An enthusiastic high school senior named Jonny G. wrote me recently to say that he was going to make my beloved Almond Cake (well not mine, Amanda Hesser’s) for a class trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Only one of his classmates, Tally, planned to make an almond cake of her own with the claim that hers would be better. I told him to take a picture and to write up the proceedings and that I’d post the results on the site. Here’s some happy high school Monday morning entertainment.
It all started about two weeks ago in Art History class. While the class discussed the details about our upcoming field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, someone in the class, aware of my limitless and awe inspiring talent in the kitchen, asked if I was planning on making anything for the train ride to New York. Upon hearing the question I flipped through my favorite recipes in my head and finally landed on Almond Cake. I use the same recipe as the one that “will save your soul”, and I can attest to that statement having reunited more than one teacher to a soul that they had lost somewhere over the years teaching kids like me. I told the class, Almond Cake it is. I received some intriguing looks, even some “mmm”‘s. It would be perfect, no?
Suddenly, all was not well. The following series of events caused tension to reach an Art History class all time high! Another peer of mine, let’s call her Tally, mentioned that she too makes an almond cake. How cute! And, that it is “really good”. Well, that’s nice. And, that “it’s probably better than yours.” All went silent. Then laughter ensued. Funny. As I found the comment amusing, her less than happy face gave me enough of a hint to realize she didn’t intend her comment to be taken as a joke. Long story short, I was challenged, to a no holds barred Almond Cake-Off. The rules: best Almond Cake wins.
The weeks until the field trip turned into days. Each Art History class period became a combat zone, a time for me to prove my superior knowledge of cooking, and a time for Tally to attempt to maintain at least some of her resolve:
Me: “So, would you like a tip, Tally? I shouldn’t do this, but I just don’t want to taste something too disappointing.”
Tally: “I hardly need “tips”, but since I haven’t had a good laugh in a while, let’s hear it.”
Me: “I guess some people laugh at brilliance…the tip is just a pinch of fleur de sel.”
Tally: “Fleur de sel? Huh??”
Me: “You’re in way over your head.”
And so “Judgment Day” arrived. I looked at my cake, and was near giddy. The execution was flawless. My class met at the train station, and after hearing Tally’s spiel about how my almond cake would be “amazing, in the same way a Salutatorian did amazingly in High School”, any nervousness I had, turned into anxiousness — anxiousness to embarrass.
The train came, we found our seats, and the unveiling began. Tally had hers pre-cut, a nice cheap touch I suppose, and the color did take on a somewhat attractive golden color. No worries still. First, we tasted each other’s. I took one bite of hers. Chewed.
“I taste a little acidity, subtle finish, weak flavor.”
She ate mine. “Bready, not cakey, overwhelming flavor.”
Oh, how the peons cannot respect a sophisticated flavor. But, nevertheless, there are six other members of my class, and they would be the true judges. Now fast forward to a startling scenario. One more judge is left, and I am in the lead 3-2. Up to this point, the naysayers of my cake seemed to dislike it on circumstantial points. “Too rich for the morning” But since when was time of day a factor in this competition? An opinion is an opinion though, and a vote is a vote. Another of the “Tally voters” I was able to accuse later of clear sexism, he voted for boobs. She has boobs, I don’t. I proposed that I get breast enhancement before I make something again for judging.
Anyway, back to the climax, the final voter, Julia, the same girl who had instigated the whole competition in the first place by innocently asking if I was going to make anything for the trip. She tasted both, deliberated, remained silent. And then she delivered her decision, as if reciting a monologue:
“I tasted both, and they are both exceptional. Tally, I enjoy the lightness of your cake. Jon, I love your flavor. I realize the power of my vote and if I were not required to, I would not vote at all. But, I’m sorry Jon, but the freshness of Tally’s cake, especially because of the strawberry on top, edges yours out just slightly, I vote, Tally.”
