Contests

Friday: Get hoppy at Philly Beer School (and win tix to a future class!)

POSTED: Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 6:50 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Contests | Food Events

Photo | Michael T. Regan

This Friday, July 2, at 7 :30 p.m., the Philly Beer School (a relatively new branch of Philadelphia Wine School at 20th and Fairmount) is offering an exclusive class covering everything you need to know about super-hoppy beers. Collin Flatt, local foodie and beer connoisseur, is heading up the session. "The first hoppy beers were German pilsners," Flatt says of the origins of the big, bitter, often high-alcohol beers that have spread in popularity in the U.S. "Originally, it was a German beer law that you needed to use a certain amount of hops. Hops are used as a balance for the sweetness — but now they are [also] used for flavor." Super-hoppy beer varieties like India Pale Ale, now standard fare for craft breweries, has origins in extended ocean voyages, where heavy hopping was required to preserve the beer. ("It seems like IPA is that first gateway [hoppy] beer into trying other crazy things," says Flatt.) During this class (tix available here), students can pick up much more than just a cursory history of hops. In addition to covering how hop-centric German and English brews made their way to America, they'll talk about East vs. West Coast hops and the difference between the wet and dry hopping processes. Of course, there'll be samples aplenty on hand for tutored tasting. âWe will have Exit 4 from Flying Fish, West Coast hoppy IPAs [and] local ones as well, hoppy pilsners, Belgians, crazy hoppy versions of traditional new world IPAs, and styles that don't usually use hops," says Flatt. By the end of the class, students should be able to identify fruity elements and floral end notes through the up-front hoppy flavors of these beers. Philly Beer School will be holding beer-centric classes all summer long; future sessions will center around topics like Belgian beers and home-brewing. The PBS folks also want to offer a chance at two free tickets for a future class to all you Meal Ticket readers. Want 'em? Write one sentence about why you should win and email it to drew.lazor@citypaper.net. Good luck!

Posted by Stephen Rose @ 6:50 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Want two tickets to Thursday's Jersey Shore dinner at Zahav?

POSTED: Monday, June 28, 2010, 7:08 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Contests | Food Events

Who's excited for Thursday's Down the Shore chef's collaboration at Zahav? We sure are. So much so that we've got two tickets to the event that we want to give away. All you have to do is correctly answer the six trivia questions below — they're all based around food as it pertains to MTV's Jersey Shore. Email the answers to drew.lazor@citypaper.net with the subject line "COME AT ME BRO." Good luck, and remember, it only takes nine pounds of pressure to break a nose. UPDATE [2:23 p.m.]: It's all over, folks. Marcos of the blog Fidel Gastro burned y'all, getting all six Jersey Shore questions correct. Congrats! Answers after the jump.

1. What's Snooki's favorite food? (C'mon, this is a gimme!)

2. Which national food chain did DJ Pauly D partner with after the conclusion of Season 1?

3. Name the three theme nights The Situation bans Sammi Sweetheart from after they get in an argument about cleaning up after dinner. 4. Complete this Ronnie quote: "Mike would bang a _______ if it had a pulse at this point." 5. In one episode, JWOWW leaves the club early because she doesn't want to cheat on her boyfriend. She returns to the house and indulges in a specific meat product and a specific beverage — name them! 6. Name the five ingredients of the smelly concoction The Situation hides under Vinny's bed in retaliation for Vinny hating on him.

1. Snooki's favorite food is pickles. 2. DJ Pauly D stumps for Baskin Robbins. 3. The Situation bans Sammi Sweetheart from surf 'n' turf night, ravioli night and chicken cutlet night. 4. Ronnie thinks Mike would bang a Gatorade bottle if it had a pulse. 5. JWOWW rocks ham and water after she returns from the club. 6. The Situation's "Haterade" concoction consists of grated parmesan cheese, milk, Caesar dressing, mayo and some of Snooki's pickle juice.

