October 15th, 2010

There are a group of us who live in the 63123 zip code.  Inspired by the episode of Friends when Joey coins the phrase “Bank Buddies,” I call them my zip code buddies and a couple times a year we all get together for a “63123 Dinner.”  I was wanting to host a 63123 dinner, but decided to switch things up and make it an adult Top Chef 63123 dinner party (the idea of the Top Chef party is all Julie, they’ve hosted 2 Top Chef parties, the last one being in August).  Everyone was asked to bring an ingredient they had to incorporate in their dish and most people brought bacon.  Lots and lots of bacon.

 

I made a pitcher of grape and apple sangria.

Set up people’s cooking stations.

Then the people came and we decided who cooked in what round.  There were 2 rounds.  The first round was Dennis, Markham, and Stef and their challenge was making sliders.  They had 45 minutes.

The table of ingredients the contestants had to choose from.  They took turns choosing 2 ingredients at a time and could pick as many as they wanted, as long as they used it.

Strategies strategies…….

The cooking has begun.  And Tim was our sideline commentator….with his fancy Hannah Montana Microphone.

Reporting live from Cambrook Kitchen…

The sliders are on the grill ladies and gentlemen!

Energized spectators.

This is by far the best thing about hosting a Top Chef party, sitting and watching other people cook in your kitchen with no pressure!

Ready to judge some sliders!

Stef’s sliders with a side of marinated artichokes.

Dennis’ sliders on rye bread.

Markham’s feta stuffed sliders.

And Stef was victorious for round 1.  Now comes round 2, which is French fries, nachos style with 45 minutes to cook.  Tim, Beth, and Phil are going head to head on this one.  You bake fries and pick the toppings.

The cooks begin and Dennis is our commentator.

Which he did mostly in song….I seriously haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. 

Tim’s bacon weave!

Which was the bed for his cheese fries that could also be topped with chili…..enough grease to go around for every chamber of your heart.

Phil’s cheesy fries with chili and secret sauce…..I sense a theme.

Beth made Buffalo inspired waffle fries…..with bacon…..the theme of the evening was definitely bacon!

Beth won round 2 (and she was the one most scared of cooking under pressure!).  It was a fantastic night, so much fun.  I also have 4 packages of bacon in our freezer right now, but my LDL needs a break from the pig belly for awhile.