The Caribbean BBQ Association (CBBQA) is hosting a two day BBQ competition unlike any other you have seen before in Puerto Rico. We are merging two great cultures and methods of barbequing into a couple of great contests which promises to produce some of the tastiest BBQ ever. BBQ Pit Masters & teams may elect to compete in either competition or both on Columbus Day weekend, Saturday & Sunday, October 11th & 12th, 2008 at the new Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, PR.
Saturday is the traditional Caribbean BBQ "Lechón Asado a la Varita" Competition Sunday is the traditional American style "Cattlemen’s BBQ Competition" featuring Slow Smoking & Grilling BBQ.
We will also host the first ever Children’s BBQ contest on Saturday for children for 10 to 15 years of age, and the Caribbean Chef’s Challenge. This exciting Chef’s Challenge will start with four teams of local Chef’s going head to head in two separate grilling battles followed on Sunday with the winners of the preliminary rounds battling it out for the top honors.
Throughout both days you will be able to take part in various cooking demonstrations and workshops performed by many of our talented local Chef’s and Pit Masters or visit the competitors cooking booths and learn the secrets of the best BBQ Pit Masters in the Caribbean while they prepare their very best Lechon Asado or traditional BBQ favorites like pork ribs, juicy steaks, seafood dishes and desserts all prepared on their grills and smokers. Teams will compete for cash and prizes and the opportunity to compete in one of the most prestigious BBQ contests in the United States representing Puerto Rico & the Caribbean Islands.
Part of the proceeds from this event will be donated to help support several local children’s charities.
Throughout both days there will be live musical entertainment, games and attractions for children including a free BBQ Judging class, and an opportunity for you to experience some great BBQ. The competition site is laid out along the shoreline of the lagoon at the new Convention Center, with beautiful fountains and dancing water features. If you are interested in entering a team for the children’s BBQ contest, the Lechon Asado or Smoking & Grilling Competitions, or competing in The Chef’s Challenge click here and download a copy of the rules and registration form. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the kids BBQ or one of the events that helps support one of our charities please write to
For information on the Cattlemen's BBQ Contest, please contact Michael Compton -
For information regarding the Lechon contest, please contact Josue Merced - (787) 226-6489 -
We Did it Again!
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon June 28th and Pit Masters W. Paul Gundry, affectionately referred to as W.P., & his side kick "BigMac" slathered on some great homemade BBQ sauce all over those pork spare ribs and we had a great feast.
This party really got started on Friday night June 27th and here is my story and I’m sticking to it.
It was about 4:35 pm Friday June 27th when the big Continental Airways jet came to a screaming halt on the tarmac at Luis Munoz Marin Airport. It was a fine, warm early summer afternoon and I was pleased to be back on the island after a week in Milwaukee. The beer and cheese was killer good in Milwaukee, but it can’t touch Puerto Rico baby, we have sand and sun every day.
1st Annual Caribbean BBQ Association Hamburger Challenge
This year's winning Burger was turned in by long time club member and first time winner Hector Rivera. Above Hector rejoices as he hears his name called by the CBBQA president ( Mike Compton, pictured wearing the yellow apron above)
The smell of charcoal, fresh air and determination was in the air as the first participants for the inaugural Caribbean BBQ Associations Hamburger Challenge arrived to set up their outdoor kitchens at 6 am this morning. Seven teams participated in The 2008 Caribbean BBQ Association’s Hamburger Challenge which was held in Plaza Las Americas (PLA) Parking lot as the culminating event for PLA’s homage to culinary delights known as the Plaza Food Fest 2008.
