Note: The 2010 scavenger hunt is over (a concluding post will come soon) and we got first place out of 121 teams! This is a series explaining the background and thinking of our missions of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt 2010!

Mission: Show us your best kitchen disaster

I had multiple ideas after asking Facebook point blank:

However, Chris and I determined that it was either unsafe (for a real photoshoot) or required too much photochopping (how do I set my hand on fire in photoshop again?)

Cynthia suggested the idea of cramming too much people in the kitchen—the idea of too many chefs in the kitchen.

This is the process that I took:

1. Study too many people in a photo booth and too many chefs in the kitchen photos.
2. Invite people over (via facebook).
3. Buy snacks.
4. Hope that inviting people for this event would surface this hunt to their consciousness.
5. Create the picture.

Although 5 people showed up, it was a fun experience with all of us ending up watching Hell’s Kitchen and Masterchef.

Along the way, we decided to make it Twinkie oriented to reflect our team’s name. We placed a Twinkie everywhere and put Toad in the picture. A Twinkie in the pan, in the blender, everywhere.

And then we finally had Jeff saute a Twinkie with everyone trying to add their own flavor to the Twinkie. Seems like Chris is the only one that got it in. Not sure what Cynthia is doing with the pineapple.

Note: The 2010 scavenger hunt is over (a concluding post will come soon) and we got first place out of 121 teams! This is a series explaining the background and thinking of our missions of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt 2010!

I don’t even remember what the original mission said. But it was first about a 80s band. Then a popular track…that somehow we figured out to be Caravan (thanks Joe). The mission said that it started with K and to go to the mobile lounge of deliciousness and do an epic scene.

When I realized that it was referring to Karavan, I knew what I had to do. I quickly emailed the friend who I planned to have lunch that Friday at the Moxise-sponsored Street Eats…because…I knew that Kara’s Cupcakes was visiting. I described my plight, apologizing that I was a little bit insane as part of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt…and that I would have to do something crazy while she watched. All for an “epic scene”.

I had met Cynthia a total of 4 times in my consciousness—at a reunion last year, once at Palo Alto Caltrain Station, another at a mutual friend’s BBQ, and finally at a happy hour. Barely what you would call “friends”…and here she was!

She emailed back shortly…with a script inspired by the first scenes in 2001: Space Odyssey.

EXT. STREET – DAY

FADE TO BLACK

I was so thrilled.

And when Friday, came around, I came with a backup plan. But we’re all set. I roped Chris into in it. I had gathered all my props—our whole collection of stuffed animals, random props…

It was warm…and I gulped down a gumbo from the Louisiana Truck. If had been any other Friday, I would have enjoyed it more, but it was up to me…to engulf the entire cupcake.

We spent several minutes behind the Karavan setting up with Chris cheering me on and Cynthia recording the entire thing on my handy Canon Powershot S90.

Because I read the rules, I decided that we could not use the 2001 soundtrack (although I balked later for other missions) and that we had to create our own. Both Chris and I “sang” the track. Fortunately, we decided that my attempt was not suitable for the general public (aka I was doing a public service for not sharing my horrible singing).

Then I spent the weekend trying to find out how I could get a cupcake flying in the air. This is why we had a stunt cupcake. Purchased for $1 two years when Mervyn’s was going out of business in Daly City.

I did engulf the entire cupcake. With paper. It was the strawberry flavor, FYI.

Note: The scavenger hunt is over (a concluding post will come soon) and we got second place out over 300 teams! This is a series explaining the background and thinking of our missions of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt!

Mission: Do a rap at the creme brulee cart.

I procrastinated on this one. It was easy enough to come up with the lyrics, but then when said out loud…it just sounded off in my own voice. I studied rap videos…could I do something equivalent? On consulting Chris, he said that my rhythm wasn’t working.

At first, I thought I could do something along the lines of Tai Mai Shu in ode to the spirit of our team name, Deep Fried Twinkie. A rap that my sister and I perfected in memorizing when we were teenagers. But it seemed insulting and there was no way I going to stoop down to insult a gender or any race.

Then I consulted my sister who provided a quick rap…easily rolling out over im.

I thought I was prepared and we headed to the creme brulee cart—located only two blocks from my apartment. I rehearsed all the way there, but on arrival, I spotted another team and…stalled for time. Everyone was watching me and I froze. I couldn’t perform. Chris noticed my anxiety and said, “Do you want me to do it first? To make you feel better?”

