On Saturday, May 2, I had the pleasure of visiting and judging the barbecue competition at the Elk Grove Western Festival & BBQ Championship in Elk Grove, CA just south of Sacramento.
This was the 56th annual festival, but only the second year for this BBQ contest organized by Ed Anhorn of Big Bull BBQ Events and Productions. It was held at Elk Grove Regional Park, a lakeside park with 2 islands, an aquatic center, many sports fields, bike & dog parks & playgrounds. The festival included a classic car show, an art show, an Old West gunfight show, two entertainment stages, food and craft booths, carnival rides, and a parade. There was a lot going on...if you couldn't find something fun to do at this event, you weren't trying very hard.
There were 32 professional teams and 10 backyard teams competing. The pros cooked the four KCBS meats while the backyarders cooked chicken and ribs. The judges were in a great mood as this was the first NorCal contest of 2015 and people were ready to taste some delicious 'que. But there were some tense moments before the judging...we had tables but no chairs! This came close to being the first BBQ contest in California to be judged standing up! But chairs were delivered at the last minute, to the relief of everyone.
Before the judging, I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Marshall, a TVWBB member who came out to see the event. Make sure to read his write-up about the event and see his photos. I also enjoyed meeting TVWBB member Martin Wilde who was judging for the first time at this event. Great guy!
After judging, I wandered around and said hello to several competitors, including my friends at Too Ashamed to Name, Ric's Righteous Ribs, Butcher's Daughter, and Slap Yo' Daddy. I also met a pair of guys who would turn out to win Grand Champion: Branden Slichter and Tigger McAllister of PorkChop & Bubba's BBQ out of Bakersfield, CA. Check 'em out...they do catering! And take a look at the photos of their WSM cart below...cool.
Here are photos I took at the event. Hope you enjoy them!
Lakeside venue.
Competition BBQ area.
WSMs were well represented in Elk Grove.
WSM cart fabricated by PorkChop & Bubba's BBQ team.
Holds two 22.5" WSMs and a 14.5" WSM on a folding platform.
A little toilet humor from the boys out of Bakersfield.
PorkChop & Bubba's got the last laugh...Grand Champion!
Photo by Ben Lobenstein
This was the 56th annual festival, but only the second year for this BBQ contest organized by Ed Anhorn of Big Bull BBQ Events and Productions. It was held at Elk Grove Regional Park, a lakeside park with 2 islands, an aquatic center, many sports fields, bike & dog parks & playgrounds. The festival included a classic car show, an art show, an Old West gunfight show, two entertainment stages, food and craft booths, carnival rides, and a parade. There was a lot going on...if you couldn't find something fun to do at this event, you weren't trying very hard.
There were 32 professional teams and 10 backyard teams competing. The pros cooked the four KCBS meats while the backyarders cooked chicken and ribs. The judges were in a great mood as this was the first NorCal contest of 2015 and people were ready to taste some delicious 'que. But there were some tense moments before the judging...we had tables but no chairs! This came close to being the first BBQ contest in California to be judged standing up! But chairs were delivered at the last minute, to the relief of everyone.
Before the judging, I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Marshall, a TVWBB member who came out to see the event. Make sure to read his write-up about the event and see his photos. I also enjoyed meeting TVWBB member Martin Wilde who was judging for the first time at this event. Great guy!
After judging, I wandered around and said hello to several competitors, including my friends at Too Ashamed to Name, Ric's Righteous Ribs, Butcher's Daughter, and Slap Yo' Daddy. I also met a pair of guys who would turn out to win Grand Champion: Branden Slichter and Tigger McAllister of PorkChop & Bubba's BBQ out of Bakersfield, CA. Check 'em out...they do catering! And take a look at the photos of their WSM cart below...cool.
Here are photos I took at the event. Hope you enjoy them!
Lakeside venue.
Competition BBQ area.
WSMs were well represented in Elk Grove.
WSM cart fabricated by PorkChop & Bubba's BBQ team.
Holds two 22.5" WSMs and a 14.5" WSM on a folding platform.
A little toilet humor from the boys out of Bakersfield.
PorkChop & Bubba's got the last laugh...Grand Champion!
Photo by Ben Lobenstein
