The TAM2 chocolate challenge

[Chaos]

Exarch´s last post in the Top Ten List thread just did it.

Mr. "Belgian chocolate is the best in the world" Exarch, I hereby

challenge

you to prove this once and for all. :p


Let us settle the matter at TAM2.

I will bring German chocolate - brand: Milka, type: full-cream milk - to the meeting, you will bring Belgian chocolate - any brand, full-cream milk type.

Then we let the skepchicks present at TAM2 decide which is better. :fg:

Do you accept my challenge, Exarch, or do you back down from your praise of Belgian chocolate? :confused:

[renata]

I hasten to say that I volunteer to be a judge in this challenge!!!

Plus, any other people who wish to defend the honor of national chocolate, please enter the chocolate challenge. I was going to bring Russian cnady- not because it is tasty (it is not, particularly) but for novelty value.

[The Bad Astronomer]

When it comes to chocolate, I have been told I am an honorary woman. I will be happy to judge. In fact, I insist.

[SkepticScott]

I fondly remember a chocolate store in Manchester, NH, from when I was a kid. Either they were very good, or I was a kid and liked anything chocolate. I'll try and find them and bring a sample of chocolate from New England. I could also run out to a Lindt store in Las Vegas to get some truffles to add to the mix.

[CFLarsen]

I'll bring some Valrhona:

Guanaja, Caraibe and Jivara.

You ignorami will soon learn the meaning of true chocolates.

[Chanileslie]

I will make the supreme sacrafice and volunteer to be on the skepchick chocolate tasting panel. :D

[Girl 6]

memememememe!!! I want to be a judge!! :D

I will be ready to eat chocolate again by then! And, I think you all know how much I love chocolate!

I'll bring some... Ghiradelli chocolate. Okay, it's lame, but it's the one chocolate that is supposed to represent us here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I know other chocolates will beat it, though. Hmmm... Maybe I'll bring Godiva chocolate too! :D

G6

[CFLarsen]

It is true.

Don't woo women with jewelry, poetry, roses, trips to exotic places, moonlight dinners or champagne for breakfast.

Just throw them some chocies, and they'll grovel at your feet.... :)

[SkepticScott]

Since I'm not competing in the "national chocolate challenge", just bringing some for variety, I hereby seize power and declare myself organizer. We have:

Competitor and country
-------------------------------
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium (challenged, hasn't accepted yet)


Judges
---------
Bad Astronomer, The
Chanileslie
Girl6
Renata

When do people want to do this? I think the best two times would be either during the 3:30 break on Friday, or Saturday night.

(edited to fix typo)

[renata]

Originally posted by SkepticScott

Judges
---------
Bad Astronomer, The
Chanileslie
Girl6
Renata



Hey!!! I volunteered first!!! I should be first in line!!! Head judge and someone who gets the biggest pieces!

(Put me down for some Russian chocolate- not quite chocolate, actually, it is candy called Bird's Milk covered in chocolate. Since it is not real chocolate, it may not be a suitable entry, though)

And, decide on location and we need to have something to drink! Water? Tea? And decide on a double blind experimental procedure of some sort :)

[bug_girl]

hmmmm,.......
i wasn't going to come to TAM, but if you have belgian chocolate.....

(blatant suck up to exarch:))

((wait, does this count as influencing the judges? am i going to be reported to the moderator? oops.))

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by renata
Hey!!! I volunteered first!!! I should be first in line!!! Head judge and someone who gets the biggest pieces!I was listing people alphabetically. Just because you have the fastest keyboard doesn't mean you are the best chocolate taster! ;)

(Put me down for some Russian chocolate- not quite chocolate, actually, it is candy called Bird's Milk covered in chocolate. Since it is not real chocolate, it may not be a suitable entry, though)Noted. I added a non-national competitor section.

And, decide on location and we need to have something to drink! Water? Tea? And decide on a double blind experimental procedure of some sort :) We might have to wait until we get to TAM2 before we can pick a location. I don't know how big this event will become, but if it gets large enough I'll bet Linda would be willing to help if we offer her a chance to judge. Beverages to clear the palate is a good suggestion, renata. I think water or a weak tea -- nothing too strong -- would be required.

How do we want to do this? I could give each judge a piece, have them rate it on a scale of 1 (bad) to 10 (good). It might be more fun to just let everybody sample and rate freely. Totally unscientific but more of a chocolate-fueled party.


UPDATE:

National competitors and country
-------------------------------
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium (challenged, hasn't accepted yet)

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
Renata (Russian candy)
SkepticScott (chocolate from New England)

Judges
---------
Bad Astronomer, The
Chanileslie
Girl6
Renata

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

[CFLarsen]

As The Bringer of Valrhona, I would just like to be purr-fectly clear.

I cannot be bought. But I can be had. :)

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by bug_girl
(snip) ((wait, does this count as influencing the judges? am i going to be reported to the moderator? oops.)) No, but if you show up to judge, I'll have a special "Biased Judge" badge for you. :)

[renata]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
I was listing people alphabetically. Just because you have the fastest keyboard doesn't mean you are the best chocolate taster! ;)

Hmpf!!! You will pay for this!


How do we want to do this? I could give each judge a piece, have them rate it on a scale of 1 (bad) to 10 (good). It might be more fun to just let everybody sample and rate freely. Totally unscientific but more of a chocolate-fueled party.


We could have a quick contest (depending on the entries) judge the winner and then simply have a dessert party :)

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by renata
Hmpf!!! You will pay for this! (snip)Why do I have this eerie feeling that I've just lost my head and had my title changed over at mu.nu?

[exarch]

Yes!! I accept the challenge :D

I was going to pack lots of chocolate anyway, and then get rid of it during TAM, which would leave room in my luggage for souvenirs.

