In the spirit of two wholly American pursuits — overeating and winning — comes the Takedown, a cooking competition where anything goes. – New York Times
There’s simply no other food gathering in which a community of cuisine lovers can unite to celebrate the wondrous and wild recipe discoveries by amateur chefs. -Village Voice
Matt Timms, the czar of amateur cook-offs, take-downs, and bake-offs in NYC, (inspired) a movement of down-home cooking competitions. – Phoenix New Times
Probably the most diverse, the most positive, and the most unpretentious thing I’ve ever witnessed in NYC. – Little Baby’s Ice Cream
The Takedown blasted into existence in the winter of 2003 – in a little hovel somewhere in Brooklyn NYC. Everyone loves us, so the Takedown has quickly grown into an adult-sized event. The press is insane, and in it’s wake, other cooking events across the country were more recently spawned, but the Takedown will always be the first and awesomest! Self-taught cooks bring in their brilliant creations and compete for money, prizes, and self respect. In NYC, events are held all over town, though the TDs tend to mostly go down at the Bell House these days…
The TD is NATIONWIDE now- and happening in a city near you! Austin, Houston, Chicago, New Orleans, Nashville, Boston, St. Paul, Seattle, San Francisco… and MORE!!!
But that’s not all! Takedowns are nutzos, and not necessarily chili: Bacon, Fondue, Salsa, Lamb, Curry and even Cookie Takedowns!!!! Oo! And we have several really bad ideas coming up- also not chili related.
The Takedown has received serious accolades in the press – check out the lavish attention on the press page!
Actor/filmmaker Matt Timms produces the events and MCs the night. God he’s beautiful.
GET ON THE MAILING LIST by emailing me at Matt at thetakedowns dot com!!!
