[Moo] Announcing the BH Cooks Guild Annual "Trial By Fire"

[Denise McMahon]

TRIAL BY FIRE  XIV
Saturday, August 28, A.S. XLV (2010 of the Common Era))

The Challenge:   To create a period dish under the conditions found at  
the PENNSIC WAR

The Categories:
Best Meat  (Includes fish and shellfish)
Best Vegetable
Best Grain  (Includes Bread)
Best Dessert
Grand Champion - to be awarded at the Judges’ discretion.
The Rules:
1)	The recipe must either be:
a) published between 650 and 1650 AD. (For the empirically inclined  
Apicius will be accepted.
b) have all ingredients and cooking methods documented in period.*
2)	Recipes must be brought to the competition. Please bring at least 3  
copies.
3)	Competitors must bring all ingredients to site and prepare the dish  
in situ.**
4)	Dishes must be prepared under conditions as found at PENNSIC.  No  
electric appliances.
         Acceptable examples: Grill, Smoker, Dutch Oven or Spit over  
an open fire (assuming site permits ground fires). If you have  
questions, please ask.
5)	You must bring all cookers, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, etc.  
necessary to prepare your dish.
          (NOTE:	Please mark all your utensils, dishes, etc., so that  
the orphans left behind can be reunited with their loved ones.)
6)	Dish must be sufficient to serve 8 to 10 healthy adults. (No  
penalty for making more)
7)	Each competitor may enter only one dish per category, but may enter  
as many categories as desired.
8)	All competitors must register on the day of the competition with  
the Registrar.
9)	The site will open at 10:00 a.m. for set up and registration.
10)	Preparation and cooking will begin at 12:00 noon.
11)	Dishes must be completed and ready to serve at 4:00 p.m.

The Judging:
Judges will be drawn from impartial Notables present. Judging will be  
blind and will use these criteria.
1)	Presence of and completeness of Documentation***
2)	Taste
3)	Texture
4)	Presentation
5)	Bonus points based on the judges’ experience in the field of period  
cooking. For example: if a dish has been religiously copied from a  
period source despite complexity or cost or if a dish displays notable  
creativity within a recipe, etc. Prizes will be awarded after the  
completion of the judging.

The Site this year is the home of Their Excellencies, Master Chirhart  
and Mistress Jeanne.

Please contact the Bright Hill's Cooks Guild if you have questions or  
need an ingredient verified.
*	“Food" by Waverly Root will be used as the final arbiter for  
periodicity. There will be a copy on site.
**	No advance preparation is permitted, UNLESS the recipe clearly  
states that the step requires more than a few hours. Documentation is  
required.
***  	Minimal documentation should include (1) the original recipe;  
(2) your redaction; and (3) your notes related to any changes made in  
the recipe and your reasons therefore, and any other pertinent  
information.



TRIAL BY FIRE  XIV
Sunday, August 28, A.S. XLV (2010 of the Common Era)


General Guidelines

The Bright Hills Cooks’ Guild sponsors this Challenge. The challenge  
is to create a period dish under the conditions found at the PENNSIC  
WAR. This is an opportunity for all those interested to come and cook  
and compete and socialize. It is also that rare opportunity to  
recognize that Cooking is a Spectator Sport!


Things to bring:
Your recipe (3 copies) and any additional documentation. (NOTE:  
Minimal documentation should include (a) the original recipe; (b) your  
redaction or translation; and (c) any notes related to changes you  
made in the recipe and why, information on the dish or ingredients,  
the cooking method, etc.)
All your ingredients.
All the pots, pans, utensils, etc., necessary to prepare your dish.  
This includes knives, cutting boards, serving dishes, etc. NOTE:  
please mark what you bring.
A table or other surface on which to prepare and cook your dish(es).
Chairs (if you wish to be seated).
Appropriate cooking accessories – your grill, Coleman stove, smoker,  
hot pads, towels, etc.
Your favorite liquid refreshment (the Guild will provide ice water).
Things to remember:
This competition is open to all.
Spectators are welcome.
Garb Please!
Any medications you need (bee sting kits, allergy and asthma supplies,  
etc.)
Our hosts are providing the site and outdoor facilities.
Children
We are in favor of them.
You are responsible for your own children. The Guild does not provide  
baby sitting services.
There will be no designated space available for children’s activities.
Because the competition begins early, you should plan to feed yourself  
lunch. Please bring what you and your family will need to survive  
until after the judging is complete.
Directions:
Take your best route to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695). Take the  
Northwest Expressway (I-795). Follow this road to the end. Turn North  
(left) onto Maryland Route 30 (watch for the signs to Hampstead).  
Hampstead is about 10 miles north. In Hampstead, go through 3 traffic  
lights. The house will be about ½ block past the third light, on the  
west (left) side of the road. (NOTE: If you get to the light at Route  
482, you have gone too far.)

The street address is 1022 South Main Street (which is Maryland Route  
30). The house is a large gray and white Victorian, with a brick wall  
in front and a front porch with white pillars. There is room to park  
in front of the house.

The telephone number is 410-239-8794.




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