The first Monday Night Potluck of the 2015-2016 season brought fireworks, sublime sweetness and a strong coconut presence to the refined palates of Breckenridge.
On the heels of the Broken Compass Coconut Porter's bronze medal at Great American Beer Fest (woohoo!) it was only fitting that a coconut-themed potluck be held in celebration. And so, taking up spatulas and ladles and forks and knives, the MNP chefs once again returned to the kitchen to wage food wars against each other (wars that everyone, ultimately, would win).
But on this momentous Monday night, it was also fitting that potluck veterans Maria and Rick Galgas would steal the spotlight with their Heirloom BLT Salad With Coconut Bacon (wait, hold on, am I reading that right? A salad stole the spotlight? Yes, yes I am).
Facing off against a strong 12-dish field, Heirloom BLT Salad With Coconut Bacon (which we'll just shorten to HBLTSWCB from here on out) raced out to an early lead on the back of balanced performance from both lettuce and bacon.
HBLTSWCB continued to build on an early lead, but the other dishes would not go down without a fight. Kendal Oakleaf's Thai Coconut Peanut Noodles put in a strong performance for Southeast Asia, ultimately settling for second place, while Mike Spiel's Venison Stroganoff used a combination of heartiness and deliciousness to finish third. Chantal Wener's delectable Chococonut Cookies (which I challenge you to pronounce correctly) and Alex Beach's Coconut Sweet Potato Balls With Honey Coconut Sauce scrapped their way to tie for a podium finish against an exceptionally deep and competitive field.
The Galgas's, despite owning a closetful of potluck hardware, were thrilled to pick up the first gold medal of the potluck season, and will look to build on that success at next week's edition.
Thanks so much to all of you who helped make the return of MNP a success! As always, here are the talented chefs and their delectable dishes:
Mike Spiel - Venison Stroganoff (2nd)
Seth Cohen - Coconut Porter Ice Cream
Maria and Rick Galgas - Heirloom BLT Salad With Coconut Bacon (1st and Most Creative and Awesome use of Coconut)
Jerry and Ronda Westoff - Chicken Mushroom Coconut Hot Pot
Chantal Wener - Chococonut Cookies (T-3rd)
Kendal Oakleaf - Thai Coconut Peanut Noodles (1st)
Alex Beach - Coconut Sweet Potato Balls With Honey Coconut Sauce (T-3rd)
Mia Tarduno - Coconut Lime Rice
Megan Drew - Potato Bulgar Wheat Porridge
Kerry and Nick - Spicy Coconut Sweet Potato Cor...(?something illegible)
Trenton - Coconut Cookies
Kristen - Love You S'mores
Potluck will continue next Monday night (Oct. 12) with eating commencing at or around 7 p.m., but we recommend showing up early to get a table. We can't wait to see what you bring next!
(Editor's note: Broken Compass Brewing's Monday Night Potlucks are popping off every Monday night, with eating starting around 7. We encourage everyone to contribute a dish every now and then, but everyone in the brewery is welcome to sample the food and vote for their favorite dishes. First place wins a 64 oz growler and fill, second place a 32 oz. growler and fill and third place a free pint. See you there!)
The winners!