Sausage Links – 6/11/24

Some interesting stories, writing, and general media from the food world worth sharing

“Cricket and biryani go together like baseball and hot dogs” (NPR) – This is a cute slice-of-life story from the world of cricket. I know next to nothing about this sport except people compare it to baseball and a lot of my Indian friends are into it. I also know that the USA (a country that barely knows the sport exists) just beat Pakistan (where it’s a big deal) in some important competition.

This piece elevates the dish of Biriyani as some uniting force for factions of South Asians who love the sport of cricket. Here we gloss over the history of conflict between Indian and Pakistan, but there is a loving rivalry over this food that has many differences, and plays into religious opinions on various meats. Worth the 4 minute listen

Joey Chestnut is the Pete Rose of Professional Eating (NYT) – The bright lights, the smell of hot dogs, the uncomfortable benches, the large sweaty men. Nothing beats America’s Pastime: Gorging yourself with processed meats. But alas there’s a scandal in the professional eating world.

Disgraced superstar Joey Chestnut was caught accepting money (through public sponsorship) from VEGAN meat company. Thankfully, Nathan, known best for his Famous Hot Dogs, stepped in and banned this villain to protect the sanctity of these eating cathedrals.

Michael Rafdi wins James Beard Outstanding Chef Award (Fine Dining Lovers) – I like to cook more than I like to eat out, and I mostly don’t care about the “dining scene”. That isn’t to say I can’t appreciate haute cuisine on occasion when it’s in reach, but I generally don’t really care about the restaurant portion of the James Beard awards.

However, this year there was one winner that stuck out to me, and in particular his image. During a genocidal campaign against his people enacted by the country in which he resides, Michael Rafidi defiantly wore his Keffiyah as he donned his “Outstanding Chef Award”.

In the context of the devastation in Gaza and an engineered famine, a fine dining award in the United States might seem like bullshit.  However, so many people in powerful places are working overtime to dehumanize Palestinians, this feels like a moment of triumph.