Bacon Takedown contest coming to the Twin Cities--competitors wanted!

www.chili-takedown.com

The competition's gonna be on fire! Can your meat stand the heat?

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The king of amateur cook-offs, Matt Timms, is bringing his gig to the Twin Cities. Following recent bacon showdowns in Brooklyn, Houston, and SXSW, Bacon Takedown Twin Cities will take place in O'Gara's in St. Paul on July 18, and Timms is looking to pit 20 local cooks and their best bacon recipes against one another. Each contestant gets 15 pounds of Hormel Black Label Bacon to work their magic with and then brings the completed dish to the event for judging. At the event, observers can sample the results, which means a feast including everything from bacon bloody Mary's to bacon ice cream to Molten Bacon Explosions, and more! We got in touch with Timms for a few more details about the competition:

1. Is this your first Takedown in the Twin Cities? What made you come to us?
Yes, it's my first Takedown in Twin Cities! This particular Bacon Takedown has been sponsored by Black Label Bacon from Hormel, and they are sort of on home turf here, and we all know the Twin Cities area to be filled with varsity meat eaters...The question is, as usual, how many "foodies" like to not only eat but can roll up their sleeves in the kitchen?

2. If someone is interested in competing, how do they know if they have what it takes?
If they love cooking and love bacon, they probably have what it takes. Anyone can enter by emailing me at mtimms7@hotmail.com.

3. In what categories will cooks be judged and what are the prizes?
There are three places in People's Choice and three Places in the Judged category (judges TBA). There will be $1,500 worth of Wusthof, Anolon, and Microplane prizes.

4. What if we don't want to compete, just eat?
It costs $15 to come and sample everything and tickets will be available soon on the website. [Competitors participate free.]

5. Any food experiences you hope to have in the TC during your visit?
Maybe it sounds obvious, but I have to try a Juicy Lucy. My friend Josh Habiger, a local, and a mixologist in Nashville's Patterson House will have plenty of recs, as will my friends in Minneapolis. I'm hoping to catch some good punk and hardcore shows out there too, if all my ducks are in a row.

The event starts at 4 p.m. and a portion of the proceeds goes to Feeding America. For information, click here.