PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The City of Presque Isle in cooperation with the Northern Maine Fair held its first Star City Backyard BBQ Cook-Off at the fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28. Seven teams competed in the categories of ribs, chicken, brisket and pork. Teams began cooking at around 7:00 p.m. Friday following inspection of all meats for proper storage temperatures.
The event basically followed the criteria as set forth by the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) even though this was not a KCBS sanctioned event. Six judges reviewed entries from each category from all seven teams for appearance, taste and tenderness. The judging was overseen by a KCBS certified judge, Denis Pelletier of Edmundston, New Brunswick, who served as Table Captain. It was a double-blind judging as the teams were assigned numbers by the scoring team before the food entries were presented for judging and the judges used only numbers and not names on their score cards. Judging began at 12 noon on Saturday with the last food presentations submitted at 2:30 p.m.
Hundreds of happy “fans” also participated in choosing the “Fan Favorite” by purchasing taste tickets in advance of the event which also provided entry into the Fair. Fans were treated to a wide variety of barbecue in addition to the four judged categories including smoked macaroni and cheese, smoked sausage, barbecue baked beans and more.
First place winners awarded $400, second place winners were awarded $300, and third place winners were awarded $100. Fan favorite winner received $500 award. Winners for each event were:
CHICKEN: 1st – D & A, Daniel Veazie, Ashland, 2nd – Aroostook County Killer Hogs, Chris Perkins, Fort Fairfield, 3rd – Weasel’s Wicked Good BBQ, Todd Michaud, Presque Isle
RIBS: 1st -Aroostook County Killer Hogs, Chris Perkins, Fort Fairfield, 2nd – B-RAD’s BBQ, Brad Turner, Washburn, 3rd – D & A, Daniel Veazie, Ashland
PORK: 1st – Aroostook County Killer Hogs, Chris Perkins, Fort Fairfield, 2nd – D & A, Daniel Veazie, Ashland, 3rd – Weasel’s Wicked Good BBQ, Todd Michaud, Presque Isle
BRISKET: 1st – Bingo’s BBQ, Derek Mingo, Lamoine, 2nd – B-RAD’s BBQ, Brad Turner, Washburn, 3rd – Weasel’s Wicked Good BBQ, Todd Michaud, Presque Isle
FAN FAVORITE: Aroostook County Killer Hogs, Chris Perkins, Fort Fairifled
Event sponsors included Impact Auto Body, Haines Manufacturing, Carroll’s Auto Sales, County Ag & Turf, Northern Auto Body, Willette’s Automotive, and Cushman’s. Proceeds from the event will go towards the new playground.