Tweets that mention Want two tickets to Thursday's Jersey Shore dinner at Zahav? :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-28 14:42:37

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper and Meal Ticket, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Beat our "Jersey Shore" trivia challenge and win two tickets to this Thursday's Down the Shore dinner at Zahav! http://bit.ly/cMLC1t [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 7:08 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Win two tickets to Taste of the Nation tonight

POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010, 5:17 PM

Filed Under: Contests | Food Events | We're Here to Help

Taste of the Nation, the massive restaurant event benefiting national organization Share Our Strength, goes down tonight at 6:30 in the ballroom of Loews Philadelphia (1200 Market St.). Presided over by chef chair Jennifer Carroll of 10 Arts, the evening will feature eats from dozens of restaurants (Amis, Bibou, Cochon, Fond, Fork, Lacroix, Marigold Kitchen, MÃ©mÃ©, South Philly Tap Room, etc.), plus specialty cocktails mixed by bartenders from APO, The Franklin, Noble, Positano Coast and Rum Bar. Want two free general-admission tickets to tonight's soiree? All you have to do is email drew.lazor@citypaper.net with the correct answer to the trivia question below. First reader to do so wins! Yes, this is a giveaway, but it's important to mention that 100 percent of ticket sales from this event go toward Share Our Strength. We hope whoever snags these tix will consider making a charitable donation. Good luck!

One episode of Top Chef Las Vegas featured a Quickfire challenge requiring the contestants to cook a dish based on a television program. Which TV show was Jennifer Carroll assigned? (Clue: This answer can be found somewhere in the Meal Ticket archives.)

UPDATE: Holy quick draw! A scintillating seven minutes after we posted, reader Samantha checked in with the right answer: The Flintstones. Here's the Meal Ticket post featuring the answer, plus Tom Colicchio's head Photoshopped onto lots of other people's bodies. Have fun tonight!

Tweets that mention Win two tickets to Taste of the Nation tonight :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-21 12:25:13

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brett T Mapp and Brett Mapp, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: We're giving away two tickets to tonight's @TasteNationPHL event: http://bit.ly/cL5Viq [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 5:17 PM Permalink | Post a comment

We Dare You: The Drinker's Taco Challenge

POSTED: Monday, June 14, 2010, 4:23 PM

Filed Under: Contests

All three Drinker's locations in Philly recently rolled out a Man vs. Food-style eating challenge that is at once chilling and intriguing. If you can eat 33 — thirty-three! — of the bar's dollar tacos in 13 minutes or less, you'll get a T-shirt, a bottle of taco sauce and a name-engraved plaque on the wall, plus the tacos for free. Oh, and the people's ovation and fame forever, of course. We hear 16 tacos is the top number so far. Has anyone taken this is challenge on, or are you considering it? If so, let us know and we'll come watch and then eat your untouched tacos when you tap out/pass out/die.

Tweets that mention We Dare You: The Drinker's Taco Challenge :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-14 11:38:06

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jim McMenamin, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: A challenge for aspiring @AdamRichman types: Can you eat 33 Drinker's tacos in 13 minutes? http://bit.ly/bVoaFY [...]

Fidel Gastro

Posted 2010-06-14 12:34:46

I'll do it. 19th and Chestnut location. Let me know if you're serious about watching and we'll set up a date.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-06-15 11:12:38

Let's do it!

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, June 14-18 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-06-18 17:49:58

[...] Think you can eat 33 tacos in 13 minutes? Prove it at Drinker’s. [...]

She ate 99 tacos and the crown she won :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-08-30 12:20:18

[...] in June, we discussed the insanity that is the Drinker’s Taco Challenge (eat 33 tacos in 13 minutes or less), and expressed our general skepticism toward its beatability. [...]

Philly-based eating challenges becoming increasingly challenging, preposterous :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-15 14:43:52

[...] only Man vs. Food-style challenge floating about the 215, though. There’s the Drinker’s “33 tacos in 13 minutes” thing that we posted about in June. And then there’s the “SHAME Challenge” at the Wishing Well (Ninth and Catharine), [...]