……….3-3, I tied because of what will now be known as “the bullshit strawberry”?! A tie is a tie, and I’ll take it, but is that how such an epic duel should end? With a cheap gimmick? I scoffed at Tally’s adorning each piece of cake with a quartered strawberry. I was disappointed in myself, and my classmates.
But now, what to do? Surly I was not happy with a tie, and neither was Tally actually, even though a mere strawberry saved her from culinary shame. We negotiated, and decided that a Round 2 is necessary. I gave her the choice of dish and eventually we agreed on the ultimate in desserts, a dish that only has one purpose, a dish in which there can be no dispute over time, temperature or any other meaningless factor with respect to taste.
Our next showdown will be called: Iron Chef: Chocolate Cake.
We love Jonny G.! I hope he becomes a semi-regular guest author on A.G., or maybe a spin-off blog? (Although to be a spin-off, I suppose he’d have to first be a semi-regular) – either way, thanks for sharing Jonny G. with the world, Adam!
Has anybody seen Johnny G and Adam R in the same room at the same time in the same time zone? I thought not…
Hmm… That Strawberry was a just a dirty trick. Oh well. Hope to see Jon around again sometime.
I want to go to this mythical high school of dueling chefs! :)
Rock on Jonny G.! I can’t wait to see Iron Chef Chocolate Cake battle!
Forget the cake. I’m still savoring the writing. A scribe is born!
That was great writing, Johnny G. You’ve got a real talent with the written word!!
Delightful post! Extremely entertaining and well written. Looking forward to: IC: Chocolate Cake!
And Adam, thanks for sharing!
And Adam, thanks for sharing!
Haha, this was an awesome post. Go, Jonny, go! Don’t be discouraged! And next time, do your cake tasting in the afternoon — everyone loves a good afternoon cake.
Johnny G is awesome! If I were in high school, I would maybe have a crush on him. Was that too much information? Love the post.
The Enrichment Center is required to remind you that you will be baked, and then there will be cake.
Don’t fall prey to this kid’s bull-shit. The little runt didn’t even win against a girl who clearly has the intellectual level of a rock (she didn’t even know what fleur de sel is).
Don’t fall prey to this kid’s bull-shit. The little runt didn’t even win against a girl who clearly has the intellectual level of a rock (she didn’t even know what fleur de sel is).
The only thing “bull-shit” about my story is the strawberry. And as for tying someone with the “intellectual level of a rock”, I will give credit where credit’s due, she made a decent cake. But, as you know, IC: Chocolate Cake, will result in nothing short of a glorious victory in my favor.
Thanks to all the other more complimentary and encouraging comments though!
Jonny G should DEFINITELY be a regular contributor to AG. You are awesome!
Awesome story Jonny G! I really enjoyed your style. If only there were more bake offs in my classes.
This was funny and well written! I too hope that he becomes a regular contributor.
You should be ashamed of yourself, Jonny G! You lost in a cooking contest to a future stay-at-home, soccer mom! How does that make you feel?
Besides, everyone knows Jews can’t cook.
WTF…….what’s biting jorge?
didn’t your mummy ever tell you “if you can’t say something nice about someone…say nothing”
adam thank you so much for posting jonny g’s article….
it was a pleasure to read; he is obviously a very talented young man, and with your mentoring and recognition, can only progress!!
congratulations…now i must make that recipe myself!!
Jonny, I thoroughly enjoyed your post and I’ll bet your cake was better than anything I ever made in high school. I give you guys credit just for HAVING the competition in the first place!
As for Rafael and Jorge, are you guys some high school brats with a grudge against Jonny or something? I can’t think of any reason a mature person would actually make rude comments about some kid’s post on a food blog.
Haha! “the bullshit strawberry”. Great post and high school pastime! I certainly wouldn’t have been doing the same at your age (albeit I only graduated 3 years ago). Good luck on your chocolate cake!!
Looks nice. What is the secret of her recipe? :)