Some skepchicks I expect will also want to judge (but they may not know about this thread yet):
- Kittynh
- Wyvern
- MoeFaux ?

[Wyvern]

[a la Sally in 'When Harry Met Sally'] Oh . . . ohhh . . . yes . . . yeeeees . . . yes!! . . . YES!!! [/a la Sally in 'When Harry Met Sally']
*remembers self*
*clears throat*
*composes self*

Why, yes. I believe I could make myself available to assist with that duty. You may add me to the judging roster.

Is anybody coming to TAM2 from Switzerland? I like Swiss chocolate . . .

You know what? You all better bring a truck-load of chocolate or this thing could turn real ugly.

[kittynh]

I am ready willing and able!

I will say that BY LAW Belgium chocolate is the best in the world. They have defied even the EU and have set a higher minimum standard for fat content in their chocolate!

Bring dark and light chocolates people!!!!

(maybe some of that Leonidas stuff for the competition....)

I know I am very PRO Belgium chocolates, but since I am thinking this will be a "blind" test I'm sure I'll be fair!

Chocolates.....yum........

[SkepticScott]

National competitors and country
-------------------------------
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
Renata (Russian candy)
SkepticScott (Van Otis chocolate)

Judges
---------
Chanileslie
Girl6
kittynh
renata
The Bad Astronomer
Wyvern

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

[tamiO]

Originally posted by renata

And decide on a double blind experimental procedure of some sort :)

You just want to wear a blindfold. ;)

[renata]

Originally posted by tamiO


You just want to wear a blindfold. ;)

LOL! I knew someone would make that crack sooner or later....But...being blindfolded...being fed exquisite chocolate...I can tell you, there are worse ways to spend an afternoon! :p

Oh, and Skeptic Scott- your punishment will come! ;)

[darling]

I see we have nobody representing the great British chocolates - Cadbury's, Galaxy and such and such.

I suppose this is only to be expected - it's not much of a competition if the best chocolate in the world is included :D

[Ladewig]

Is no one going to defend Dutch chocolate?



I'm like a chocoholic, but with alcohol.

[Mercutio]

As a glutton with no ties to any chocolate-boasting nation, I offer my services as a judge. Failing that, as supervisor to Renata's blindfolding and feeding...




...failing that, I'll be at the bar....

[MoeFaux]

I accept your challenge. Bring it on.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I'll bring the Hershey's!!!

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by Wyvern
You know what? You all better bring a truck-load of chocolate or this thing could turn real ugly.

It sure seems likely that it will turn.....real sweet! :)

[SkepticScott]

Budddyh wrote:
"I see we have nobody representing the great British chocolates - Cadbury's, Galaxy and such and such."

Ladewig wrote:
"Is no one going to defend Dutch chocolate?"

If you could bring some British or Dutch chocolate you're welcome to join the competition.

Mercutio wrote:
"As a glutton with no ties to any chocolate-boasting nation, I offer my services as a judge. Failing that, as supervisor to Renata's blindfolding and feeding"

I'd better add you to the list of judges; the skepdudes would get too jealous if you got your fallback position. ;)

UPDATE:

National competitors and country
-------------------------------
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
Renata (Russian candy)
SkepticScott (Van Otis chocolate)
The Central Scrutinizer (Hershey's chocolate)

Judges
---------
Chanileslie
Girl6
kittynh
Mercutio
MoeFaux
renata
The Bad Astronomer
Wyvern

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

[kittynh]

I may bring some local NH chocolate, but as they studied in Belgium and indeed import their chocolate from Belgium in block form, it might be unfair. Burdicks in Walpole< NH will charge you $3.00 for a little chocolate mouse, so I may skip on bringing it!

[Linda]

OMG! I am so in for this challenge. Thank you Scott, for bringing it to my attention. I'll be happy....no, thrilled.....no, ecstatic to be a judge.

[CFLarsen]

I just bought the chocies, and upped the ante: Not three kinds but four:

Guanaja, Caraïbe, Jivara, and Manjari.

150 grams of each.

I warn you, though: This is not your gobble-down ordinary chocies, this is hardcore chocolate. So go easy on it....there have been reports of women in frenzy.... ;)

[exarch]

Should I also bring some of the 75% cacao stuff?

[Girl 6]

Just bring it on! And, yes, I'm down for the blindfolds, as well.

:D

G6

[darling]

Originally posted by The Central Scrutinizer
I'll bring the Hershey's!!! Ah, the grand triumph of optimism over experience. Like the Cubs trying to make the World Series...

Originally posted by SkepticScott
If you could bring some British or Dutch chocolate you're welcome to join the competition. T'would be like the Beatles entering a battle of the bands competition, but you, my friend, are on.

What? Is trash talking not appropriate for a chocolate competition?

[Marc]

chocolate and blindfolds?

Should I be bringing chocolate body paints for this competition? ;)

[CFLarsen]

I think the "contestants" need to be blindfolded, actually. Or, at least, not know which chocolates are being served.

Do we need score cards? Or maybe those little signs they hold up in skating competitions? :)

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Marc
chocolate and blindfolds?

Should I be bringing chocolate body paints for this competition? ;)

Nah... We need some cherries. :D

G6

[renata]

Originally posted by Girl 6


Nah... We need some cherries. :D

G6

I actually was going to bring a flat of fresh strawberries, being mindfull of our Northern friends. We grow strawberries all year round :D

This contest is growing rapidly. The judges are becoming more numerous than the contestants! I agree with Wyvern- this will get very ugly, very soon....This sounds like a fun thing, but I now feel people might feel left out from chocolate judging....Not that I am giving up my hard won spot :)

Weren't we going to have a JREF board people party anyway? It could be combined.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by renata


I actually was going to bring a flat of fresh strawberries, being mindfull of our Northern friends. We grow strawberries all year round :D

This contest is growing rapidly. The judges are becoming more numerous than the contestants! I agree with Wyvern- this will get very ugly, very soon....This sounds like a fun thing, but I now feel people might feel left out from chocolate judging....Not that I am giving up my hard won spot :)

Weren't we going to have a JREF board people party anyway? It could be combined.

