By Mandy Lane, Special Events Manager

On March 29, over 550 hungry people gathered at Museum of Glass to sample the delectable sliders served up by some of Tacoma’s hottest restaurants at the 3rd Annual Slider Cook-Off. The contestants included Hotel Murano’s BITE, Dirty Oscar’s Annex (DOA), Lobster Shop South, Maxwell’s, Paesan, Social and X Group Catering. The restaurants outdid themselves this year with a varied and gourmet line up that delighted our guests.

Throughout the evening everyone watched John Miller’s fiery glassblowing demonstrations in the Hot Shop. The exciting Hot Shop show included lighting the floor on fire, dropping a bar stool from the balcony to break the glass slider off the pipe, a surprise visit from a gorilla and lots of cheering and gasps from the crowd. Be sure to check out these videos of some of action in the Hot Shop!

After much deliberation by the guests and judges, the winners of the Cook-Off were announced. BITE took home the People’s Choice Award with their Asian Five Spiced Pork Belly and Maxwell’s repeated their first year victory and took home The Judge’s Prize for their Porter Braised Beef Brisket, which featured locally made pickles. And Legendary Doughnuts provided a variety of bite sized doughnuts which guests sampled in the Hot Shop.

Judge’s Choice Winner, Maxwell’s Restaurant + Lounge

The evening ended with a spirited performance by Daryl and Diptones that packed the dance floor until late into the evening! Poodle skirts swirled and letterman’s jackets were shed as guests boogied down.