NMRI Santa Cruz Roast

National Marshmallow Roasters Institute

A Virtual Think Tank MisterMallow@NMRInstitute.com

Photos from our Santa Cruz/Seabright Beach Roast - June 14, 2008

Jerry brought the roasting skewers and marshmallows for the competitors up and down Seabright beach in Santa Cruz, CA. For the perfect roast, at sanctioned NMRI events, we always recommend Smorstix and Campfire Marshmallows.

The perfectly roasted marshmallow. Roasting judge, and President of the NMRI, Jerry Grinstead displays what the judges are looking for. This is the color we like to see on all sides of the mallow. This winning mallow was the envy of all competitors up and down the beach.
Of course, Jerry was not in competition at this event. He was the lead judge. You can watch Jerry vie for International Mallow Champion Roaster on ESPN2 at the Master Roast event in Paris during the Order of the Mallow festival on the Champs Elysee this August.

Lynn R., our winner of the roasting competition, was a walk-on roaster from the nearby community of Aptos, CA.
Says Lynn, "I've always wanted to roast in competition, and when I heard you would be at Seabright Beach, I just had to come down and put my roasting skills to the test!"

Jerry also judged the S'mores competition. "It's a tough job, tasting all those s'mores, but I'm willing to sacrifice for the good of the sport!"
NOTE: S'mores competition is not yet a sanctioned NMRI event. It is just a wonderful fringe benefit and a great way to end the events on a sweet note.

The winner of the S'mores competition, from the Chico State NMRI Student Chapter, is Keya. B.
Says Keya, "If I could change my major to Marshmallow Roasting, I would certainly do so! I'll have to settle for Political Science and Law School instead."

Cyprian R. from our Reno/Sparks NV chapter demonstrates the proper technique for making s'mores. Notice the fixin's in the left hand, the Smorstix and mallow in the right, and the big smile as she anticipates the gooey, chocolaty, graham crackery delight to come!
NMRI S'more instructor Cyprian advises, "Always, ALWAYS, get your graham cracker and chocolate ready BEFORE you begin roasting the mallow! Too often we must deduct points for roasters walking around with hot mallows, looking for the S'mores fixin's. A sad site, indeed."

You may recognize these stars from two recent Number One TV shows, who just happened to see our NMRI banner on the beach. They stuck around for the roast and to sign autographs, as long as we observed their privacy.
Said Mr. X, "I could have used one of these Smorestix in episode 14 of season 3 to skewer a couple of the bad guys. Wouldn't that have been something to see?"

Said Ms. Y, "I can't believe it's still only $5 to join NMRI. My card is completely worn out, but I'm still a full-fledged member! And thanks to Jerry for laminating a new one for me! We'll be at the Santa Barabara Roast in July and we'll bring some more of our Hollywood friends!"

Note: NMRI has a policy never to reveal the identities of stars at our "Roast with the Stars" events. We only publish this photo with the full consent of the two actors and esteemed members of NMRI.

The NMRI Bocce Ball team made their west coast appearance at the Santa Cruz Roast on the Beach. Andrew, Steven, Eric and Zachary were unbeaten, as usual. Player-Coach Eric S. of San Francisco kept everybody's focus on the goal ... winning and roasting to perfection!
Said Steven, "A balanced set of bocce balls makes all the difference. We make our perfectly balanced bocce balls ourselves in our NMRI lab."

Lexie, Mira and Jordan were the finalists in the girls under 12 division. They had a great time practicing their roasting techniques that will be invaluable when they go on the NMRI
Pro Roasters' tour.

MisterMallow@NMRInstitute.com