Yes, we ARE going to have a JREF forum party! :D This can be the start of the party!

[SkepticScott]

If this is going to be the start of the JREF forum party, then we should do this Saturday night. (Is that when the party is going to be?) This is going to grow too big to hold during the Friday afternoon break!

[MoeFaux]

You mean that this isn't going to take place during G6's event? I just assumed....G6 and chocolate...no? Hey, I've got to have SOMETHING to do; I don't drink.

[Chanileslie]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
It is true.

Don't woo women with jewelry, poetry, roses, trips to exotic places, moonlight dinners or champagne for breakfast.

Just throw them some chocies, and they'll grovel at your feet.... :)

Chocolate is good, but it isn't that good!!! Give me jewelry!! :)

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by Chanileslie
Chocolate is good, but it isn't that good!!! Give me jewelry!! :)

Well, you haven't tasted the chocolate I am bringing... :)

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
You mean that this isn't going to take place during G6's event? I just assumed....G6 and chocolate...no? Hey, I've got to have SOMETHING to do; I don't drink. Isn't G6's "event" the forum party? Or do you mean the ladies-only pole dancing class in G6's room? The chocolate competition can be the start of G6's forum party, but it can't be at the pole dancing. Well, at least not without a lot of changes to both events.

I plan on bringing some sort of badge for every that signs up ahead of time. They'll have "National competitor", "Other competitor", "Judge", and/or "Biased Judge" (for competitor that's judging) on them, as appropriate *. People that show up at the last minute will be competitors or just "Chocolate Lover"; sorry, no last-minute judges. (I have to use my power somewhere!)

I don't think we should go all-out, with blindfolded judges and people handing chocolates to them. I will bring numbered cards, and vote cards for the judges. I figure we can display the chocolate, covering any identifying marks on the boxes, and refer to them by number. How do people think we should decide the competition? Rate each entry on a scale of 1 to 10, and the one with the best average wins? Each judge picks the top 3, and the one with the most votes wins?

UPDATE:

National competitors and countries
--------------------------------------------
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
kittynh (chocolate from Burdicks)
Renata (Russian candy)
SkepticScott (Van Otis chocolate)
The Central Scrutinizer (Hershey's chocolate)

Judges
---------
Chanileslie
Girl6
kittynh
Linda
Mercutio
MoeFaux
renata
The Bad Astronomer
Wyvern

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott


* I'll probably just make a "Me" badge for myself.

[Girl 6]

I think the judges should bring their own blindfolds. Mine will be be black lace. ;) Otherwise, I will have to represent my posse from Oaktown (Oakland, CA) with my colors. :D

G6

[renata]

You know, when I said "double blind" I merely meant someone will present the samples in random order (labeled A B C etc) and judges will have no idea what they are tasting, and neither will the organizer, so as not to influence the result. Blindfolds....pah!!! We really are a coven of degenerates!

Although...seing the Bad Astronomer in a blindfold....hmmmm :D

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by Girl 6
I think the judges should bring their own blindfolds. Mine will be be black lace. ;) (snip)Lace makes a rather poor blindfold with all those holes.;)

Originally posted by renata
You know, when I said "double blind" I merely meant someone will present the samples in random order (labeled A B C etc) and judges will have no idea what they are tasting, and neither will the organizer, so as not to influence the result. Blindfolds....pah!!! We really are a coven of degenerates!I think the number scheme (above) would be close enough for this half-party, half-experiment contest. Besides, I want to do something besides just give chocolate to skepchicks. Wait a moment ... me ... chocolate ... skepchicks ... (lightbulb smiley). On, second thought, renata, you have an excellent plan!

Although...seing the Bad Astronomer in a blindfold....hmmmm :D Unless you plan on bringing a lace blindfold yourself, you won't be able to see him blindfolded. Or do you do the "peak alongside your nose" trick?

[MoeFaux]

Ah...the difference between me and G6...
I'd choose a leather hood.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
You mean that this isn't going to take place during G6's event? I just assumed....G6 and chocolate...no? Hey, I've got to have SOMETHING to do; I don't drink.

Oh, I'll give you SOMETHING to do!!! Bwahahahahahaha!

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
Ah...the difference between me and G6...
I'd choose a leather hood. That reminds me...

I am assuming that the hotel has access to a defibrillator...yes?

[The Bad Astronomer]

Originally posted by renata
]Although...seing the Bad Astronomer in a blindfold....hmmmm :D

I can't help you there. I've never seen me in a blindfold.

[SkepticScott]

Using extensive computer simulation, I've been able to determine what BA looks like in a blindfold. This is what he sees while looking in a mirror, blindfolded. By coincidence it's also exactly what a blindfolded renata would see if she looked at a blindfolded Bad Astronomer. :)

[Peter Jenkins]

[Throws down glove]
We have to defend our national honour
Annabel suggests Galaxy and Thorntons for the british entries.
We'll see you there

[/Throws down glove]

Peter

[Mercutio]

I was in a store today that had Belgian, Swiss, French, Italian, Austrian, English, and several types of American chocolates. It was only with great effort that I chose to keep my taste buds blind by not spending a whole lot of money. As we get closer to TAM, I may be able to fill in some of the blanks in terms of chocolates to taste (although most will not be "direct from [country]"). To maintain my judges credentials, however, I will make no claim of allegiance to any chocolates I may be bringing.

