallish crowd and somewhat cold and foggy (classic San Francisco summer). A stage in front of Century Theater in Daly City, CA. Nacho Libre was packing them in. The neat-eating competition was a hit, but there were no dachshunds dressed as hot dogs like last year. I won with only 19.5 and the passionate and determined Erik "The Red" Denmark came in with 19. I think Ron Koch ate 14 or 15. Not sure about him. He was coming off sunstroke and I think that affected him.
Rich LeFevre and Carlene were there to throw support towards all the competitors. Carlene's mom also lives in the area. Joey Chestnut was also there for interviews and to support all the eaters. It showed a lot of class for them to be there and their cheering was appreciated.
Eddie Dunn was great on the mike and made a reference to the two brothers in the contest. He said "they were joined by a hot dog at birth and were successfully separated by surgery, but will always have that bond between them."
How did you feel about your chances going into this qualifier?
I thought I had a 50-50 chance between me and Erik Denmark. If Bertoletti had showed, my chances were about 5%. Thank goodness he chose Atlanta.
Did things go like you expected, or were there some surprises?
I wanted to hit 20 at least, but I was next to Denmark and stayed one ahead of him throughout the contest. I followed his pace and made sure I didn't even come close to a reversal. It was OK in my mind to eat just enough to win. Erik is a great competitor and I wish him luck in his eating endeavors.
Tell us something funny or unusual that happened during this qualifier.
The only thing I can thing I can think of is that the Nathan's rep said we had to eat at least 18 to go to Coney. I always thought that if you win a qualifier, you get to go regardless of the total. I asked for clarification, and he basically said that regardless of winning, you had to eat at least 18 and win to go this year. I guess this is a new rule.
Any thoughts on the San Fran winner's chance on the 4th? Any predictions about what will happen at Coney Island? Is this the year Kobayashi will be unseated?
If there's 20 eaters, I will certainly be in the bottom half. Hot dogs is not my strength. I hope and think that Kobe will go down this year. My money is on Joey and I'm stoked that I get to see it live and in person.
Finish this sentence: If I could change one thing about the Nathan's qualifiers...
There would be more of them. There's lots of Nathan's around the country and it's expensive to travel all over. Logistics are tough though.
Last question:
Pat Philbin was able to reserve a place at the Nathan's table after taking the Molly Pitcher qualifier on Friday with 22.5 HDBs. At the Hartford qualifier Pat was able to eat a cool 25 HDBs, but it wasn't enough to get him to the 4th. If he didn't win at Molly Pitcher he was hoping for a wild card, but he doesn't have to worry about that now. Now he just needs to sit back, take it easy, and prepare for what is shaping up to be a ferocious battle at Coney.
Give us the quick lowdown on the event:
In attendance was me, Allen "Shredder" Goldstein, Don "Moses" Lerman, "Beautiful" Brian Seiken, Kevin Lipnicki and a few newcomers that did very well, along with Tim "Eater X" Janus, "Crazy legs" Conti and "Krazy" Kevin Lipsitz serving as celebrity judges, also on hand was Wendy The Snapple Lady...truly a "Star-Studded" crowd! The mood was festive and friendly, while the weather was hot and humid. I won with 22.5 HDBs, "Shredder" was on my heels the whole contest and finished with 20.5
How did you feel about your chances going into this qualifier? How did you train? Will you be cleansing your system with egg whites again?
I felt confident that I'd at least get the wild card spot even if I didn't win the contest. I've been doing minimal water training while trying to lose weight (I've lost 20lbs. since the Hartford qualifier) and most of my meals have been scrambled eggs made with 12-18 egg whites, a couple yolks and 2% milk, occasionally I'll have a burger or some other "normal" food.
Did things go like you expected, or were there some surprises?
I thought maybe Pat Bertoletti might show up to "Piss on my Parade" but I lucked out! I was a little disappointed in my totals, other than that, no big surprises.
Tell us something funny or unusual that happened during this qualifier.
I caught the "reversal" (a softball-sized chunk of chewed HDB's spewed into a Nathan's cup!) with my peripheral vision, which combined with the heat and humidity, made me somewhat queasy but I kept my own personal "Elvis" locked in the building!
Any predictions about future qualifiers or your chance on July 4th?
Pat Bertoletti will win wherever he goes to qualify for Nathan's. And my predictions for the 4th? Sonya will hit the "Double-Deuce" and there will be a new world record set by ..."SOMEONE!" ;) MY goal is to surpass my personal best of 25 HDB's and have a good time on our nation's birthday! "O&A Party Rock!" :)
Last Question:
I'd have to go with The Cabbage Patch; I'm from the "Disco Sucks!" era. ;)
