Well, the lack of snow in Poland has left me stateside as I cross my fingers and hope that the two-week postponement of the races will bring snow to the Szcyrk countryside. In the mean time, I’ve been keeping myself occupied in various tasks. Bowling tournaments (man am I a terrible bowler), skittle matches (only the greatest game…ever), and a new breed of cooking contests have been my vents for my endless competitive nature.

Most recently the entire ODT team came together for a Monday night muster, where yours truly, with the help of his faithful sous chef, Mikey, challenged –and beat no less –the dynamic duo of fellow teammates Taylor Sundali and Scott Krankkala in a Iron Chef competition. The secret ingredient was sweet potatoes, and we each had a fifty-dollar spending limit to create the best four-course meal one could concoct. The other members of our team served as judges for the heated battle, judging based on taste, creativity and appearance. Taylor and Scott put up a salad with sweet potatoes, spaghetti and chicken with a sweet potato sauce, sweet potato fries, sweet potato pie and an interesting but delicious sweet potato s’more. Mikey and I fought back with five courses. Starting off was our fried sweet potato shaves rolled with pancetta and manchego cheese, second came our roasted root medley stew in homemade bread bowls, followed by homemade ravioli with a sweet potato and citrus filling in a sage butter sauce. Next came our main course of pork tenderloin stuffed with sweet potatoes and dates with a cranberry mustard glaze, and rounding out our feast was a sweet potato crepe with fresh fruit and a sweet potato pie demi-glaze.

The judging was long, methodical and filling, eventually declaring Mikey and I as the winners by a two-point margin. Riding on high horses, we already have our next challenge lined up for the weekend where it will be the battle of who makes the best burger and fries. Mikey and I are confident for our second win, even after betting the use of various condiments in a recent bowling match and losing (remember how I said I was bad at bowling? …yeah it was pretty ugly –never broke fifty), but even with the ban of our mustard and ketchup use, our victory is eminent. So until next time, keep doing what you’re doing, and if you ever dare, we are always standing by to except your challenges –just don’t be surprised when you lose.

Judges hard at work

My five courses

Two of Taylor and Scott’s dishes

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