[CFLarsen]

Mercutio,

Can you get chocolate from Planet X? :D

[kittynh]

Pool Boy is getting Vegas fever and suggested melting the chocolate to be licked off by the judges....I have told him that while this won't get you arrested in Vegas, in Puritan New England you can be jailed for even thinking such a thing.

He may or may not be let out of jail by TAM2. Meanwhile Nova Land is enjoying the company.

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by kittynh
Pool Boy is getting Vegas fever and suggested melting the chocolate to be licked off by the judges....I have told him that while this won't get you arrested in Vegas, in Puritan New England you can be jailed for even thinking such a thing.

That may be so. However, I prefer not to watch dripping chocolate being licked of The Bad As(s)tronomer... :)

(This, incidentally, indicates the big 6K post for me. Wheee!... :))

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
Mercutio,

Can you get chocolate from Planet X? :D
I was thinking of making and bringing some habanero truffles...that might qualify as planet Xish...but I must keep my judgeship unsullied...


I do fly out of Manchester (oddly enough, Manch-Vegas, to locals), and could stop by Shemp's to see if he has any Planet X chocolate...

[Chaos]

*bump (selfishly)*

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by CFLarsen


That may be so. However, I prefer not to watch dripping chocolate being licked of The Bad As(s)tronomer... :)

(This, incidentally, indicates the big 6K post for me. Wheee!... :))

Um, I volunteer! ;)

:D

G6

[SkepticScott]

CURRENT STATUS:
We have four entries in the national competition, and five "other" entries. There are nine official judges.

National competitors and countries
--------------------------------------------
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium
Peter Jenkins, Britain

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
kittynh (chocolate from Burdicks)
Renata (Russian candy)
SkepticScott (Van Otis chocolate)
The Central Scrutinizer (Hershey's chocolate)

Judges
---------
Chanileslie
Girl6
kittynh
Linda
Mercutio
MoeFaux
renata
The Bad Astronomer
Wyvern

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

I'm not buying that description of you, Scott! :p

Wait a minute... Is someone going to have a digital camera on the premises? This may get ugly... :D

G6

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by Girl 6
I'm not buying that description of you, Scott! :pDrat, I've been found out!Wait a minute... Is someone going to have a digital camera on the premises? This may get ugly... :DI'll have my camera at TAM2 and will take photos of all the chocolate-smeared faces. Some, after proper editing, will surely make their way to the web.

[darling]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
National competitors and countries
--------------------------------------------
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium
Peter Jenkins, Britain Wait, did I not take up the British chocolate mantle?

No worries, more chocolate for me :D

[SkepticScott]

I'm sorry Budddyh, I thought you were just extolling the virtues of British chocolate, not bringing any. You may want to coordinate with Peter Jenkins to avoid duplicating your efforts.

CURRENT STATUS:
We have five entries in the national competition, and five "other" entries. There are nine official judges.

National competitors and countries
--------------------------------------------
budddyh, Britain
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
Exarch, Belgium
Peter Jenkins, Britain

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
kittynh (chocolate from Burdicks)
Renata (Russian candy)
SkepticScott (Van Otis chocolate)
The Central Scrutinizer (Hershey's chocolate)

Judges
---------
Chanileslie
Girl6
kittynh
Linda
Mercutio
MoeFaux
renata
The Bad Astronomer
Wyvern

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

[The Bad Astronomer]

Now I'm confused. Am I licking chocolate off someone, getting it licked off me, or watching someone (possibly me) getting chocolate licked off them?

If this thread ever gets to the National Academy of Sciences, then I will claim my IP and login was spoofed.

[Chanileslie]

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Now I'm confused. Am I licking chocolate off someone, getting it licked off me, or watching someone (possibly me) getting chocolate licked off them?

If this thread ever gets to the National Academy of Sciences, then I will claim my IP and login was spoofed.

You are quite welcome to lick the chocolate off your own lips and fingers. :p

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Now I'm confused. Am I licking chocolate off someone, getting it licked off me, or watching someone (possibly me) getting chocolate licked off them?

If this thread ever gets to the National Academy of Sciences, then I will claim my IP and login was spoofed.

uh-huh... :p

Well, I thought it was all about tasting the chocolate and declaring the winner. ;)

G6

[Ladewig]

At the risk of being used as just another straight line

With nine judges, how much stuff should each competitor bring?


---------------------
What will the judges use to cleanse their palates between tastings?

[CFLarsen]

Originally posted by Ladewig
With nine judges, how much stuff should each competitor bring?

I'm bringing 150 grams of each of the 4 chocolates.

Not enough to gorge upon, but plenty anyway: It is all flavor... :)

[Girl 6]

Well, with 9 judges, there should at least be nine squares each of the various chocolates being judged. :)

For me, I only need one bite of anything to judge whether it is worthy of another bite. And, you can take that ANY way you want to... :D

G6

[exarch]

Hmm, how much could I legally import without it being smuggling?

[SkepticScott]

Bump to get it above the 'moved' threads.

Info on bringing food into the U.S.A. can be found at http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=fNNgAt_g&p_lva=&p_faqid=82&p_created=1043364936&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NDk3J nBfcGFnZT0x&p_li= .

Two sentences to note: "Bakery items, candy and all cured cheese are generally admissible." and "Failure to declare all food products can result in civil penalties." So it's OK to being the chocolate but be sure to declare it!

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by exarch
Hmm, how much could I legally import without it being smuggling?

We'll spring you from jail, exarch! :D

G6

[Wyvern]

Originally posted by Girl 6


We'll spring you from jail, exarch! :D

G6
Keep you wits about you, exarch. Don't tell anybody where you hid the chocolate until you've actually been sprung.

[Lisa]

To whoever is bringing the Milka...I'll post your bail.

[kittynh]

so Lisa! You coming????

