During last night’s virtual Democratic National Convention, Rhode Island featured a local party leader standing on the beach alongside a beefy restaurateur holding a piping hot plate of sauteed squid and proclaiming Rhode Island the “calamari comeback state.”
The 30-second clip played during the convention’s roll call as Rhode Island’s Democrats formally nominated Joe Biden for president.
The “calamari comeback state” comment had Twitter all abuzz, but the real star of the moment was the masked chef standing silently off to the side and looking oh-so-commanding with that heaping tray of battered squid.
As it turns out, the chef’s name is John Bordieri and he works as the executive chef at Iggy’s Boardwalk, a seafood joint on Narragansett Bay. Why do we have a feeling reservations there are about to skyrocket?
How about we take this to the next level?
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Here’s what people are saying…
Rhode Island, can I hire your ninja chef for my wedding? Cool thanks. #DemocraticNationalConvention #DNC2020
— AlejandroAlonsoGalva (@AleVidaLIVE) August 19, 2020
My favorite was the Rhode Island chef holding a basket brimming with the fried fish bounty of the sea.
— Erik M. Gregersen (@erikgregersen) August 19, 2020
Rhode Island shrimp bear was so fucking hot 😍 pic.twitter.com/Fsg0EH9zVd
— FrostyOtter (@FrostyOtterXXX) August 19, 2020
OMG Rhode Island calamari just won the whole election
— alexwagner (@alexwagner) August 19, 2020
under discussed tonight: Rhode Island’s calamari flex
— Laura O’Neill (@loneillNH) August 19, 2020
Take this image back in time 12 months and try to explain what’s happening. pic.twitter.com/A1PjbH2Nx1
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) August 19, 2020
Rhode Island’s beefy chef with calamari for the win! 😝
— Becca Clara Love (@BeccaClaraLove) August 19, 2020
omg Rhode Island has a chef posing with calamari. Never change.
— Jackson Bird (@jackisnotabird) August 19, 2020
Is Rhode Island actually the “calamari comeback” state?
Who knew?#DNC2020 #DemConvention
— Michelangelo Signorile, subscribe to my newsletter (@MSignorile) August 19, 2020
2) RHODE ISLAND
That dude could fuck me on that pile of calamari. pic.twitter.com/voCJWDFHg2
— tim paul (@porpoiseswallow) August 19, 2020
He looks like the most badass chef in the Calamari game.
— MOSTLYWEATHER (@mostlyweather) August 19, 2020
do you think the Rhode Island calamari guy knew he was becoming a meme at that moment? pic.twitter.com/3Qc1q9EGcK
— anonymous cartoon beard man (@Wallzers) August 19, 2020
I want the chef holding the calamari from Rhode Island to run for office
— Kelly Anne (@kellyFreckles) August 19, 2020
don’t pretend like you didn’t wake up contemplating a Rhode Island-style calamari breakfast pic.twitter.com/et2i8uVDm4
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) August 19, 2020
Very strong calamari flex while nominating presidential candidate. These are strange but sometimes weirdly wonderful and human times
— Sarah Smarsh (@Sarah_Smarsh) August 19, 2020
On my way to get some Rhode Island calamari. 😋 #DemocraticConvention pic.twitter.com/hzdExp1Y28
— Tiffany Griffith (@Tiff_Griff) August 19, 2020
Loved it. We can never go back to the arena roll call. It was so inspiring to see all the different places and peoples. I even liked the calamari chef.
— Julie McCoy (@jmccoy11144) August 19, 2020
Related: Parents of Matthew Shepard helped officially nominate Joe Biden
Kangol2
“Everyone”? Uh, there were quite a few cuties that rolled across the screen before, during and after the state roll call. Then if you’re into masked, beefy chefs, I guess he was the one, and why not? Each to his, her or their own!
Cato
The roll call really was the most fun part of last night’s convention. I was texting with my 80 year old mom about it and she was delighting in the diversity of the country and seeing so many different people coming together. It was pretty inspiring.
j41005
LOL
First off, NOT EVERYONE is talking about this guy.
Secondly, it’s a fat dude holding a plate of food.
Big “yawning” deal.
Tyrone Johnston
Thank you for proving that there are people here with common sense!
Essie
I like calamari and I like Rhode Island but that guy looks more fat than “beefy” so I’m not understanding all the interest in him. But, whatever, people on twitter are so funny.
rickh710
“Whatever.”
amanwithanedge
pillsbury doe boy more like it. but ya didn’t hear from me!
Henreid
“Beefcake” is a word that has been in use for decades to describe a MUSCULAR guy, not some schlub with a huge gut. But I suppose we should be well aware by now that Queerty will write practically any headline to serve as clickbait.
AxelDC
Quahogs are the RI state appetizer, not calamari.
frankcar1965
Eww he’s fatter than me, no thanks
Itsonlythetruth
Meow, the bitchy kitties are scratching over this post. This guy is far from fat.
Heywood Jablowme
Really, you think “this guy is far from fat” – where do you live, Mississippi?
Tyrone Johnston
Far from fat? If that chef died today of COVID-19, you’re the type of person who would declare that he was “in perfect health.”
Gadfeal
This is the second article today that indicates nothing new apart from President Tweety and the talking heads of the Democratic eConvention.
nunya
Beefcake? Seriously? More like Flabcake.
Heywood Jablowme
1) Iggy’s doesn’t take reservations.
2) Now I’ve seen everything. All the whiners who write Queerty comments, complaining that they can’t get laid because they’re over 40, or they’re fat, or whatever… they have to stop complaining. If a lot of gay men are drooling over THAT big fat guy, anybody can get laid!