The first team was a Ruth Chris group named The Ground Rounds and was lead by Victor Merced . The second team to participate was Los Hijos de Carbon lead by Raymond Escudero. The third team , using their BBQ catering company name, Brasas Smoke & Grill lead by David Leon. The fourth team Jack Best Pals was lead by Recardo Camayd This team was something to be impressed by because they displayed over 5 Jack Daniel's BBQ Contest winning trophies at their booth. The fifth, and winning team, called the Charcoalholics was lead by Hector Rivera. Hector has been a member of the CBBQA since its establishment and has won his first competition in this contest. The sixth team was lead by Juan R. Nieves and they were called The Beefy Smokey Pal. This team joined the list of competitors a day before they competed and did a wonderful job for such short notice. The last team was Smokey’s lead by Emilio J. Torres-Requena. Emilio’s team almost did not make it to the competition, but they made it in time to cook their delicious burgers for the judges.
A well qualified and illustrious panel of judges made up of chefs, cooks, restaurant owners, and certified BBQ specialists were on hand to officiate the burger extravaganza. The honorable BBQ certified judges were: Chef Mercedes Oliveras, Vaughn S. Cordero, Marie G. Galarza, Claudio Reck, Amaury Diaz, and Javier Vazquez. Each judge was given the opportunity to try each burger and to deliberate on the appearance, taste, originality, and several other factors that make each burger extra tasty.
After a fun day of eating burgers, ribs, turkey, beans, banana flambé, and several other delicious creations provided by the BBQ club, David Bennett (CBBQA VP), Mike Compton (CBBQA Pres.), Sara (Dir. Of Events for PLA’s) and the top 3 teams were brought on the stage. The Charcoalholics were announced as the $1000 winner and Hector Torres was overcome with joy.
Ruth Chris team with Sarathe Director
of Events for Plaza Las Americas
(standing in the middle)
Brasas Smoke & Grill, Inc. team
with their alluring burger entry
Smokey’s team proudly holding their entry
Being A BBQ Ambassador
Don't ask "What can my BBQ Association do for me", ask "What can I do for my BBQ Association!"
Does that remind you of anyone you know? President Kennedy once made that bold statement to inspire America and Americans across the nation. I am saying it now because I have been inspired by one of our long standing members Mr. Claudio Reck.
Claudio has always been what I consider one of our strongest, most loyal BBQ Ambassadors. He is always there for any contest and first to volunteer to serve as a Judge, a helper, a Pit Master for any and all projects when we put the "All Call" out for help. Claudio has attended about every training camp and class that we have ever had and this time he really went the extra mile to serve his BBQ Association.
Claudio, his wife Janine and the kids, on behalf of The Caribbean BBQ Association and without being asked or prompted to do so, went to the San Juan Community Library on Saturday April 12th when the library was having a sale. They set up a booth, hung up the BBQ banner and fired up the BBQ grill. Claudio bought about 25 pounds of meats and grilled for the crowd and just promoted the BBQ Association all on his own and just for the heck of it. He wanted to raise awareness of our association to the public.
I commend you, Janine, and your kids for that supreme and unselfish effort, Claudio. That was so cool!
I thank you and so does the Board of Directors.
Now that is what I call a real BBQ Ambassador.
Mike Compton
We Want To Thank Our Generous Sponsors
Welcome to the Caribbean BBQ Association
The Caribbean Barbeque Association is the place to find everything you need to know about barbecue, grilling and smoking. We have all the latest info on contests, events, the latest news in the world of BBQ and much more. Whether you are looking for recipes, grills and smokers, sauces and rubs, or you want to learn how to cook barbecue we are here to help.
Our Mission - The mission of the Caribbean BBQ Association is to celebrate, preserve, and teach the art of slow smoking BBQ, to promote barbecue as a culinary technique, competitive sport, and culinary art form. Our goal is to have barbecue recognized as the true America's cuisine while having as much fun as possible with family and friends!
1st Annual Caribbean BBQ Contest October 11 (8:00 am) - October 12 (11:59 pm), 2008 (BBQ Contest) Lechon Asado a la Varita on Saturday and Slow Smoking BBQ Competition on Sunday
Don't ask "What can my BBQ Association do for me", ask "What can I do for my BBQ Association!"