Philly-based eating challenges becoming increasingly challenging, preposterous « The Lerman ReportÂ®

Posted 2010-07-16 13:31:20

[...] the only Man vs. Food-style challenge floating about the 215, though. There's theDrinker's â33 tacos in 13 minutesâ thing that we posted about in June. And then there's theâSHAME Challengeâ at the Wishing Well (Ninth and Catharine), which [...]

Amy D.K.

Posted 2010-07-25 15:59:48

I've seen the challenge attempted 3 times. First time - 16 tacos, second time - 17 tacos and the third time - 13 tacos (and the dude gave up with 2 minutes left.) 

I want to see a serious contender and someone get over 20.

Dave G

Posted 2010-07-28 14:44:52

I just did the Jake's challenge and I certainly could do this one.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 4:23 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Polls are still open ... to vote for the best vegan doughnut

POSTED: Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 4:06 PM

Filed Under: Contests | Food and Politics | Vegan | Vegetarian

vegantreats.com

Those vegans are at it again! This time they're after America's favorite pick-me-up spot, Dunkin' Donuts — Compassion Over Killing, a D.C.-based animal advocacy organization, has launched a website exposing the horrendous conditions of DD's egg suppliers' facilities. The latest installment of this mini-sagadrama is COK's attempt to get vegan doughnuts on the "Dunkin's Next Donut" ballot. None of the veggie submissions made DD's final cut, so COK gathered the non-dairy entries and started its own contest, which they hope will garner a DD response to their demands for healthier, cruelty-free options. Twelve flavors are in the running, and the winning treat gets its 15-ish minutes of fame on the menu at award-winning Vegan Treats Bakery in Bethlehem (Felicia D chatted with the bakery's Danielle Konya back in March '09). If Bethlehem seems like a hefty distance to travel for snacks, remember that you can look for Vegan Treats at a few closer-to-home locations. The vegan doughnut hole poll closes Friday, May 21 so get your votes in now. The victor will be announced in June.

Megan

Posted 2010-05-19 12:15:09

It would be amazing if Dunkin' Donuts offered vegan options!  Even just offering soy milk would be a huge first step. Seriously -- Why are they so behind the times? Aren't they based on Boston which has a very active vegan community? 

Oh, and I voted. Vegan Velvet Elvis, baby!  Thanks for the tip City Paper

Felicia D'Ambrosio

Posted 2010-05-19 12:38:34

I'd like soy milk at DD, too.  Where's the love for us lactards?  We need coffee, too!

Lucy

Posted 2010-05-19 13:30:27

This is great! I've missed my Dunkin' Donuts since I went vegan. It would be so amazing if they offered stuff for us vegans! I voted for the Strawberry Lemonade Love!

Marie DiFeliciantonio

Posted 2010-05-19 13:38:59

Ladies, thanks for reading the post and voting. The vegan doughnuts are not in the running for DD's menu but for a limited-time production by Vegan Treats Bakery based out of Bethlehem. Your participation in the contest shows support for Compassion Over Killing's quest to get DD to offer healthier, cruelty-free items. Check out their website (dunkincruelty.com) and write DD a letter about more vegan options!

Posted by Marie DiFeliciantonio @ 4:06 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Want to win a copy of Cook to Bang?

POSTED: Friday, May 14, 2010, 6:58 PM

Filed Under: Contests | Food Books

In the latest issue of CP, Felicia D tells you all about Spencer Walker's Cook to Bang, a book that, in case you couldn't guess, teaches y'all how to cook recipes that assist in the oft-complex banging-of-chicks game (that is the scientific name for the process):

Though not strictly a cookbook (Walker calls it a "culinary seduction guide"), dozens of simple recipes dot the chapters; dishes like "Tap That Ass-paragus Soup" and "Eggs Whorentine" were culled from more than 400 on his blog. The reasons why Cook to Bang can and will work are spelled out (in all caps) in the few first pages: "1. CHEAPER THAN A RESTAURANT 2. YOU'RE ALREADY IN YOUR HOUSE 3. YOU'RE DESSERT."

