AUG 2023
Smoke Rose and Eggs Dropped
Mangubat Art Society hosts another award-winning event.
Alex Hoffman
The Latest Updates:
Tens gathered on the evening of August 5th for a once in a lifetime event. Much like how the sun and the moon align for a solar eclipse, the Great American Grill Fest lined up with one Lombard St. resident’s long-awaited return.
Alex Hoffman – a youthful looking 25-year-old with piercing blue eyes and a missing toenail – spent the last 342 days conducting research for a rival novel to Eat, Pray, Love. His travels brought him to the far east, Dublin. Long days on the sea gradually carried him back home to Wash West just in time for an extravaganza of grilled meats, alleyway games, and Tecates with lime.
Billowing smoke from the facebook marketplace grill spiraled into the air like a beacon in the summer sky to signal the beginning of the event. Moments later, guests trickled in from far and wide.
Pilgrims traveled from Pittsburgh, Nashville, Brooklyn, Manayunk, and our nation’s capital. Some came to celebrate the occasion; others were just here already.
Darren, 26?, flew back down south with a much heavier duffel bag. He was weighed down by a jacket he lost months ago and awards for winning the watermelon eating contest and the egg drop. All will serve him well. Big pharma advocate Andrew was disappointed to take home second place in the egg drop. He plans to raise drug prices in retaliation.
Darren was not the only winner of the night. First time attendee Ali cleaned up in the raffle. She briefly owned a receipt, bacon Tayto crisps, and energy gummies. All items were found on the floor in what must have been an accident.
Assistant Director of Event Planning Katie said, “We poured some out for our fallen brother Jeremy who got stuck conducting research with the CDC and could not attend.”
Sources say Katie also baked a delicious lemon-blueberry cake.
Grill Fest Gastronomy:
Aside from a watermelon eating contest to make anyone salivate, an egg drop that revealed hidden benefits of an Art History degree, and the power of Amazon water balloons; the highlights of Grill Fest lay in the culinary realm.
A Lebanese potato salad presented an herbaceous open-handed slap in the face to traditional mayo-based versions. It left a lasting impression on chef Michael Solomonov who plans to introduce it at his restaurant Laser Wolf early last month.
Diners complimented the thoroughly cooked and well-charred coil of handmade Italian sausage. Scents of the Italian Market wafted through the air and excited olfactory systems. “Those guys never cook their meat enough, but today they finally got it right,” beamed Olivia.
For those with an inclination towards the sweeter side pastry chef Colm battled a hangover and nicotine withdrawal to craft two delicious crisps. He was spotted pacing outside at 4 am on the morning of the event, unable to sleep or wear a shirt out of anticipation for his desserts.
One item stood out above the rest. Inspired by Mister Softee’s famed vanilla cone with Oreo, chefs plated a deconstructed cookie in a frozen cream base served over a sugar and flour wafer. Icy yet pliable ice cream contrasted the airy cone perfectly.
Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, has already contacted these creators ahead of 3Q2023’s WSW James Beard Awards.
That'll do.
Maggie Rogers Live at The Mann
Alex Hoffman
Perfection takes many forms and leaves the errant in its wake.
As all four frequent readers know, this author sees a cardiologist for chronic heartbreak. Three days after he moved across an ocean to escape the beautiful women of Dublin, he watched a vision in cream move past his eyes. For ninety magnificent yet painful minutes, Maggie Rogers rocked the Mann – and left her mark on one man.
She presented a different visage than the chopped and bleached look adorning her album marketing. Tightly cropped dirty blonde hair framed a hardened yet delicately freckled face.
Backlights highlighted a sheer overskirt bouncing down to meet matching boots as she flowed with the music. Her movements were free, as was she.
After an extensive and meaningful setlist, she finally bid the crowd farewell. One attendee had much to think about on the bus home. Will he ever meet his famous love? Is there anyone who can capture his heart and mind like her?