The first ever New York City Dumpling Festival was held in the off and on rain yesterday in Sara D. Roosevelt Park (Next to Whole Foods) from 12-5pm. The event featured dumplings from around the world, the 6th annual Chef One dumpling eating contest, Chinese plate spinning, and a raffle. All proceeds from the event benefited the Food Bank for New York City.
The dumpling inspired line up included gnocchi (Italy), tamale (Mexico), bao (China), pierogi (Poland), palitaw (Philippines), kuih koci (Malaysia) and idli (India).
I volunteered for the event through the Food Bank and boy did I take advantage of the opportunity. I helped create two massive balloon arches and handed out balloons to dozens of children, the shy and demanding included.
Indian Idli station
(Left) Malaysian kuih koci (Right) Mexican tamale
When the call came for dumpling counters for the dumpling eating competition, I was all over it knowing that it would get me on stage in front the sea of dumpling revelers. It was six rounds of glorious, controlled chaos and yes, there was regurgitation out of the mouth and nose.
View of the crowd watching the eating competition
Women's round. Just before the eating begins
“Gentleman” Joe Menchetti won the Men’s division by devouring 53 dumplings in 2 minutes. Stick thin, first time eater Olga Zaitseva shocked the crowd by ingesting a staggering 40 dumplings also in 2 minutes, clinching her victory in the Women’s division. Joe and Olga each won $1,000 cash prize.
My shining moment came towards closing time. Most of the booths had sold out of their food hours earlier. But there were dozens of boxes of pot stickers still needing to be cooked. Who do you think stepped up to the pan? Ha! Me of course.
Using a portable gas range, I cooked up packages of pork and chive dumplings to get the still massive line down to size at the end of the day. Can I say how thrilled I was? Can I also say how demanding New Yorkers are?
Some people were unhappy at the lack of vegetarian options, unhappy that we only had pork and chive, unhappy that they had to wait while their dumplings were cooked.
C’mon people, the event was shutting down after five hours and feeding probably over 500 people. Quit your bitching. Its not my fault you showed up at closing time. I’m the chef now. You’ll eat what I’m making you or you’ll go hungry.
To the mostly gracious festival goers at the end of the day, thanks for being understanding about our makeshift, last minute cooking station and thanks for eating my dumplings. It was my pleasure to cook for you.
Food Bank volunteer serving dumplings
Chinese Bao
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