Do you need a copy of Cook to Bang in your life? Sure you do. Just e-mail drew.lazor@citypaper.net with ONE SENTENCE explaining why you want the book. We'll pick the winner and publish the sentence here. Happy cooking/banging! UPDATE: Meal Ticket reader Tom Williams wins the book with the following sentence:

My cooking skills are like my banging skills; underutilized fountains of awesome.

Tom Williams rules.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Chefs in tuxes: Philly represents at the James Beard Foundation Awards

POSTED: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 2:23 PM

Filed Under: Chef Salad | Contests

Irritating called "the Oscars of the food world", the James Beard Foundation held their much-hyped Restaurant & Chef awards ceremony last night, May 3. Their journalism, book, broadcast and design awards were held May 2. Philadelphia was well-represented at last night's gala, with five local nominees in four major categories. After the jump, view our Philtered results. Our (local nominee) is in parenthesis, with the award and winner in bold. Best New Restaurant (Bibou) went to Marea in NYC, owned by Michael White and Chris Cannon. Outstanding Restaurateur (Stephen Starr) to Keith McNally for his string of hits: Balthazar, Minetta Tavern, Lucky Strike, Morandi, Pastis, Pravda and Schiller's Liquor Bar. Outstanding Service (Vetri) to Grant Achatz's Alinea in Chicago. Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (Michael Solomonov, Zahav; and Jeff Michaud; Osteria) MICHAUD TAKES IT! Congratulations to the chef, his family and the whole Vetri/Osteria/AmÃs crew. See all the nominees and winners for every category on James Beard Foundation Awards site.

Sara

Posted 2010-05-04 11:02:28

Congrats to Jeff Michaud and the great Vetri group!!!

Posted by Felicia D'Ambrosio @ 2:23 PM Permalink | Post a comment

BURGERDELPHIA: We have a winner

POSTED: Monday, May 3, 2010, 9:00 PM

Filed Under: Contests | Food Events

Photo l Marie DiFeliciantonio

Tiger Wings & Things bites

David âTiger Wings & Thingsâ Brunelli ate nine burgers and buns in P.Y.T.'s first-ever Burgerdelphia showdown this past Saturday, May 1. The competitor donned a green Masters-style jacket (embroidered with âTiger Wingsâ) inside the restaurant as he mentally prepared, then shed his cape to take the stage for some serious mastication. Rarely glancing at his opponents, he employed water-dipping and head-bobbing maneuvers while chewing for a solid 5 minutes to get it all down. Brunelli is the grand prize winner of $250 cash, a $100 gift certificate to P.Y.T. and the coveted Burgerdelphia trophy. No stranger to gluttonous competition, Brunelli also participated in Wing Bowl XVIII this past January.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-05-04 00:25:43

What an awesome picture. The expressions of his cheerleaders/onlookers are amazing.

Meal Ticket’s 2010 in Pictures: May :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-12-31 16:02:22

[...] - BURGERDELPHIA: We have a winner [03may10] [...]

Posted by Marie DiFeliciantonio @ 9:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Serious noms: BURGERDELPHIA competitors announced