[Chaos]

Originally posted by Lisa
To whoever is bringing the Milka...I'll post your bail.

That would be me, then...

Looking forward to it :D

[Lisa]

Originally posted by kittynh
so Lisa! You coming????
Not even breathing hard at this point.
Yes, I'll be attending TAM II though.
Our lovely lady Wyvern said she'd room with me. By the time we knew Ed was getting a contract, the rooms were gone. Since Wyvern said she'd room with me, I'll be able to attend.
Orginally, I'd wanted to hear all the guest speakers. Do you know Bob Park is the only person I've ever written a fan letter to? However, since this whole chocolate contest thing came up, I'm re-examining my priorities.

[exarch]

Originally posted by Wyvern
Keep you wits about you, exarch. Don't tell anybody where you hid the chocolate until you've actually been sprung.So would offering the customs officer a piece of chocolate be considered a bribe then?

And just for clarity, there aren't many places you can safely hide chocolate. Ick ...


Customs officer: What's brown and sticky?
exarch: A twig?
Customs officer: No, that stuff at the bottom of your suitcase.

[renata]

Originally posted by Lisa

Not even breathing hard at this point.
Yes, I'll be attending TAM II though.
Our lovely lady Wyvern said she'd room with me.

Wyvern is fantastic, we met at a Skeptic lecture and lunch and dinner in Pasadena. Little tip- when she is not expecting it- lean in to her and whisper: Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman, Batman. :)


Glad you are coming :)

[CFLarsen]

Additionally, I'll bring, from the Whizzo Chocolate Company:

The Cherry Fondue
Extremely nasty, but not prosecutable.

Crunchy Frog
The finest baby frogs (raw), dew picked and flown from Iraq, cleansed in the finest quality spring water, lightly killed, and sealed in a succulent Swiss quintuple-smooth full-cream treble milk chocolate envelope, and lovingly frosted with glucose! (If the bones were taken out, it wouldn't be crunchy).

Ram's Bladder Cup
The choicest juicy chunks of fresh Cornish ram's bladder, emptied, steamed, flavored with sesame seeds, whipped into a fondue, and garnished with larks' vomit!

Worthy of mention:
Cockroach Cluster
Anthrax Ripple

And, of course:
Spring Surprise
The speciality! Covered in darkest, velvety smooth chocolate, when you pop it into your mouth, stainless steel bolts spring out and punch straight through both cheeks!

Anyone for seconds....? :)

[Jeff Corey]

Crunchy Frog? You are bringing a Hungarian rock band with you?
Just the thing for our Magyar-speaking attendees.

[deBergerac]

Since we have chocolate in Sweden as well I might bring some for you to taste. I hope all the rest will still be in the challange and not give up.

[Chanileslie]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
Additionally, I'll bring, from the Whizzo Chocolate Company:

The Cherry Fondue
Extremely nasty, but not prosecutable.

Crunchy Frog
The finest baby frogs (raw), dew picked and flown from Iraq, cleansed in the finest quality spring water, lightly killed, and sealed in a succulent Swiss quintuple-smooth full-cream treble milk chocolate envelope, and lovingly frosted with glucose! (If the bones were taken out, it wouldn't be crunchy).

Ram's Bladder Cup
The choicest juicy chunks of fresh Cornish ram's bladder, emptied, steamed, flavored with sesame seeds, whipped into a fondue, and garnished with larks' vomit!

Worthy of mention:
Cockroach Cluster
Anthrax Ripple

And, of course:
Spring Surprise
The speciality! Covered in darkest, velvety smooth chocolate, when you pop it into your mouth, stainless steel bolts spring out and punch straight through both cheeks!

Anyone for seconds....? :)

What more could you expect from a British sweets maker. The British have been torturing, um, cooking food for centuries now.

Although, I must say, I have always been rather fond of the Crunchy Frogs. :D :p

[MoeFaux]

I've had chocolate covered crickets, does that count? They were actually good, and reminded me of a Nestle Crunch Bar. I ate a couple of handfuls.

Anywho....
Guess what?!

Last night, while watching a movie, I managed to squeeze an M&M into my mouth. Hard work, but I did it. Ecstatic, I ate about 6 more. I can't chew, but I would just pop them in one at a time and let them melt. It was wonderful. YUM!

[Wyvern]

Originally posted by CFLarsen
. . .
Crunchy Frog
The finest baby frogs (raw), dew picked and flown from Iraq, cleansed in the finest quality spring water, lightly killed, and sealed in a succulent Swiss quintuple-smooth full-cream treble milk chocolate envelope, and lovingly frosted with glucose! (If the bones were taken out, it wouldn't be crunchy).
. . .

Um, that's not exactly what I had in mind when I indicated a fondness for Swiss chocolate . . .

[kittynh]

Moe, it sounds like you are using more calories to get the M&M in your mouth than you are getting from eating it! Fudge, how about fudge??

[Marc]

Originally posted by MoeFaux
I've had chocolate covered crickets, does that count? They were actually good, and reminded me of a Nestle Crunch Bar. I ate a couple of handfuls.

Anywho....
Guess what?!

Last night, while watching a movie, I managed to squeeze an M&M into my mouth. Hard work, but I did it. Ecstatic, I ate about 6 more. I can't chew, but I would just pop them in one at a time and let them melt. It was wonderful. YUM!

Cool! you'll be having real food again before you know it.


There is still a standing offer (from many people I suspect) to chew the food for you. ;)

[The Bad Astronomer]

Congrats, Moe!

I have been practicing diligently for my role as Chocolate Judge. I have eaten 200 grams of Toblerone already since yesterday. And M&Ms, non pareils, chocolate mints, fudge...