I nodded and recorded him doing something silly. Shouting random words. All around playing to the crowd around him, who laughed in delight. I wished I could do the same. Instead, I ended up with some lame lines.

It was dark and there wasn’t much we could do. The battery on the camera died, providing an excuse for ending the shoot early.

A few days later, I suddenly got the courage again and rewrote the lyrics. Today is the day! I thought as I studied the creme brulee cart twitter. He was going to be the bike-in movie night. It was our last chance. In the style of Lazy Sunday, we yelled into the camera. I freaked out again, but because Chris was with me…it worked better.

Two days later, I added soundtrack…dubbed the lines…recorded extra scenes.

Now I present the resulting video…the last item that we submitted to the scavenger hunt.

Note: The scavenger hunt is over (a concluding post will come soon) and we got second place out over 300 teams! This is a series explaining the background and thinking of our missions of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt!

The Mission: Create a postcard showcasing an American classic with a special ethnic spice. Look for a cart that would make Buddha happy.

We figured out quickly that it was alluding to a hot dog with kim chee—a Korean hot dog. The site said that it was not located in the mission, but somewhere else. Using Yelp, I figured out that it was in Golden Gate Park. So on a free day, we headed to the Golden Gate park following the comments we analyzed to locate the Happy Belly stand somewhere near the entrance of the De Young Museum. Chris dropped me off and I ran around the square in my heels and dress (I was dressed as Korean spice)…and holding a huge Mashimaro.

It was insane. I couldn’t find it and I was surrounded by gawking tourists wondering why I was wearing a slightly revealing purple dress with a huge Mashimaro in my hands. Did I look like a Korean? Maybe.

Fortunately though unlike walking around Tenderloin, I didn’t receive any unwelcome comments. The only comments were from a group biking that loved the “stuffed animal” and greedy stares from little kids at the large bunny in my hands.

Eventually, I found Chris who was still looking for parking. He was dressed in American classic with a baseball jersey and hat…and a baseball bat. We called the restaurant who started the Happy Belly stand and unfortunately the stand had closed for several months. What happened to this word play testing?

So we headed to the restaurant Namu instead…and try to see where the Korean hot dog was. Apparently Happy Belly was only in San Francisco on Thursdays at the Ferry Building. ugh no go. I wanted to complete this mission asap.

They didn’t serve the Korean hot dog for brunch (we came at 1 pm) and only served it late nights. The host told us, “But if you really want it, the chefs will make it for you.”

We nodded.

And about 30 minutes later, we had the Korean hot dog. We asked the host to take the hot dog…with us. As we took the picture, we got hoots from the chefs about Yankees. Red Sox was definitely in the house.

A few days later, I got time to photoshop. I searched around google for the appropriate images and fonts…and assembled the photo as below.

On the Korean hot dog? Yes, it was definitely amazing. But I say a Korean taco—a flavor of Asian and Mexican—beats Asian and American any day.

Note: The scavenger hunt is over (a concluding post will come soon) and we got second place out over 300 teams! This is a series explaining the background and thinking of our missions of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt!

The Mission: Take a creative photo with Ryan Farr of 4505 meats or one of his products

After doing the Chicken Dance video, I headed back to the Mission via the J taking the long route home. On the way, getting off at 18th and Church, I passed by Bi-Rite.

Chicharrones! Of course, I never had it before. But I knew from some teams’ initial photos with the 4505 Meats man that he sold chicharrones at Bi-Rite Market. I immediately stepped inside. In preparation for Obvious Tourist mission, I picked up French bread. Then I wandered throughout the small store looking for this thing…called chicharrones.

I had no idea what they looked like…dried meat? Were they like beef jerky? I had a confused look on my face until someone asked me if I needed help. I stuttered out the word chiiiii-ka-ROANS? The guy tapped another guy…who rolled his R’s as a native Spanish speaker…oh chikaaarrrrones?

The first guy pointed in some direction. I gave him a blank look, not sure what he was pointing at. Embarrassed, I didn’t want to say that I didn’t know what he was talking about and simply said, “Where?”

He finally had to lead me to the display and point to the bag. Oh, thanks! I said gratefully.

They were $2.99 even though you could get a huge bag of them for 99 cents at the Walgreens around the corner from my apartment.

The small bag sat in my apartment for a week as I contemplated what to do with them. Me sitting down with a plate of chicharrones and a plate with the plush hambone? Too basic and uninventive.

