BBQ Throwdown-a big success!
The 3rd Annual BBQ Throwdown
story by Leigh Coleman
Young soccer players add some barbecue sauce to their meal.
Smoke filled the air during the 3rd Annual BBQ Throwdown in D’Iberville as teams of barbecue enthusiasts took to the grill for the chance at winning the bragging rights as grand champion.
Some cooks were up before the crack of dawn with fired-up smokers preparing for the competition.
Armed with secret rubs and sauces 30 cooking teams from Mississippi and Alabama lined the Bobby Eleuterius Recreational Field with huge, pull-behind grills, cook wagons, and giant smokers.
Divine Soul Food serves barbecue to eager festival-goers.
“We have plenty of competitors here who want to be top dog,” said Mike Uher, a certified barbecue judge.
For some, competing in barbecue events is a serious hobby and teams can spend up to $1,000 for the weekend. “They use different rubs, sauces, and marinating techniques and it depends on the cooks because what works this week might not work to win next week,” he said.
Judged on appearance, tenderness, and taste, adults submitted their best lip-smacking recipes for brisket and ribs. Children competed in the barbecue pork chop division.
“Forget your ideas about backyard cookouts,” said Margie Landou attending the Throwdown. ”These grillers know their stuff and just look at their decked out cooking aprons.”
The event is held every year as a fundraiser along with the Soccer Fun Day. Proceeds will go to benefit the Parks and Recreation Department and advisory board.
“Compared to our first year we have tripled the number of teams competing,” said Tracy Morgan of the Parks and Recreation Board. ”We continue to hold this event because it is for the community and that is the bottom line.”
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast also held a barbecue tasting tent to raise money for their club.
“I have a secret sauce for my ribs, chicken, and brisket,” said Terry Welch, a barbecue competitor. “My secret is I do not want people to know where I buy it.”
“My team arrived last night to start smoking our brisket,” said Jason Gibson of the Seymour Engineering barbecue team. “I entered the contest because we wanted to cook some barbecue and have a good time.”
WINNERS:
Grand Champion- Up in Smoke Barbecue
Ribs Division
Third Place- Saint Sational Barbecue
Second Place -Up in Smoke Barbecue
First Place -Paw Paws Backyard BBQ
Brisket Division
Third Place -Beau Rivage
Second Place -Bay to the Bayou
First Place -Up in Smoke
People’s Choice Award -Saint Sational Barbecue
Children’s Division: Barbecue Porkchops
Honorable Mention-Shelby Culpepper
Third Place -Jason Weil
Second Place -Coby Stewart
First Place -Ariana Wilson