POSTED: Friday, April 30, 2010, 7:26 PM

Filed Under: Contests | Food Events

As part of Restaurant Weekend at the Piazza at Schmidts, Tommy Up has devised a carnivorous showdown, dubbed Burgerdelphia, where ravenous burger lovers will compete for a trophy, $250 cash and a $100 gift certificate for P.Y.T. More than 150 contestants signed up for the contest by submitting 50 words or less about why they had a shot at the title, but only 10 were chosen to participate. You can catch the gorge-fest at 12:45pm Saturday (Marie D. shared all the deets earlier today). Meet the competitors (and their self-penned bios) after the jump. Eric Duong is a local Asian. He likes to breakdance, absolutely loves cheese and thinks he will win Burgerdelphia because he is really hungry all the time. Leon Sonkin is a local dubstep dj/promoter. He likes hockey, cats, and has been watching Man Vs Food religiously in preparation for his victorious reign as Burgerdelphia champion. Dave Wood hates the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies more than world hunger. He once ate 18 cuts of pizza at dinner just for fun so burgerdelphia should be a walk in the park! Malcolm Conway lives and dies for the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Phillies, but hates competitor Dave Wood. Burgerdelphia should be no problem because he ate the South Street Heart Attack for an appetizer before his meal one night. Katherine Stavniychuk says, "I am a pretty Russian girl with green eyes who loves me some MEAT!! I am 5'6" with shoulder length brown hair. I love love love burgers! and i love a challenge! would love to win and show everyone that a regular girl can eat lots of burgers too!" DJ Sega is a local & national DJ legend, signed with Diplo's mad Decent Records & Old Head records. He is skinny, but he is hungry. He says, "This isn't a game anymore. This isn't funny." Scotty Buck is a local nightlife and softball legend. he says, "Because I eat there 5 times a week and just feels like the right thing to do." Jackson Galka: I'm one of those freakishly awkward skinny kids that can house large amounts of food in one sitting. It's all fun and games, but at the same time I take it seriously and I'm out to win. David Jaffe is a local architectural engineer. Most people think his year long sabbatical from the industry has been due to the economy but a select few know it has been to train for Burgerdelphia with a strict regimen of burgers and whiskey. Matt Gdowik is the champion of over 10 eating championships, and the creator and destroyer of the Summer of 1000 beers. He is also known as Silly Buddha. Matty Mccone is a local house Dj. Loves dogs and playing music to relax and believes he will win Burgerdelphia due to the fact that being the skinny guy doesnt mean you cant beat the fat guy in a eating contest..... and he's here to prove it. Ava-Lauren Weber is a local 9 year old girl. She says, "I'm nine and ate the pounder at cheeburger cheeburger and would love to participate in something like that again! let us know and my dad will take me on saturday - thanks!!! i live in old city philadelphia and LOVE PYT and so do my parents!"

danya

Posted 2010-04-30 15:54:22

Ava-Lauren's gonna kick some butt. I can feel it.

Amy

Posted 2010-04-30 16:55:16

ditto what danya said! i am in total support of her!

Posted by Alexandra Harcharek @ 7:26 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Reminder: Get the boozy vote out for APO's Preston Eckman

POSTED: Friday, April 30, 2010, 6:27 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Contests

We put you on to this in the latest edition of Notes from the Weekend, but here's a reminder: Preston Eckman, beverage manager at APO Bar + Lounge (102 S. 13th St.), has a cocktail entered in a webby vote-off competition organized by Cocktail for a Cause and VeeV, the acai-based spirit. The top three barkeep vote-getters by this coming Monday, May 3, will win a trip to Tales of the Cocktail, set for this July in New Orleans. HEAD RIGHT HERE to vote (you can do it once per day) and check out Eckman's elaborate recipe for A Halo Over Her Head, a crazy-refreshing warm-weather sipper that features elements like honeydew, aloe preserve and spheroid acai juice/Creme Yvette "berries."

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 6:27 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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Notes from the Weekend: June 17
The Lite Choice Opens Flagship Store on 16th Street between Walnut & Locust
Free stuff for Father's Day
Gone Fishin'
Hot Dog Wire: LaBan Coney at ASB
Happy National Beef Jerky Day!
Summer of Riesling Dinner at P&K
George Sabatino guesting at Scott Dogs Hot Dog Cart Pop-Up
Now Serving: Tiffin Bistro
Vetri opening in the Navy Yard, plus a nod to Le Bec

About this blog

Founded in October 2008, Meal Ticket is a City Paper blog about food, drink and assorted other things that make you go mmm. We do recipes, interviews, restaurant news, commentary and much more. We don't do restaurant reviews here — those are handled in print, mostly by our critic (and Meal Ticket contributor) Adam Erace. Got a tip, question, thought or concern? Just want to say hello? Please shoot a note to caroline@citypaper.net.

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