Then Chris was sent to the Thursday Ferry Building Farmer’s Market to meet Ryan Farr. He was wearing his favorite t-shirt. That night, I had a talk with Littlefoot and thus the resulting photo appeared.

The caption is: DINOSAURS ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD!

The day after the street food festival, I finally opened the bag that was now somewhat crushed. I took a bite not sure what to expect. It was like the rice crackers with Chinese peking duck…but it was spicey…flavorful. I drank water immediately. Chris loved it and I told him to eat the rest.

Note: The scavenger hunt is over (a concluding post will come soon) and we got second place out over 300 teams! This is a series explaining the background and thinking of our missions of the SF Street Food Scavenger Hunt!

The Mission: Show some love at the El Tonyanese Truck. Buy a burrito and show some romance!

The week leading up to a moment that we could get to the taco truck, we brainstormed several ideas:

Ultimately, we took a safe approach. Perhaps having a romantic dinner in front of the taco truck with candles, my plush rose and a nice silver serving plate. But right before leaving for the taco truck, I checked the website and it turned out another team Hungry Bears Love Salmon uploaded something similar.

I came with an idea that Chris would bring an extra friend. The huge Shadow that Chris had dragged all the way from Mountain View. In my own awkward way, I described the detail of how the photo would end up. He had a friend…and I would be unhappy about it. We did a quick rehearsal with our equipment setting it up with my plush rose inside a vase we got from Mike Lauren, a silver platter and a glass candle holder with candle that did not fit.

We took a bar stool, my mini stool and a folding chair stuffed it into the car…and drove over to Harrison. I knew there were three trucks to choose from since I regularly pass all three on way home while biking down Harrison. The first two—one at 20th and another at 18th—we deemed too quiet and with too much low light. We stopped at the one near Best Buy and Chris pulled into the Best Buy parking.

Then we grabbed a shopping cart and quickly loaded it with our equipment. At the taco truck, we ordered a burrito with carne asada. I paused for a moment, not quite sure how to explain exactly what we were doing. A guy started talking to us about burritos in LA…how it was much better down there…and that this truck was the best burrito in the Bay Area. As he told us about his Hummer, we set up…and asked him to take the photo. People inside the truck laughed…and other people around us gawked at the sight of us dressed up and having a “romantic dinner” in front of a taco truck.

So I made my face while Chris held Shadow close with a great grin. The most difficult part I found was trying to make sure the camera caught my face. We had the guy take 4 photos trying not to let the disappearing light affect our photo.

Shortly afterwards, we rushed back the equipment into the car. I hope my roommate didn’t notice that I took the bar stool out into the parking lot of Best Buy.

Our final caption was:
I have a bad feeling about this

In an effort to differentiate from the rest of the teams at the SF Street Food Festival, we brought all our favorite plushies. Most importantly, we brought Toad. Our mascot.

After bringing Toad along for more than a year on various journeys around the world, I had no qualms. He along with Boo, Domokun and Hambone would provide funny additions to our team.

As we navigated the festival with 30 minutes remainingt, Chris and I got separated. When I caught up with Chris, he asked for my bag…the red bag where I usually put Toad.

But Toad was not there!

Earlier I had secured Toad inside the bag…in a way so that he would not fall out.

Replacement Toads? Possible?

But Chris refused. I don’t care anymore about the hunt. And he hastily followed my footsteps—the path I took as we trailed out. As we ran into people we saw in the last 30 minutes, we asked if they had noticed anything in my bag. He asked the festivals organizers. But describing Toad was impossible. Nobody knew. We studied the ground. We were panicking.

And during all of this…how could Toad have fallen out? What kind of person would pick up Toad? Moreover, what kind of person would keep him?

Then we ran into a FattyBoomBlatty team member (the #1 team at that point…we were #2). She was making an announcement for the hunt on a blowhorn and Chris wanted to borrow it asking if he could make an announcement to find Toad.

“The little mushroom guy? Oh I know where he is! I thought it was weird that someone else brought Toad. He looked pretty shady. He was walking around with Toad under his jacket like he was hiding something. ” she replied.

Then she led us to a group of people sitting at the tables. They were dressed down, a bit shady…the kind that I would instantly label as potheads…i-don’t-care-about-what-people-think…grungey…dirty-looking…the kind that dress in camo. One guy was holding Toad in his hands, upside-down, flipping him over and over again as he talked with his friends. He had a nonchalant look on his face—not of glory, not of fondness…nothing at all.

