Crispy Podcast Episode 6

The Shameless Carnivore: A Manifesto for Meat LoversIn this episode of our surprisingly weekly podcast, we chat with Scott Gold, the author of the recently published book, The Shameless Carnivore: A Manifesto for Meat Lovers. Aside from exploring everything meat-related—from the practicalities to the spiritual aspects—Scott engaged in a month of meat, in which he ate 31 kinds of meat in as many days. This interview took place during this year’s Duckathlon and was recorded on a street in New York City, so pardon the audio. It’s worth putting up with it, though.

We hope you enjoy this episode and that you’ll tell us what you think. If you like what you hear, please subscribe to the show for free. You can grab the RSS feed or click here to subscribe in iTunes. That way you’ll get it every “week.”

 
 Episode 6 [9:45m]: Play Now | Download

Jun. 16, 2008 | Comment | Filed Under: ,

Duckathlon Recap II: New at Reason.tv

Jun. 12, 2008 | 4 Comments | Filed Under: , , , , , ,

Duckathlon Recap: New at Reason Online

saucisson fan-dangle.jpgI have a piece up at Reason Online today on D’Artagnan’s great Duckathlon, and how it fits in with–and counteracts–the rise of the food nanny state in New York City. A snippet:

So while the city has hundreds of outstanding restaurants, each likely claiming thousands of devoted customers, it also has millions of residents who can’t afford (or be bothered) to eat in them. Those people instead frequent the inexpensive chain restaurants city regulators target.

New York City might be foodie heaven, but if you’re an eater rather than a gastronome, regulators are increasingly futzing with your food. The food really under fire in New York City right now is not that eaten by, for example, billionaire Michael Bloomberg—whose mayoral manse chefs competed at the Duckathlon—but by everyday diners.

Still, the vigilance of [D'Artagnan's Ariane] Daguin, her staff, and Duckathlon participants is as important as it is admirable.

“In a small little way,” Daguin says, “I hope it’s paving the way to more freedom.”

Crispy previously on the Duckathlon here. D’Artagnan’s Flickr photostream from the event here.

Jun. 12, 2008 | Comment | Filed Under: , , , , , ,

Crispy Podcast Episode 4

In the fourth episode of our weekly podcast, we discuss the news about food shortages, Burger King’s ill-fated Foie Gras Burger, PETA’s synthetic meat initiative, miracle fruit, Duckathlon IV, the alleged dangers of competitive eating, and this week in bacon - LA bans bacon dogs.

BTW, that’s me with the meat is murder t-shirt recording the podcast. If you ever want to watch and listen to us live as we record the show, just follow me on Twitter (@jerrybrito) and I will tweet when we’re ‘on the air’ and provide a URL. We have a chat room going while we record and we take listener questions and comments. Pretty nerdy, but pretty fun. Live versions of past shows are here.

We hope you enjoy this episode and that you’ll tell us what you think. If you like what you hear, please subscribe to the show for free. You can grab the RSS feed or click here to subscribe in iTunes. That way you’ll get it every week.

 
 Episode 4 [30:37m]: Play Now | Download

May. 8, 2008 | Comment | Filed Under: , , , , , ,

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 | 1 Comment | Filed Under: ,

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