Mastermind: David Nowak, Director of F&B at Intercontinental Beichen

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz a Beijing personality on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist.

Contestant: David Nowak, Director of F&B, Intercontinental Beichen

Specialist Subject: American Fast Food

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Which Alice Walker novel was made into a film starring Whoopi Goldberg?
I have no idea who Alice Walker is. If I had to pick a Whoopi Goldberg film that I’ve watched, then probably the last one was The Nun. She’s been in Glee, The Nun, The Nun 2 ... The Color Purple. It’s probably The Color Purple. √

Which city’s film festival culminates in a Golden Bear Award?
[Mouths the word “bear ” several times] California. They’ve got a bear on the flag. No idea. X

What is the chemical symbol for gold?
The dollar sign. I’d use a dollar sign. X

How many lines are there in a limerick?
Three. Erm, 32. Eighteen? X

Where is Olympus Mons, the largest volcano known to man?
Real big ... Mars. √

SPECIALIST SUBJECT

In which state was Coca-Cola invented?
Michigan. Sorry, Michigan’s not a state. Yeah, it is. Michigan. X

What kind of dog used to be in Taco Bell ads?
St. Bernard. It ’s either that or a beagle. X

In which film did Morgan Spurlock document himself eating only McDonald’s for a month?
Super Size Me? Super Size You? Super Size Me. √

Where is the world’s largest McDonald’s?
Biggest? Square footage? Number of covers? [psssh] Las Vegas. X

Which fast-food chain invented the slider?
White House? White? Yeah, White Castle. √

FINAL SCORE: 4/10

Answers 1) The Color Purple 2) Berlin 3) Au 4) 5 5) Mars 6) Georgia 7) chihuahua 8) Super Size Me 9) London (Olympic Park) 10) White Castle

Verdict: A very respectable score puts the former pastry chef mid-table. If only we’d asked the Buffalo, New York native questions about Buffalo wings. Or about the calorie count of Cheetos, as David suggested afterwards.

Click here to see the November issue of the Beijinger in full.

Photo: Lova