Monday night witnessed a record-breaking potluck performance.
Team Brovenyark's Smokin Maple Bacon Mac N Cheese didn't just break records, but shattered them, taking 20th Monday Night Potluck victory with ease in a 61 point effort.
The nostalgia of classic macaroni and cheese, coupled with a preparation process that included candying bacon in a heavy dose of maple syrup, then pureeing it into a sauce that included pepperjack cheese, cream cheese and most likely a myriad of other cheeses that I couldn't pinpoint as I deliriously scooped handfuls of cheesy, bacony goodness towards my face (um, this didn't actually happen), was almost a surefire way to place at MNP. (Does that sentence make sense? I still can't tell. In other news, I need an editor)
But to obliterate what was once again a delicious field, almost doubling the points of second place Cheesy Jalapeno Grits (which, unfortunately, I did not get to try. Which, in retrospect, is probably a good thing, since intaking any more cheese might just stop my heart immediately), is truly an impressive feat on the level of the 1996 Bulls or the 1929 Yankees.
Julia and Team's Cheesy Jalapeno Grits' 36 points was good enough for second, while Alli Langley's Orzo With Root Veggies And Goat Cheese rounded out the top three with 32 points.
A final shout out goes to Kathy Munger's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake, which finished outside the top three but made this writer's life complete.
Once again, thanks to all who helped make Monday another amazing potluck. The 18 potluckers and their dishes are as follows:
Braum - Swiss Chicken SQ's
Kathy Munger - Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake (aka one of the greatest dessert's this writer has ever tasted and it's a damn shame it didn't place top three)
Team Brovenyark - Smokin Maple Bacon Mac N Cheese (1st Place)
Sara and Erin - Goat Cheeze Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Bites
Melissa Chiella - Southwest Salad
Julie Meloy - Chicken Chili
Seth Cohen - Chicken Friend Steak Bites With Chocolate Coffee Stout Gravy
Kate Step.....I'm sorry, I just can't read the rest of your name - Cookies And Popcorn
Paul Ahern and Co - Japanese Curry Rice
Warren and Samantha - Poutine Poppers
Jason Lederer - Roasted Veggie Awesomeness
Sam and Elliot - Fluff! (disclaimer, this was not the marshmellow fluff that I grew up making peanut butter and fluff sandwiches with. Yes, I've been eating terribly unhealthily my entire life. Thanks Mom and Dad.)
Julia and Team - Cheesy Jalapeno Grits (2nd Place)
Nancy and Ben Redner - PIZZA
Alli Langley - Orzo With Root Veggies And Goat Cheese (3rd Place)
Nick Schaffer - Red Chicken Curry
Zach - Deviled Eggs
Anna, Alex and Ellen - Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Potluck will continue next Monday night (March 16) 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: Team Brovenyark (middle), Julia (left) and Alli
Prepared potluckers with their own plates