Man v. Food: Richmond airs tonight

“The container of poor judgment” threatens host Adam Richman in the “Stupid Wings Challenge” in Man v. Food’s Richmond episode where he faces something he’s never encountered in any of his wing challenges. Along the way, he also enjoys a little history, BBQ, and battleships.

June 30, 2010; 10:04 AM • by Holly Gordon

“The container of poor judgment” threatens host Adam Richman in the “Stupid Wings Challenge” in Man v. Food’s Richmond episode where he faces something he’s never encountered in any of his wing challenges. Along the way, he also enjoys a little history, BBQ, and battleships.

I was privy to a pre-screening of the show, which airs tonight at 9pm on the Travel Channel. The show opens with a shot of the Capitol building, and has many historic references and scenes throughout, calling Richmond, the “colonial capital.” Catchy puns and one-liners permeated the show, but not in an entirely bad way. I don’t remember there being quite so many in other shows, but maybe I just wasn’t paying as close attention.

The host starts at Buz and Ned’s on the Boulevard, watching owner Buz Grossberg make his secret hickory and oak smoked spare ribs with his BBQ experience from all over the country. Next is one of my favorite restaurants, Black Sheep, behind VCU, where “subs have been upgraded to battleships.” Richman selects the USS Brooklyn, named after his hometown, which contains peach chutney, a pound of jerk chicken, homemade slaw, and banana ketchup. After tasting co-owner Kevin Roberts’ special ketchup concoction, the host quips, “That is the coolest, craziest thing I’ve ever tried. I feel like the great American explorers who’ve gone before me. I’m like Lewis and Clark of the kitchen and you’re like Sacajawea of banana ketchup.”

Finally, Richman heads to Caliente in the Museum District to face the wings that have defeated 90% of challengers. Owner Dave Bender uses all the leftover sauce from each batch he makes, meaning the spices continue to marinate and get exponentially hotter in the bin. “This is like Area 51!” exclaims Richman, noting the careful use of rubber gloves and sealed container of sauce. Special ingredient, capsaicin extract, added with a dropper only adds “heat and pain, no flavor.” While I can’t tell you how the challenge went, I will tell you that the skin around Richman’s eyes turned a disturbing dark blue color while he was eating.

With signs like “Richmond loves Richman”, the Caliente audience was enthusiastic, and seeing a handful of people that I know featured on the show was pretty darn cool. Locals Liz and Julie attempt the stupid wings themselves, with much crying.

The host declares “Virginia is for lovers AND eaters.” I think we can agree on that.

(Image courtesy of the Travel Chanel)

June 30, 2010 10:04 AM 0