Austin Smoke Experiment 2013

This was the third annual Brooklyn Brewery’s «Food Experiments» food challenge. This year the theme was «smoke». Judges included the Franklins, Virginia Wood, Claudia Alarcon, Addie Broyles, Andrew Gerson, and Tiffany Harelik. The results were very surprising! Granted, I had a high school friend competing in it so I was a bit biased. Whatever he served, I knew he would have my vote. We got there early so we got to sample all the 19 booths quickly. That was a good idea because later the food lines got way too crazy for the ChiquiBaby. Fuck that, I ain’t standin in line. Here are some of the more memorable teams:
J-​NORMOUS (2^nd place audience choice)
These guys were the only ones with a chicken dish. Smoked buffalo pulled chicken on a purple chip drizzled with ranch or blue cheese and celery. NOM! One of my faves! It really represented the smoke part of the challenge.
Smoke All Day –Eat All Night
Smoked Mac n Cheese
Nuff said. You have to be creative at competitions like these, yo. «E» for effort.
Ender’s
Smoked pulled pork
Plain and simple. Pulled pork done right with a side of corn bread stuff. The fiancé loved this one. Unfortunately they didn’t win anything.
The Holy Smokers
Smoked Lightnin’
I don’t know how much weed this dude smoked that morning but there were many a wooooooooooo’s coming from his booth. He was very entertaining, but I just wanted him to shut the fuck up and give me my sample. He won a grow-​your-​own-​mushrooms kit. Right. Exactly what this hippie needs. Anyway his dish was ok, but his sauce was the hit. Get it at:
. We scored two little bottles of it.
The Red Wattle (Winner)
Smoked Rainbow Trout & Pork Belly
This was my friend’s team. I was surprised he went with fish since he’s so amazing with boar and venison. Chef Carlos Ysaguirre is in the works of opening his restaurant, The Red Wattle so keep an eye out, Unilocalers. He, his sidekick, Jorge, and his wife, Zully presented the most colorful, beautiful, and creative dish.
I told you he would win…
Follow them on Facebook– he’s been doing pop-​up dinners all over town. You could be invited next!
Also check out this Eater article:
Oh yeah, Tony B. was competing there, too with his Inglorious Basters team.