Chris walked up to them and bluntly said, “Excuse me, I think the little doll is ours.”

His friends glanced at us wearily.

Appalled and relieved, I must have said something weakly, “How did you get Toad?” But inside I started wondering: Could I knock him down and wrestle Toad away from him? In that current elevated state, I was ready to do anything.

“I bought him at a store for full price,” the kidnapper responded with an disagreeable laugh.

He licked his lips as we stood there disgustedly.

“I can give him back to you—for a price.” Then he added, “I licked him all over.”

The guy surprisingly handed Toad over and said, “Do I get anything in return? ”

I studied Toad and…he seemed clean…but perhaps I’ll need to rub him with soap to get rid of the thief’s cooties.

We paused…searching our pockets. Why give him anything when it is clear he took Toad from us? I had no proof of course, but this was ridiculous. I thought back to the usual items of bribery like cigarettes or alcohol—I did have those bottles of beer that take up space in my fridge… I didn’t want to give money for something that was rightfully ours. But Chris finally produced a pack of gum we got earlier as a promotion from SF Foodie.

The guy accepted it and we held Toad tight for the rest of the festival. Comforting Toad as he was back rightfully with us.

It’s a sad sad sad thing. But despite living only a few blocks from the bacon hot dog cart for almost 3 years, I had never had a taste.

Before going to Thailand, the idea of buying street food for some reason never really appealed to me. Thoughts of oh it’s probably not good just swirled inside me.

About a year ago, as we were passing the cart, I asked how much it was. $3. I was appalled thinking that it should be less…like $1 or $2. But I didn’t return until that fateful evening a week ago.

Two weeks before, I purchased bacon on a whim. I had accidentally bought a huge bag of prunes for $4 at the farmer’s market. The lady waved me in…prunes…only 4 dollars! I am not one to ever refuse fruit and I took it greedily handing over 4 dollar bills. But then what to do…an idea popped in my mind…wrap it with bacon.

At the BBQ later that day, my bacon-wrapped prunes were a hit for my friend’s surprise birthday. We ended up wrapping everything in bacon. At some point, I realized how unhealthy…and moreover, how unorganic (the pig probably wasn’t treated well) it was. I was intrigued.

Then the mission arrived.

Take a photo behind the bacon hot dog cooking equipment.

Chris found his sausage apron. I got our toy George Foreman Grill and found a gummy hot dog to emulate our photos in 2008. When you press on the George Foreman, there’s a sound effect of sizzling!

And so we found the guy on Mission near Medjool’s. We asked to take a photo…and he obliged. Laughing as he did so from his van. He said something to another woman inside the van in Spanish as Chris made expressions. And there it was…our bacon hot dog photo!

I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a bacon wrapped hot dog today.

Vote for us!

Last Saturday, I woke up knowing that I had to do it. There is a little bit of OCD inside me (despite all the partially completed projects in my life) that said I have to finish this. I must do my best. I must do it even though I will fail.

The mission was this:
Do a funky chicken dance with your team at the Roli Roti truck at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market. Capture it on video.

With most of my team simply absent, I was suddenly anxious. I had sent out multiple emails to my team few days before requesting their presence. Unfortunately I interpreted the lack of response as a lack of interest. Ok, I guess most people really do have better things to do with the team. Seriously…then to race across the city to do a chicken dance

And most importantly, what is a chicken dance? I went through YouTube in my most studious nature…examing how it was done from watching a former mouseketeer to watching random videos of chicken dances

Truth to be told: I had never done a chicken dance. Apparently the weddings I have been to…either the bride and groom did not enforce dancing for the guests….or that the bride and groom did not subject the guests to such inane activity.

I finally convinced ta-ching to meet me at the Ferry Building after some rampant posting on twitter and facebook. Seems like social media doesn’t help me much for these kind of requests. Ta-ching refused to participate, but he willingly recorded me doing the dance.

As I did it…I was overcome with anxiety and went on autopilot. Apparently with a big smile on my face because I thought I was being silly. Is everyone staring??? I ran off the stage as soon as possible.

When reviewing and editing the video, it turned out that…nobody even noticed. Nobody stared. Nobody looked. After all, some people would be used to people not…doing normal things in this grand city called San Francisco.

The final chicken dance! Vote for us!

Then I thought about putting baking powder on my face.

Vote!