With the clock ticking down and the potluck slipping away, Kathy Munger's Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding was staring defeat in the face.
A huge performance by two main courses, Jake Sklanka's Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit (which, amazingly, is exactly what it sounds like) and Spencer's Leek And Gruyere Gratin, set a high potluck bar. But with the potential potluck-winning drive on the line, Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding showed the confidence and poise of a savvy veteran.
Using a time-tested combination of vanilla wafers, gooey, bananaey goodness and a splash of nostalgia, Banana Pudding (33 points) surged into the end zone and past Leek And Gruyere Gratin (32 points) and Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit (31 points) for the victory in what was the tightest podium finish in potluck history.
"Banana just looked us in the huddle and said, 'Fellas, we got this,'" Vanilla Wafers said after the potluck. "He's gotta be in the conversation with Montana and Brady as the greatest of all time."
And truly, it was one of the greatest potluck fields of all time, as Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding conquered not only Gratin and Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit, but also Monday Night Potluck veterans Rick and Maria's Sweet And Spicy Smokies (which, I might add, were hot dogs wrapped in bacon and brown sugar) and Heather Wickstrom's Parmesan Broccoli Bites, which finished with 28 and 25 points, respectively.
The victory extended a streak of excellence for Kathy Munger and her husband Brian, who claimed their unprecedented third MNP victory and fifth podium finish, moving them into the conversation with Bill Russell's Celtic teams of the 60s and Michael Jordan's Bulls teams in the 90s as some of the greatest dynasties of our time.
As always, a huge thank you goes out to all who brought food and good cheer to our 15th Monday Night Potluck. Everyone's dishes, for your perusal:
Bob McCullough - Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff
Kathy Munger - Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding (1st Place)
Kim Haller - Coconut Curry
Erin and Sara - Caribe Pepper, Bacon And Cheddar Cornbread
Diana and Bradie - Kale Salad With Bacon And Goat Cheese (it's 19 points making it the best performance ever by a salad)
Nancy - Delish Rib Sliders
Kyle Venz - Chili Con Kyle (prepared and delivered by our youngest potlucker ever!)
Melissa Chiella - Organic Gluten Free Brownies
Heather Wickstrom - Parmesan Broccoli Bites
Melissa Chiella - Stuffed Mushrooms
Jake Sklanka - Chicken Dinner, In A Biscuit (3rd Place) (and truly, a revelation)
Clay Stoner and Luminous BrewHouse - 9 Pepper Hot And Spicy Chili
Spencer - Leek And Gruyere Gratin (2nd Place)
Allie Ellwood - Pigs In A Blanket
Johnny Newman - Fruit Salsa With Sugar Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
Diane Ahern - Dulce de Leche Rice Krispy Treats
Bridget Babcock - Buffalo Poppers
Rick and Maria - Sweet And Spicy Smokies (which, I reiterate, were bacon wrapped hot dog morsels of goodness)
Monday Night Potlucks will pick back up next week (Feb. 9), 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: Spencer, Kathy and Jake
Cody and JJ perform to a packed potluck