D’Artagnan’s Duckathlon IV: Best. Invite. Ever.

duckathlon.jpgI had the otherworldly good fortune to attend yesterday’s uber-competitive, uber-fun, invite-only Duckathlon, sponsored (as always) by the great folks at D’Artagnan. The event took place this year at and around the gorgeous Chelsea Market in New York City’s Meatpacking District. From the press invite:

D’Artagnan’s Duckathlon is a gastronomic obstacle course in which teams from top restaurants in the New York area are sent on an action-packed tour of the Meatpacking District’s hottest haunts - 20 stops in total. At each stop they earn points conquering feats such as: the blind wine and ham tasting, guessing the weight of a baby lamb, Chuck-a-Duck (don’t worry—they’re rubber!), mystery organ meat identifying, and, of course, racing with flippers! Returning from last year’s event will be the bodacious bra hunt at Hogs and Heifers.

Congrats to Le Cercle Rouge, which took home first prize, and to the talented kids from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Mgmt. (pictured), who rocked the best-dressed contest.

Some of my personal highlights:

  • Meeting and speaking with the brilliant Ariane Daguin and wonderful Lily Hodge from D’Artagnan.
  • Tagging along with the unbelievably talented team from Daniel Boulud’s restaurant Daniel while they went through the rigors of the competition, and watching all of the great and talented competitors who took the challenges seriously, not so seriously, and somewhere in between.
  • Interviewing Scott Gold, author of The Shameless Carnivore, who took a break from standing over an iced crate of testicles to speak with me.
  • Serving as a judge in the best costume contest.

    One thing I didn’t really do, surprisingly, was eat. But I made up for that in good wine and beer.

    I have a piece on the event that will be out soon. I’ll also have a duckload of photos up soon. In the meantime, check out this slideshow straight from the duck’s mouth.

    May. 5, 2008 | Comments | Share | Filed Under: ,

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