[Linda]

Ok, I'm withdrawing as a judge from the contest. Started a diet last Friday, and I plan on sticking to it. Actually, not a diet per se, but an alternative way of looking at food and sugar is not part of it. So by publicly announcing the fact, I will count on you all to keep me from temptation. I must be really psyched to do this too, as the thought of withdrawing as a judge is really not painful at all. I've lost the 4 pounds I gained since Thanksgiving so far.

[Byzantine Magpie]

If it's not too late to take part in this august event, I'd like to enter some chocolate from Australia.

Not only does this chocolate come in the form of biscuits/cookies, their name is appropriate for the event, as they are none other than: Tim Tams!

(They are also popularly consumed with coffee by means of the Tim Tam Slam, which can be explained in greater detail closer to the event.)

[Peter Jenkins]

Originally posted by Byzantine Magpie
If it's not too late to take part in this august event,
Hey Dude, It's in January!
:D
P

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Byzantine Magpie
If it's not too late to take part in this august event, I'd like to enter some chocolate from Australia.

Not only does this chocolate come in the form of biscuits/cookies, their name is appropriate for the event, as they are none other than: Tim Tams!

(They are also popularly consumed with coffee by means of the Tim Tam Slam, which can be explained in greater detail closer to the event.)
Speaking only as a judge, not as an organizer, I say BRING IT ON!

[kittynh]

first, I volunteer to eat Linda's chocolate.

Also, I'm not bringing chocolate as I have to figure out how to pack all my shoes and a bunch of t shirts....

I do have an extra box from Brussels I will try to sneak in though.

[exarch]

So with the T-shirts gone you'll have room for chocolate huh?

:D

[PeterB]

Originally posted by Peter Jenkins

Hey Dude, It's in January!
:DForgive him. The weather in January in Las Vegas is like August in Canberra. Except not as wet and miserable, I hope.:hit:

[SkepticScott]

"Skeptics Choice" International Chocolate Challenge

CURRENT STATUS:
We have seven entries in the national competition, and five "other" entries. There are eight official judges.

National competitors and countries
--------------------------------------------
budddyh, Britain
Byzantine Magpie, Australia
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
deBergerac, Sweden
Exarch, Belgium
Peter Jenkins, Britain

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
kittynh (chocolate from Burdicks)
Renata (Russian candy)
SkepticScott (Van Otis chocolate)
The Central Scrutinizer (Hershey's chocolate)

Judges
---------
Chanileslie
Girl6
kittynh
Mercutio
MoeFaux
renata
The Bad Astronomer
Wyvern

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

Voting: We'll remove each box top and number the chocolates. The judges will pick their top three; the one with the most votes wins! The lack of a formal protocol is intentional so the losers can have a scapegoat. ;)

WHEN: Saturday night, at the start of Girl 6's party.

WHERE: Girl 6's party.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by kittynh
first, I volunteer to eat Linda's chocolate.

Also, I'm not bringing chocolate as I have to figure out how to pack all my shoes and a bunch of t shirts....

I do have an extra box from Brussels I will try to sneak in though.

Kitty, you can always send the shirts ahead of time via FedEx or USPS (Priority Mail). I've done that whenever I've had to send materials to a conference or a business trip. It works like a charm!

G6

[Finella]

did I smell chocolate... ?

Gotta judge! Gotta judge!! Can I, can I? :)

And just 'cause my man is submitting a British sample doesn't mean I'll be biased. Really. I like aaaaaaallll chocolate. Not discriminatory in the least.

---,--'--{@

[Zep]

DREADFUL stuff.

http://www.sptimes.com/News/021000/photos/taste-pour.jpg

[Sidhedevil]

Kitty, if you'd like me to bring the Burdick's (their Cambridge, MA location is inches from my home), I can do that.

Also, I note that Scharffen Berger is not representin' here. Shirley we are not properly depicting the breadth and scope of the USerican chocolate industry without Scharffen Berger. And the Lake Champlain Chocolate Company of Vermont.

What sort of quantities are we looking at having to bring to qualify as an entry? Because I can certainly add Scharffen Berger and Lake Champlain to the US chocolate flight!

[Luciana]

Brazil a great producer of the following products: cocoa, milk and sugar. We have had a considerable Swiss colonization. Need I say more? :p I'll bring a box. :)

[kittynh]

totally sidhedevil, though Burdicks uses Belgium chocolate, so I don't think that's fair. A lot of the US companies get their chocolate from Belgium then shape it here in the US.

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by Sidhedevil
Kitty, if you'd like me to bring the Burdick's (their Cambridge, MA location is inches from my home), I can do that.

Also, I note that Scharffen Berger is not representin' here. Shirley we are not properly depicting the breadth and scope of the USerican chocolate industry without Scharffen Berger. And the Lake Champlain Chocolate Company of Vermont.

What sort of quantities are we looking at having to bring to qualify as an entry? Because I can certainly add Scharffen Berger and Lake Champlain to the US chocolate flight!
Hi Sidhedevil,
You should bring enough for the nine judges to sample, and as much more as you want for the rest of the people at the party. I didn't know you and your husband were near Boston. If I had known I would have invited you both to the pre-TAM get-together Supercharts, Repcon, Paul C. Anagnostopoulos and I had in Littleton.

[SkepticScott]

"Skeptics Choice" International Chocolate Challenge

FINAL STATUS:
We have eight entries in the national competition, and six "other" entries. There are nine official judges.

