Matt Timms

Timms' first "Takedown" was a "Chili Takedown" in New York City in 2004. Tofu, Fondue, Cookie{{cite news|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/the-chili-and-cookie-takedowns-matt-timms-on-his-risk-taking-amateur-cooks-fine-dining-disappointments-and-his-dream-of-hosting-a-hare-krishna-cook-off/|publisher=Village Voice|title=The Chili and Cookie Takedown's Matt Timms on His Risk-Taking Amateur Cooks, Fine Dining Disappointments, and His Dream of Hosting a Hare Krishna Cook-Off|author=Jenny Miller|date=2009-12-16}} and Grits{{cite news|publisher=Brooklyn Paper| url=http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/25/24_ar_gritstakedown_2010_06_18_bk.html| date=2010-06-15|title= Grit and bear it at this all-grits festival|author=Alex Rush}} Takedowns followed, as well as a "Lamb Takedown",{{cite news|publisher=Boston.com|title=Do ewe love lamb?|author=Courtney Hollands|date=2010-02-22}} 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 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 cookoffs. 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, Saint Paul, Minnesota,{{cite news|publisher=Minneapolis Star Tribune|url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/97956379.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUqEiaDUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr|title=What's cooking: Bacon gladiators|date=2010-07-07}} and San Francisco, California.

In the lamb event, sponsored by the American Lamb Board, 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.{{cite news|publisher=Eater SF|url=http://sf.eater.com/archives/2010/07/06/east_coast_lamb_takedown_comes_to_san_francisco.php|title=NY Lamb Takedown Comes to SF|author=Tamara Palmer|date=2010-07-06}}{{cite news|publisher=Village Voice|title=Lamb Takedown|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/lamb-takedown-28522579/2|access-date=2010-08-01|archive-date=2012-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021015641/http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/lamb-takedown-28522579/2/|url-status=dead}}

Matt Timms has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine's 40 Big Food Thinkers 40 and Under,{{Cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/40-big-food-thinkers-under-40|title=40 Big Food Thinkers 40 and Under|access-date=2019-02-18|archive-date=2019-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219022934/https://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/40-big-food-thinkers-under-40|url-status=dead}} and Chowhound.com's annual awards- The Chow 13 {{Cite web|url=https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/55307/the-chow-13/|title=The CHOW 13|access-date=2019-02-18|archive-date=2019-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219020116/https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/55307/the-chow-13/|url-status=dead}}

Timms is also an actor and filmmaker.{{cite news|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/arts/08spare.html|date=2009-05-07|title=Tofu Takedown}} He shot the film, Up With Me, which was distributed by the Independent Film Channel.

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• [http://thetakedowns.com/] - official site

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Category:Filmmakers from New York (state)

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Boston

Category:Year of birth uncertain

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)