PHOTO GALLERY ATTACHED. Saturday’s threatening clouds didn’t put a damper on the grills during Wildomar Rotary Club’s Ultimate BBQ Showdown II.
Hundreds of people showed up just off Kevin Road in Wildomar to sample the goods and watch as 57 barbeque teams from across the country competed for a chance at grilling fame and $12,000 in cash and prizes.
And to make sure there was no cheating, 60 Kansas City Barbeque Society judges were on hand to enforce the rules.
“Entries are judged through double-blind testing with presentations placed on a bed of greens,” explained Paula Willette, City of Wildomar community services director. “Prize-winning categories consist of ribs, brisket, chicken and pulled pork, with ancillary entries of beef ribs.”
To many grill masters in attendance, the event was serious business.
Wildomar resident Keith Henson, along with Joe Angelone of Menifee, and Andy Allen of Lake Elsinore, competed together Saturday as the Rooftop BBQ Competition Team and Catering.
The men proudly showed off their “iGrill” to anyone interested.
“The recycled 255-gallon propane tank is hooked up to two probes, which continuously send temps to our iPhones,” said Henson, the team’s grill builder. “The grill consists of a reverse flow smoker and the “Guru System” equipped with automatic fans for increased temperatures.”
In addition to high technology, secret recipes also lured visitors to the various grilling stations.
Meat Inc., a local barbeque team, was hoping to recapture the People’s Choice Award handed to the squad during the Tom's Farms Wild West BBQ Showdown held in the same location this past New Year’s Eve.
A seven-year seasoned competitor, the Meat Inc. team is comprised of local residents Aaron Black, Johnny Cakes, Chad Quarrel and Mike Hefler.
Black described one of the team’s scrumptious recipes: “Atomic Buffalo Turds.”
“We take a jalapeno and fill it with cream cheese, add salami and wrap it in bacon and grill it,” he said, noting that while the Atomic Turds might not look pretty, they do taste out of this world.
The event featured something for everyone, including 52 vendors, four live bands, a beer and wine garden, multiple skateboard ramps and a kid’s fun area.
Rotary member and Wildomar City Councilwoman Bridgette Moore attended Saturday and explained that, “proceeds from the event, after expenses, will go toward upcoming Rotary events.”
UPDATE:
Congratulations to Big Poppa Smokers of Coachella for taking the Grand Champion title and Swine Assassins from Iowa for taking the second-place spot!
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Janice Carabine
9:59 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
Such a great event and a lot of fun for everyone. We tasted some great ribs, pulled pork , tri tip and chicken. I have to say the bacon wrapped Jalapeno's were the BEST taste of the day .
Bridgette Moore
10:23 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
It was a great event and a great day! The very first event the Rotary will fund from today's proceeds is the Wildomar Bicycle Safety Event on Sat, April 30, 2011. The event is free to children of all ages. 10am-2pm in the Albertsons shopping center.
peggy cooper
11:09 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
Looks like it was a delicious day.
Kristi Garfield
11:18 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
Big fun and great food! It doesn't get any better than this. Fun was had by all as the grill masters were happy to discuss their creations. The prices made the event affordable for many. Thank you Wildomar Rotary for a great time!
Courtney Faith Vera
11:27 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
Awesome day. Awesome event. We loved it.
Ramona DeLaney
8:33 am on Sunday, March 20, 2011
Great article! Missed the BBQ cook off, but felt like I was there while reading this article. I REALLY want an Atomic Turd or two. Who won the BBQ showdown?
Janice Carabine
8:46 am on Sunday, March 20, 2011
Yes - those Atomic's were incredible !! Grand champion was Big Poppa Smokers
Courtney Faith Vera
9:00 am on Sunday, March 20, 2011
I was a little sad that we couldn't try some as they didn't have an orange sign. :-( Other than that it was absolutely wonderful. My children even had a blast.
Janice Carabine
9:16 am on Sunday, March 20, 2011
Courtney,
Oh ....you missed out...:( I am going to try and make those at home. Some booths gave away free samples . I bought my $20 in tickets and I felt it was worth every dime and to a great cause. The Rotary will do great things with the money raised from this event.
We were very impressed with everyone's openness about their secret recipes and tricks for great BBQ. It seemed like they had a lot of great things going on for the kids.
My one comment would be to have more napkins and wet wipes next year, many booths had none. We talked to the Vendors late in the day as they were packing up and found that they were happy with sales . It seemed like a win win for everyone.
Courtney Faith Vera
9:18 am on Sunday, March 20, 2011
Oh, we definitely bought our $20 worth of tickets. We spent at least $60 there. HEHE Almost all of them gave out samples but I came prepared with wet wipes because I have two children and since they were born I don't leave home without three packs of wipes in my pocketbook. HEHE It honestly was worth every penny for sure.
marysmith
1:49 pm on Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sounds like a great time was had by all , wish I could have been there
Lauren
9:47 pm on Sunday, March 20, 2011
Kellen Wagoner of canyon lake is part of the Rooftop bbq team!!!! just so you know! :)
Kristi Garfield
1:27 pm on Monday, March 21, 2011
Thank you Lauren. My apologies to Kellen Wagoner. Kudos to the Rooftop BBQ Team! They REALLY know how to grill!!!
Lauren
9:48 pm on Sunday, March 20, 2011
and also it was a great event!!!
Kristi Garfield
1:28 pm on Monday, March 21, 2011
My first time attending, but will not be the last! I look forward to upcoming grilling events... :)
Courtney Faith Vera
1:29 pm on Monday, March 21, 2011
http://rooftopbarbeque.wordpress.com/ I just found their site. WOOHOO I wonder if they would donate a tray to our upcoming baby shower in support of military expectant families on April 2nd. Never hurts to ask. I'm going to have to contact them. LOL
Pam Eriser
6:39 am on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I enjoyed reading about the success of this event. I am sorry I missed it. The reporting regarding the local events gives me the awareness that activities in the area have a great community interaction. It warms my heart. Thank you.