FOOD! Tofu eating contest

The newly redone Café Gutenberg is having their one year anniversary party this weekend. Sponsored by the restaurant and Twin Oaks Tofu, the festivities include a local market, live music, and a tofu eating contest, in which I am a participant. Am I a competitive eater? Not at all. I can think of maybe two […]

March 24, 2010; 9:39 PM • by Holly Gordon

The newly redone Café Gutenberg is having their one year anniversary party this weekend. Sponsored by the restaurant and Twin Oaks Tofu, the festivities include a local market, live music, and a tofu eating contest, in which I am a participant.

Am I a competitive eater? Not at all. I can think of maybe two foods where I might be able to consume mass quantities: ice cream and pizza. But tofu? I know when you think of eating contests, you imagine huge slabs of meat, towering piles of shellfish, or Adam Richmond from Man vs. Food. (He’s put on a lot of weight from that show, BTW). Gutenberg is being secretive and hasn’t told us how the soy goodness will be prepared or what the rules are yet. I just have to remember not to eat anything that day.

I think this is a clever and unique way to get attention for the establishment and to encourage community participation. During the day there will be a temporary market with Gutenberg’s local farmers and other vendors set up with information and samples of their products. The tofu eating contest starts at 8 pm, followed by live music from GULL and DJ MIR.

So far contestants are representing themselves and several local businesses, including Ellwood Thompson’s Market, Richmond Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, Richmond Food Not Bombs, RVANews (that’s me!), the Boka Truck, and Halligan Bar and Grill.

I am very competitive, and I don’t want this contest to end up like an Oktoberfest I participated in last year. We had to hold 2 large beer steins full of water, arms extended, out at shoulder height for as long as possible. The one left standing won. While my friend impressively made it nearly to the end, I was embarrassingly the first one out. My pride still hurts from that one.

The winner gets $150 worth of prizes from Gutenberg and Ellwood Thompson and of course the bragging rights. Looks like I’ve got some tough competition, so come out this Saturday and be my cheering section and support a local business.

March 24, 2010 9:39 PM 0