By Jodi Marze, Lifestyles Editor
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE —
The Second Annual Backyard BBQ Challenge was held last weekend at Jack Read Park. The event was organized through coordinated efforts of Team Picayune and the City of Picayune.
Christy Goss chaired the event which had something for everyone regardless of age. Children had a section with inflatable jumps and other activities. Parents and grandparents were able to relax in the beautiful weather and enjoy the music while sampling food from the various competition teams.
Local master griller Link D’Antoni ran the competition which was judged by city and county officials, local business people and Congressman Stephen Palazzo. The duet of Chuck Lofton and Johnny Hozie provided music for the first half of the event and were followed by God Speed 3. Throughout the event doorprizes were given out and at the end of the event Eric Morris was drawn as the winner of the $500 VISA card.
Council member Wayne Gouget judged the competition and said of the event, “It was a great opportunity for the community to enjoy great food and friends. Hats off to the great cooks who contributed their time in making the event a success.”
Steve McDonald also judged the competition and said, “I was totally amazed at the variety and complexity of the different bar-b-que sauces. It was interesting to see that each team had a specialty in preparing the different types of meat. This area is blessed to have so many great cooks that love and display their cooking talents so very well.”
His wife, Ann McDonald, came straight to the cook off from winning the Grand Master title at 6th Annual Henleyfield Pearl River Ramble. She said, “The BBQ was delicious and the music was very entertaining. We enjoyed the different teams who were competing; it was a very fun day.”
Trophies for the day were given in the following categories:
In the Chicken category: First place— Rotary Grill Masters; Second place— Sho Nuff BBQ and Third place— Smoke 'N' Pigs.
In the Ribs category: First place— When Pigs Fly; Second place— Shadrac, Meshac, and a Barbeque and Third place— Smoke 'N' Pigs.
In the Pork category: First place— Sho Nuff BBQ; Second place— Rotary Grill Masters and Third place— When Pigs Fly.
In the Brisket category: First place— Smoke'N' Pigs; Second place— Sho Nuff BBQ and Third place— Smoking Knights.
In the People's choice category: First place— Sho Nuff BBQ; Second place— When Pigs Fly and Third place— Taste Buds.
The Grand Champion award went to Sho Nuff BBQ.
Goss said, “It was a great day seeing all of the teams competing against each other. All of the teams had delicious food. I am glad I wasn’t a judge. Our music groups were awesome. A big thanks goes out to everyone who helped with this community event. All groups were well represented. Of course, we couldn’t have done this without the support of our mayor, council members, as well as our police, fire and public works departments. I would also like to thank our sponsors, judges and BBQ teams. It takes a community to put together an event like this and that’s what we have in Picayune, a great community.”
