Matt Timms (born c. 1974, Boston, Massachusetts) is an American promoter of food events, in particular a series of casual "takedown" competitions in which local amateur chefs compete to cook a particular ingredient. Timms is credited as one of the first of a wave of promoters to launch public amateur food contests in New York City and throughout the United States in the early 2000s.

Food contests

Timms' first "Takedown" was a "Chili Takedown" in New York City in 2004. Tofu, Fondue, Cookie and Grits Takedowns followed, as well as a "Lamb Takedown", the "Brooklyn Beer Experiment", and the "Park Slope Pork Off". Hormel meats later sponsored a "Bacon Takedown". Timms says his events are a reaction to the more

midwestern The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of the United States. I ...

sensibilities of nationwide contests such as the Pillsbury Bake-Off, and the more structured, rules-oriented approach of the American Chili Society's sanctioned

chili cookoff A cook-off is a cooking competition where the contestants each prepare dishes for judging either by a select group of judges or by the general public. Cook-offs are very popular among competitors (such as restaurants) with very similar dishes, s ...

s. The Takedowns have become popular among what the New York Times describes as "obsessive home cooks" and "sustainability enthusiasts", due in part to Internet social connections. In addition to New York, takedowns have also been held in Boston, Massachusetts,

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

Saint Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota, Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississip ...

, and

San Francisco, California San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17th ...

. In the lamb event, sponsored by the

American Lamb Board American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

, contestants are each given fifteen pounds of lamb to cook how they see fit, with awards from expert judges, as well as a people's choice award by vote of those who have paid to attend the event. Matt Timms has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine's 40 Big Food Thinkers 40 and Under, and Chowhound.com's annual awards- The Chow 13

Other details

Timms is also an actor and filmmaker. He shot the film, ''Up With Me'', which was distributed by the Independent Film Channel.

References

External links

- official site {{DEFAULTSORT:Timms, Matt American filmmakers Living people Male actors from Boston Year of birth uncertain