Barbecue contestants sizzle in first-ever contest

Archive for Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Jason Nigles, right, of Bonner Springs, takes ribs out of his smoker to add additional seasonings a few hours before turning in his entry. Nigles is part of the team "Pig in a Poke," which also includes members Matt Soloario, middle, and Brian Nilges.

By Nicole Kelley

August 27, 2008

With the help of some "family secrets," Mike and Joe Henley eased their way through their first barbecue competition over the weekend during the annual Tiblow Days festival.

On Saturday morning the father and son who make up the team Four Nuts and a Smoker were optimistic about their chances in the inaugural Tiblow Days "Smokin' on Oak" Barbecue Competition. The pair uses some old recipes that have been a hit in their own backyards for quite some time.

"We've been wanting to compete for a while," Joe said, who lives in Bonner Springs. "We figured this would be a good time."

Although their meat entries didn't place, both said they had fun at the event and enjoyed meeting the other cookers. The two learned some valuable lessons and both said they hope to return next year to put them to good use.

It was hard to miss the site of the barbecue contest Saturday morning, as the smell of smoked meat filled the air of downtown Bonner Springs as the morning's Tiblow Days events got underway.

Contestants in the 13 participating teams were upbeat as they put the final touches on their entries they had been cooking to perfection all night long. Despite battling some rain and lightning as they camped out in the parking lot west of the Community Center at Cedar and Third streets, the inaugural barbecue contest got off to a great start.

"In all honestly, it is wonderful," said Lana Hall, of Lenexa, who was helping to coordinate the event. "We plan to make this a wonderful event for years to come."

Cookers started Friday morning with registration and continued into the night. Family and friends filled the parking lot Friday night to celebrate, eat and party as the cookers carefully watched over their slabs of meat that were set in front of a panel of 18 judges Saturday afternoon.

Hall said that the contestants enjoyed the competition and in addition to the smell of cooked meat, a positive attitude filled the air.

"It's just a small, family-type of atmosphere," she said. "It's great for everyone to come out, have fun, eat and present good barbecue to the judges."

Members of the team Pig in a Poke are no strangers to barbecue competitions. The four-man squad has been competing since 2003. They understand that judging can be subjective, as team member Tim Preece put it, "we give them a little bit of everything."

When it comes to their ribs, Preece said the meat is cooked with spices that give it a sweet and spicy taste at the same time. After coating the slab of meat with a "special rub," the team wraps it in foil with brown sugar, honey and apple juice. That recipe earned the team second place in the rib category.

"We're doing it for fun," Preece said. "We needed something to do while we're drinking beer. It's a fun time."

The overall winners of the contest was the team Smokin' Things. They finished third in the chicken category, first in ribs, first in pork and second in brisket giving them the title as the contest's first-ever winners.

"We're stoked about it," said Dave Hooper of Bonner Springs. "We felt pretty good about all four items."

This was Hooper's second year competing in barbecue competitions, but with his teammate's 25 years of experience, the duo had a good idea what it would take to win. Hooper, along with his father-in-law, John Humphrey, didn't expect to walk away with the title but Hooper said they were sure are glad everything worked out.

Hooper said he thought that for its first year, the competition was great and was well organized. From having plenty of space to a helpful support staff, he said he thought that the competition was sure to attract event more cookers next year.

But those cookers shouldn't expect to come in thinking the competition is going to be easy. Hooper said he and his father-in-law are planning to return to defend their title.

2008 "Smokin' on Oak" Barbecue Contest results:

Chicken:

¢ Tenth place: Brothers and Sons

¢ Ninth place: Downstream Smokers

¢ Eighth place: Dusty Roads

¢ Seventh place: Get in My Belly Barbecue

¢ Sixth place: KC Smokin' Boys

¢ Fifth place: Pig Pen

¢ Fourth place: Chunkie Dunkers

¢ Third place: Smokin' Things

¢ Second place: Pig in a Poke

¢ First place: Pumpin' Smoke