National competitors and countries
--------------------------------------------
budddyh, Britain
Byzantine Magpie, Australia
CFLarsen, Denmark
Chaos, Germany
deBergerac, Sweden
Exarch, Belgium
Luciana Nery, Brazil
Peter Jenkins, Britain

Other entries
-----------------
Girl6 (Ghiradelli, and possibly Godiva, chocolate)
kittynh (Burdicks chocolate)
Renata (Russian candy)
Sidhedevil (Burdicks chocolate)
SkepticScott (Van Otis chocolate)
The Central Scrutinizer (Hershey's chocolate)

Judges
---------
Chanileslie
Finella
Girl6
kittynh
Mercutio
MoeFaux
renata
The Bad Astronomer
Wyvern

Over-worked and
Under-chocolated
Organizer
-----------------------
SkepticScott

Voting: We'll remove each box top and number the chocolates. The judges will pick their top three; the one with the most votes wins! The lack of a formal protocol is intentional so the losers can have a scapegoat (me). ;)

WHEN: Saturday night, at the start of Girl 6's party.

WHERE: Girl 6's party.

I'm printing the name tags tonight, but I'll make some extras just in case.

[The Bad Astronomer]

Have we established a protocol for the judging yet? I may have missed it in this thread.

I think it should be a single blind test, to avoid complications. We can label the pieces of chocolate "A" through whatever, with a master list identifying which chocolate has which label.

The only problem I see with this is that most chocolate has a distinctive shape. A Hershey's kiss would be fairly obvious. :)

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Have we established a protocol for the judging yet? I may have missed it in this thread.

I think it should be a single blind test, to avoid complications. We can label the pieces of chocolate "A" through whatever, with a master list identifying which chocolate has which label.

The only problem I see with this is that most chocolate has a distinctive shape. A Hershey's kiss would be fairly obvious. :) Hi BA, I plan to leave it fairly loose but try to make it a single-blind test. I've made "1" through "20" cards to label the chocolates, and have blank cards for the judges to write their top three choices. This way the protocol will have enough flaws so the losers will be able to blame it for their loss and won't feel bad.

I picked up a pound of chocolate from Van Otis yesterday. I naturally got a few extra pieces so I could check the quality before the contest. Yumm. :)

[kittynh]

oookkkkkk

How about unwrap all the chocolate, throw in big pile in middle of room? When you taste something expecially yummy say, "Dis goob" and keep eating.

Everyone pass out in chocolate orgy pile. Get kicked our of Vegas. Shame JREF forever.

[SkepticScott]

Kittynh, everything except the "shame JREF forever" and "get kicked out of Vegas" sounds like a fine way to dispose of the remaining chocolate after the winner has been crowned. :)

[The Bad Astronomer]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
...dispose of the remaining chocolate

Wow. You guys don't know me very well. There won't be any remaining chocolate.

[Doubt]

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Congrats, Moe!

I have been practicing diligently for my role as Chocolate Judge. I have eaten 200 grams of Toblerone already since yesterday. And M&Ms, non pareils, chocolate mints, fudge...

Keep up that pace and we may have to call you The Wide Astronomer.

:D

[Sidhedevil]

Originally posted by kittynh
When you taste something expecially yummy say, "Dis goob" and keep eating.

Isn't that proper chocolate procedure?

Okay, then, I'm bringing Burdick's, Lake Champlain Chocolate, and Scharffen Berger.

Scott, thanks for the belated invitation to Littleton, but I'm still trying to cling to my air of mystery.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by The Bad Astronomer
Have we established a protocol for the judging yet? I may have missed it in this thread.

I think it should be a single blind test, to avoid complications. We can label the pieces of chocolate "A" through whatever, with a master list identifying which chocolate has which label.

The only problem I see with this is that most chocolate has a distinctive shape. A Hershey's kiss would be fairly obvious. :)

I'm bringing the blindfolds, people! :D

G6

[exarch]

Originally posted by Girl 6
I'm bringing the blindfolds, people! :DI envy the skeptic who gets to feed the judges the pieces of chocolate :(

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by exarch
I envy the skeptic who gets to feed the judges the pieces of chocolate :( That would be me as "organizer" in most cases. :) Mercutio and The Bad Astronomer will get their chocolate handed to them. The other judges, well, husbands get dibs, but that still leaves a few judges ... ;)

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
That would be me as "organizer" in most cases. :) Mercutio and The Bad Astronomer will get their chocolate handed to them. The other judges, well, husbands get dibs, but that still leaves a few judges ... ;) Damn my timing...I just came up with a job for Cleopatra, and she won't be there!

[Sidhedevil]

Chocolate has been obtained, at the risk of frostbite. I am bringing it to the conference on Thursday because it looks so good that I refuse to spend a night with it in my hotel room!

[SkepticScott]

After a the judges finished their chocolate melee, the results came in. The top three chocolates were:

First place went to Schanferberger, with 7 votes.
Second place was Van Otis, with 6 votes.
Third place went to Galaxy, with 5 votes.

(Each judge picked the three best, and there were about 11 judges. I lost count with last minute additions. When a skepchick tells you she promised Jamy Ian Swiss that he could be a judge, you don't say no!)

[Luciana]

Scharffen Berger is the chocolate's name, according to this pic in a higher resolution.

Btw: the table was exceedingly messy by the time that chocolate orgy was over. I'm glad no one has kept evidence of that! :D

[jj]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
After a the judges finished their chocolate melee, the results came in. The top three chocolates were:

First place went to Schanferberger, with 7 votes.
Second place was Van Otis, with 6 votes.
Third place went to Galaxy, with 5 votes.

(Each judge picked the three best, and there were about 11 judges. I lost count with last minute additions. When a skepchick tells you she promised Jamy Ian Swiss that he could be a judge, you don't say no!)

Ok, ok, where can you get this Sharfenberger? Enquiring minds want to know!

[SkepticScott]

I believe Girl 6 brought it from California.

[Brown]

I missed the chocolate challenge because I was presented with an opportunity that I simply could not pass up. (I will not discuss this opportunity at this time, but I will discuss it later. Suffice it to say that I am extremely glad that I did not pass up this opportunity.)

