On Saturday September 26th The La Bodega de Mendez BBQ Competition, the 5th annual, took place in Anasco Puerto Rico.
I really like the style and feel of this contest set near the west coast of the Island. It’s like being in a whole different Island when you leave San Juan in the rearview mirror and get out to Rincon and Anasco.
The contest takes place at the La Bodega warehouse and retail store and opens to the public at 5 in the afternoon. The neatly manicured lawn and fountain welcome the foodies and wine enthusiasts of the west coast to this very competitive BBQ.
The day started early, 8:30 A.M., when the Meat Inspectors arrive and start checking out the meats and inspecting every team and booth for safety equipment and good, clean working environments for prepping the BBQ. The local Fire Department was on hand to verify all fire extinguishers were fully charged and in date. All the teams had good safe equipment and passed inspections from The CBBQA and local authorities. They came ready to rumble.
Team Los BarbieCueros rolled in set up and started rocking and smoking, and had a pig on the spit. This was a team of several whole families and company employees. Team Los BarbieCueros supplied good music for everyone to enjoy during the set up and cooking day.
Teams were eager to share a wide verity of grilles snacks and appetizers. It was a hot BBQ kind of a day with cold beer and chilled assorted shots and other refreshments flowing as the teams started kicking it into a higher gear. Camaraderie was King! 14 teams from around the Island came to battle it out and this beautiful September day and BBQ Freaks 2008 defending Grand Champions were there to defend their title.
Here is your complete list of competitors in no particular order:
Popac I (Mayaguez), Popac II (Mayaguez), Ponce Fire Department (Popac-Ponce), Ficus Café, Byomet, La Hacienda BBQ Freaks, Blue Crabs, Los BarbieCueros (La Ceba Y Ganaderia..), The Gringorrican & Co., Rincon Beach Resort, BackYard BBQ, Escuela Hotelera de San Juan, Bertinitis, & Murphy Cuisine Concept.
La Bodega transforms the parking lot into a competition arena and outdoor nightclub.
The stage is the centerpiece and BBQ Teams surrounded the entire area nicely decorated and all brightly lit up for the evening. The center area is filled with small social pockets made up of wicker seating arrangements with tables, couches and chairs, candle light, and tropical flowers and bushes fill it in and give the appearance of being in someone’s backyard, a nice, spacious backyard.
Tasting stations for fine wine and cocktails were dotted around the area and the Mendez Company Chef Alexis provided grilled treats, a hamburger serving station, salad bar, and grilled churrasco for all attending. It was a beautiful evening under the stars with some great BBQ happening.
Supporters of the BBQ contest included Certified Angus Beef / Provimi / Login’s Meat Company, Perdue Poultry, Cattlemen’s BBQ Sauce Co, Schreiber Spices, and Hormel Meats.
Primo Grills was there and introducing a great new ceramic grill / smoker that is now becoming available in the Caribbean, and they were cooking some mouth watering delicious meats including Rack of Lamb, Pork Butts, Smoked Chickens, and Pizzas. Schreiber Spice provided some wicked good spices like Calgary Chicken & Calgary Steak Seasoning, Sweet & Smoky Rotisserie, Huckleberry Steak & Rib Rubs, and Smoked Paprika.
The Judging was provide by The Caribbean BBQ Association (CBBQA) and here are the results of the competition including the top 3 finishers in each category, The grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and the teams rankings from 1st place to the end.
Grand Champion - La Hacienda BBQ Freaks Reserve Grand Champion - Backyard BBQ
Hamburger Grilling Competition September 19, 2010 () (BBQ Contest) B D Productions is having a Hamburger Grilling Competition and we are helping spread the word. This new grilling competition is happening at he Marriott Hotel in Condado, by the outdoor pool area.
Phi ETA MUI October 1, 2010 (8:00 am - 11:59 pm) (General) date TBD
BOD Meeting October 7, 2010 (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm) (Meeting) Monthly BOD meeting at Smokey's
BOD Meeting November 4, 2010 (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm) (Meeting) Monthly BOD meeting at Smokey's
