When I was asked to be a judge for the first Veggie Conquest showdown in NYC on August 22nd, I had visions of myself as a TV judge like Judge Judy or Gordon Ramsey – handing out brash words of wisdom and catchy, yet condemning spitballs of criticism. “Don’t feed me mushy pasta and tell me it’s al dente,” I may accuse. Or “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!” There may also be moments where the audience believes I am going to rip someone a new one – but then after a dramatic pause I say, “This…is…the best dish here.” O, to dream. And that is why you need to enter this competition. Because you know you can make the best dish there. I know it too. So do it. The SECRET INGREDIENT will be revealed a week before the competition!
Meet the Judges for Challenge #1
- Lifestyle expert, The Discerning Brute, Joshua Katcher
- CIA-trained food stylist, Brian Preston-Campbell
- Author and entrepreneur: Lunbox Bruch’s Kathy Patalsky
On food competition shows like Top Chef and Iron Chef, the food is so often an obnoxious cliché. Foie Gras. Lamb. Caviar. Bacon. I mean bring a book, people. How many times can you showcase diseased liver, a cuteness-icon, fish periods, and the ass of an animal that’s smarter than your dog before it gets boring?
I am so excited that there is finally a vegan food competition! I hope you will all buy your tickets for August 22nd, and come join me in Chelsea for this landmark event as a chef or a taster. See you there!
Amateur Cooking Competition
Aug. 22, 2009
Chelsea, Manhattan