Anyway, I did have a chance to taste some of the leftover chocolates the following day. My opinion, such as it is, is that some of the samples did not deserve to be called "chocolate." Yuck! I suspect that the reason these samples were left over is because others held a similar opinion. Not one of the samples was as good as a Hershey's kiss.

[The Bad Astronomer]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
Btw: the table was exceedingly messy by the time that chocolate orgy was over. I'm glad no one has kept evidence of that! :D

You spoke too soon!


http://www.badastronomy.com/pix/tamii/chocolate_web.jpg

[exarch]

Quoting the OP:Originally posted by Chaos
Mr. "Belgian chocolate is the best in the world" Exarch, I hereby

challenge

you to prove this once and for all. :p


Let us settle the matter at TAM2.

I will bring German chocolate - brand: Milka, type: full-cream milk - to the meeting, you will bring Belgian chocolate - any brand, full-cream milk type.

Then we let the skepchicks present at TAM2 decide which is better. :fg:Since only a few entries actually met those requirements, all others, including Sharffen Berger, Van Otis and Galaxy are technically disqualified.

MoeFaux and Luciana are my witnesses that some of the best chocolate, which I didn't bother to enter in the contest for the above mentioned reason (but instead handed out to various skepchicks as presents :D) is far superior anyway :p

[Sidhedevil]

Girl 6 lives right near the Scharffen Berger factory (yet another reason to worship and envy her), but I actually brought said Scharffen Berger from the Boston area.
It is available in the US at Whole Foods Markets.

Phil Plait and I had a conversation about getting even more in-depth for the Chocolate Challenge II next year...the word "mouthfeel" was used several times...

I think a "dark" category, a "milk" category, and an "other distinguished uses of chocolate" category (cf. Tim Tams and other cookie/biscuits) may be indicated.

[Girl 6]

Eh, I hate to trumpet the TRIUMPH of San Francisco Bay Area chocolate, but....

NYAH, NYAH, NYAH!!!!

Take that, you Swiss chocolate lovers! SO THERE!! :p

:D

G6

[Luciana]

That only means that somebody in the US has imported the Swiss or Belgium technology chocolate-wise. Because the true American chocolate, per se... :p

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Luciana Nery
That only means that somebody in the US has imported the Swiss or Belgium technology chocolate-wise. Because the true American chocolate, per se... :p

:roll:

Well, here's an article about the chocolate voted THE BEST from the Chocolate Challenge: :D

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/12/21/MNG8H3RVSH1.DTL

G6

[exarch]

Originally posted by Girl 6
Well, here's an article about the chocolate voted THE BEST from the Chocolate Challenge: :D

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/12/21/MNG8H3RVSH1.DTLBelgian chocolate again *sigh*

I feel as though I have shamed my fellow countrymen by not going to the challenge better prepared :(

[deBergerac]

Originally posted by exarch

I feel as though I have shamed my fellow countrymen by not going to the challenge better prepared :(

Let us all hope that the challenge will be better organised next year so that you can have your revenge.

I am quite sure that the judges did not test all of my chocolate since I found one chocolate where only five pieces was missing after the competition. And even if I must admit that Sweden is not the best country then it comes to dark chocolate we have some good milk chocolate. So more categories would be appreciated.
:)

[darling]

Originally posted by deBergerac
I am quite sure that the judges did not test all of my chocolate since I found one chocolate where only five pieces was missing after the competition. My chocolate too was hardly touched. And it was regulation milk instead of banned dark.

I would raise a stink and complain about the unfairedness of it all, but frankly it just meant I kept more chocolate for myself :)

[MoeFaux]

EXARCH:
My first instinct is to say damn you.
The night before last, I ran out of that delicious chocolate you gave me. The Sensantions Noir Orange Dark Chocolate. Yesterday was spent going through withdrawl. HOW WILL I LIVE WITHOUT THIS CHOCOLATE?!?!
I'm not a big chocolate person. But this stuff, dear sweet evil jesus, it was pure sex in my mouth. I grew addicted. I started hated anyone I shared it with at TAM. I was rationing it out.
I went to one of those world markets yesterday. I COULDN"T FIND IT! Google doesn't seem to be much help either. I don't think I can get this stuff in Vegas. What am I going to do? I'm going to turn into a quivering mass of goo!
I know this chocolate wasn't entered into the contest. But, dammit, I take back whatever vote I gave for number one (gasp!) (cue music and pinky to mouth and squinty eyes) and write in SENSATIONS NOIR ORANGE DARK CHOCOLATE as number one! I swear to you, this is the best chocolate I've ever had in my mouth. What else could work me up into such a frenzy?
Exarch! My love! Come back to the US! We'll run away together! Anything!!! JUST BRING MORE OF THAT CHOCOLATE!!!!!

[Girl 6]

Um, Moe... I think I can find that down the street from me... ;) I'll let you know!

G6

[LazarusLong]

Geez Lou Ease, Moe, who taught you to use Google? I got this on my first try:

Sex in your mouth? (http://chocolat.com/product.asp?3=235)

Of course, I hesitate to mention it, as I kinda like the thought of you reduced to quivering goo. Oops, did I say that or just think it?

-Laz

[exarch]

There's a reason they call it sensations of course :D

I must say I never really thought about how good it would taste to someone who's never tried it.

BTW, I have a bar of Sharffen Berger at home, and although it's good, I don't like it as much as Dagobah (which wasn't in the contest), both sent to me by a friend from San Fransisco.

So Moe, what can I get you to agree to in return for an aid package of Belgian chocolate? :D

[jj]

Thanks to the miracle of internet business, sometime next week we will have a Sharffen Berger vs. Callibaut taste-off here. The kids are using Valentine's Day as an excuse to get me to make chocolate fondue.

Yeah, they had to work hard to do that. Really they did. :)