Matt Timms

Matt Timms (born c. 1974, Boston, Massachusetts)[1] is a promoter of American food events, in particular a "legendary"[2] series of casual "takedown" competitions in which local amateur chefs compete to cook a particular ingredient.[3] Timms is credited as one of the first of a wave of promoters to launch public amateur food contests in New York City and throughout the United States in the early 2000s.[4]

Food contests

Timms' first "Takedown" was a "Chili Takedown" in New York City in 2004.[5] Tofu, Fondue, Cookie[5] and Grits[6] Takedowns followed, as well as a "Lamb Takedown",[7] the "Brooklyn Beer Experiment", and the "Park Slope Pork Off".[5] Hormel meats later sponsored a "Bacon Takedown".[5] Other hotly contested food takedown events included a “Boogers and Banana Hammocks” which was soon followed by “Whips and Cream”.

Timms says his events are a reaction to the more midwestern sensibilities of nationwide contests such as the Pillsbury Bake-Off, and the more structured, rules-oriented approach of the American Chili Society's sanctioned chili cookoffs.[5] The Takedowns have become popular among what the New York Times describes as "obsessive home cooks" and "sustainability enthusiasts", due in part to Internet social connections.[1] In addition to New York, takedowns have also been held in Boston, Massachusetts, Nashville, Tennessee, Saint Paul, Minnesota,[8] and San Francisco, California.[4]

In the lamb event, sponsored by the American Lamb Board, contestants are each given fifteen pounds of lamb to cook how they see fit, with awards from expert judges, as well as a people's choice award by vote of those who have paid to attend the event.[9][10]

Other details

Timms is also an actor and filmmaker.[11] His film, Up With Me, was distributed by the Independent Film Channel.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Steven Stern (2009-05-13). "In New York, the Taste of Victory". "New York Times.
  2. ↑ Kelly Neal (2009-12-20). "Cookie Takedown". Metromix.
  3. ↑ "Episode 39 — Matt Timms". Hey Brooklyn. 2010-01-22.
  4. 1 2 Kelly Neal (2009-11-22). "Brooklyn Chili Takedown". Metromix.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jenny Miller (2009-12-16). "The Chili and Cookie Takedown's Matt Timms on His Risk-Taking Amateur Cooks, Fine Dining Disappointments, and His Dream of Hosting a Hare Krishna Cook-Off". Village Voice.
  6. ↑ Alex Rush (2010-06-15). "Grit and bear it at this all-grits festival". Brooklyn Paper.
  7. ↑ Courtney Hollands (2010-02-22). "Do ewe love lamb?". Boston.com.
  8. ↑ "What's cooking: Bacon gladiators". Minneapolis Star Tribune. 2010-07-07.
  9. ↑ Tamara Palmer (2010-07-06). "NY Lamb Takedown Comes to SF". Eater SF.
  10. ↑ "Lamb Takedown". Village Voice.
  11. ↑ "Tofu Takedown". New York Times. 2009-05-07.
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