I had an opportunity to judge barbecue at the 5th Annual Dana Point State BBQ Championship in Dana Point, CA. Part of the so-called "Southern California Riviera", Dana Point is a beautiful seaside town located between Laguna Beach to the north and San Clemente to the south. The focal point is Dana Point Harbor, home to 2500+ boats, numerous shops and restaurants, whale watching cruises, and a variety of ocean-related historical and educational attractions.
I had planned to judge this event last year, but instead had the privilege of cooking at Dana Point with Harry Soo of Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ, so returning to judge this year rounded out my Dana Point experience!
My wife and I drove down from San Jose to Dana Point on the Thursday before the event and played tourist on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, we were joined at the event by my parents, who were passing through the area on vacation, had never visited a BBQ competition, and wanted to check it out with us. So Saturday was kind of an Allingham family barbecue affair.
As usual, Arlie Bragg did a great job organizing the event, in conjunction with the folks from the City of Dana Point that provide the lovely Sea Terrace Community Park as the venue—a truly world-class location for such an event. Perks included a buffet dinner for teams on Friday night, a pancake breakfast for teams and judges on Saturday morning provided by the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars, embroidered ball caps for judges, and plenty of warm sunshine and cool sea breezes throughout the day.
There was a big public turn-out this year for the beer and barbecue tasting, plus music and vendors to enjoy, including two of my favorites: my buddy Mike Adams with his delicious Inhale BBQ Pit Smoked Seeds and the Great American Cookout outdoor cooking roadshow sponsored by KCBS.
Inhale BBQ Pit Smoked Seeds
KCBS Great American Cookout
Seventy-five teams competed for $30,000 in cash and prizes. Congratulations to Knock UR Sox Off BBQ for winning GC and Left Coast Q for winning RC!
Knock UR Sox Off BBQ accepting the GC trophy from Carlos Olvera, Mayor of Dana Point.
Congratulations also go out to Harry Soo & Donna Fong who competed as the combined team of "Butcher Yo Daddy" for winning 1st in Ribs, 6th in brisket, and 6th place overall!
Here are some more photos from the contest. Hope you enjoy them!
Judges Tent on the left, competitors on the right.
Team cooking sites.
View of the Pacific Ocean from the venue.
Judges Tent
Judges Tent
Continued...
I had planned to judge this event last year, but instead had the privilege of cooking at Dana Point with Harry Soo of Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ, so returning to judge this year rounded out my Dana Point experience!
My wife and I drove down from San Jose to Dana Point on the Thursday before the event and played tourist on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, we were joined at the event by my parents, who were passing through the area on vacation, had never visited a BBQ competition, and wanted to check it out with us. So Saturday was kind of an Allingham family barbecue affair.
As usual, Arlie Bragg did a great job organizing the event, in conjunction with the folks from the City of Dana Point that provide the lovely Sea Terrace Community Park as the venue—a truly world-class location for such an event. Perks included a buffet dinner for teams on Friday night, a pancake breakfast for teams and judges on Saturday morning provided by the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars, embroidered ball caps for judges, and plenty of warm sunshine and cool sea breezes throughout the day.
There was a big public turn-out this year for the beer and barbecue tasting, plus music and vendors to enjoy, including two of my favorites: my buddy Mike Adams with his delicious Inhale BBQ Pit Smoked Seeds and the Great American Cookout outdoor cooking roadshow sponsored by KCBS.
Inhale BBQ Pit Smoked Seeds
KCBS Great American Cookout
Seventy-five teams competed for $30,000 in cash and prizes. Congratulations to Knock UR Sox Off BBQ for winning GC and Left Coast Q for winning RC!
Knock UR Sox Off BBQ accepting the GC trophy from Carlos Olvera, Mayor of Dana Point.
Congratulations also go out to Harry Soo & Donna Fong who competed as the combined team of "Butcher Yo Daddy" for winning 1st in Ribs, 6th in brisket, and 6th place overall!
Here are some more photos from the contest. Hope you enjoy them!
Judges Tent on the left, competitors on the right.
Team cooking sites.
View of the Pacific Ocean from the venue.
Judges Tent
Judges Tent
Continued...
