Overcast morning skies gave way to sunshine and a pleasant breeze on Saturday morning, July 11 at the 5th Annual Wine Country Big Q barbecue competition in Rohnert Park, CA. Thirty-eight professional teams competed for over $9,000 in cash and prizes in the standard KCBS meat categories of chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket, and 19 teams competed in a mystery meat category of beef clod heart (similar to chuck eye roast). There were also People's Choice categories for Barbecue, Beans, BBQ Sauce, Tri-Tip, Bacon Dessert, and Cider Company, as well as a Tailgaters Challenge judged by local celebrity judges.
I was there to judge the professional team entries, and you couldn't ask for a better setup for the judges. Nice long tables with plenty of room for everyone, an air-conditioned room with good lighting, and indoor plumbing...good stuff! Everyone was in a great mood and ready to judge some amazing barbecue!
Visitors faced long lines and some disorganization at the gates getting into the venue, but once inside they were rewarded with barbecue samples, desserts, beer, wine and a wide selection of hard ciders from local vendors. A Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band called "Soul to Soul" rocked the crowd from the live music stage throughout the afternoon.
Congratulations to promoters Judy Groverman Walker and Drew Dominguez and their sponsors & donors for another successful event. It not only entertained the public and give all those barbecue teams and judges something to do, but it generated financial and food support for some good local causes, including Sonoma County Vet Connect, Redwood Gospel Mission and Sam Jones Hall that provide food and support for veterans and the hungry in Sonoma County. Well done!
Also, kudos to KCBS reps Kathleen McIntosh, Kelly McIntosh, Ian Schmidt and Julie Poe for running a smooth contest.
As someone who grew up in Sonoma County, I enjoy being able to participate in great events like this one in my hometown. If you've not visited, mark your calendar for July 9, 2016, come up for a long weekend, visit the barbecue contest, and enjoy everything that Sonoma County Wine Country has to offer. I'll see you there!
Here are some photos I took of the festivities...please enjoy.
Ready for the 5th Annual Wine Country Big Q in Rohnert Park, CA.
T-shirts featuring "Pig" from Pearls Before Swine comics are spread-out for sale.
CBJs gather for the Judges' Meeting at 9:30am.
KCBS judging plates and score cards are counted out and ready to go.
Judges Aaron Staines and Paul Brown loosen up with a game of foosball before the Judges' Meeting.
People line up for barbecue from Woodhouse Barbecue.
Chicken wings will be coming off the grill soon.
A people's choice sauce contest was a big part of Wine Country Big Q.
About 72 sauces were available for blind tasting and voting by the public.
Beer flowed freely from the Lagunitas Brewing Co. tent.
Continued...
I was there to judge the professional team entries, and you couldn't ask for a better setup for the judges. Nice long tables with plenty of room for everyone, an air-conditioned room with good lighting, and indoor plumbing...good stuff! Everyone was in a great mood and ready to judge some amazing barbecue!
Visitors faced long lines and some disorganization at the gates getting into the venue, but once inside they were rewarded with barbecue samples, desserts, beer, wine and a wide selection of hard ciders from local vendors. A Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band called "Soul to Soul" rocked the crowd from the live music stage throughout the afternoon.
Congratulations to promoters Judy Groverman Walker and Drew Dominguez and their sponsors & donors for another successful event. It not only entertained the public and give all those barbecue teams and judges something to do, but it generated financial and food support for some good local causes, including Sonoma County Vet Connect, Redwood Gospel Mission and Sam Jones Hall that provide food and support for veterans and the hungry in Sonoma County. Well done!
Also, kudos to KCBS reps Kathleen McIntosh, Kelly McIntosh, Ian Schmidt and Julie Poe for running a smooth contest.
As someone who grew up in Sonoma County, I enjoy being able to participate in great events like this one in my hometown. If you've not visited, mark your calendar for July 9, 2016, come up for a long weekend, visit the barbecue contest, and enjoy everything that Sonoma County Wine Country has to offer. I'll see you there!
Here are some photos I took of the festivities...please enjoy.
Ready for the 5th Annual Wine Country Big Q in Rohnert Park, CA.
T-shirts featuring "Pig" from Pearls Before Swine comics are spread-out for sale.
CBJs gather for the Judges' Meeting at 9:30am.
KCBS judging plates and score cards are counted out and ready to go.
Judges Aaron Staines and Paul Brown loosen up with a game of foosball before the Judges' Meeting.
People line up for barbecue from Woodhouse Barbecue.
Chicken wings will be coming off the grill soon.
A people's choice sauce contest was a big part of Wine Country Big Q.
About 72 sauces were available for blind tasting and voting by the public.
Beer flowed freely from the Lagunitas Brewing Co. tent.
Continued...
