DefCon 15 ToxicBBQ Exotic Meat Events

DEFCON ToxicBBQ
Titanium Chef Challenge

So... do you fancy yourself to be a skilled person around the kitchen? Do your friends all rave about how great your cooking is no matter what's being served? Well, there's the possibility that you're attractive and they're just trying to use praise as a way to get into your pants, but if you truly possess culinary skill perhaps you have what it takes to participate in an event that takes place at the DEFCON ToxicBBQ... the Titanium Chef Challenge.

Much like the popular televised program "Iron Chef", this competition will involve the speedy preparation of dishes using a theme ingredient to be revealed shortly before the ToxicBBQ begins.

The Rules

1. Participating teams will consist of two to four people. One person would find him- or herself too shorthanded, and anything more than a four person team would just be pandemonium and cause a ruckus.

2. Sometime well prior to the competition, contestants will be provided with a list of ten possibilities for the theme ingredient. On the day of the ToxicBBQ (Thursday, the day before the official start of DEFCON) all interested parties will gather near the DEFCON registration desk. Eventhough reg may not be running at the time, the location should be well-marked. At exactly 15:00, the theme ingredient will be revealed to the contestants and any onlookers.

3. Teams will have 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 any grills until all of 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" 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... everyone will just have to live with that fact. Ingenuity, 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.

4. 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) from 16:30 to 17:30. All chef work will cease promptly at 17:30.

5. 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...

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.

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. Your 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.