Pala Casino BBQ

Pala, California

April 1 - 2, 2011

The Pala Casino competition BBQ was a great success.  We had a busy weekend as there was a car show for Ted in Upland all weekend, leaving Steve and Ardith to do the BBQ.  Ted and Ardith drove to Upland where they unhooked the trailer with Ted’s king midget.  Ardith then proceeded to the BBQ contest where Steve was already set up.  Steve played in the Pala poker tournament and won.  The weather on Friday was super hot but cooled off in the evening and it was pleasant on Saturday.  There was a huge crowd sampling the BBQ and checking out the crafts on sale.

Friday evening was a Kids Q in which they were making hamburgers.  Steve was one of the 3 judges.  The kids were very creative in their presentations.  One family that was competing for the first time was on a one year adventure around the United States with their 4 children.  They were home schooling them and it was the adventure of a lifetime for them all.  They had been in 47 states already, and saw the announcement for this BBQ contest and decided to join in.  The kids sold cupcakes and also participated in the kids Q.  They had to present their creation in front of 3 judges and tell what they had made.  The Dad said this evening at the Kids Q would be right up there with taking a night time walk to see the lava flow in Hawaii! 

There was also an anything butt that All Hogs entered.  You had to go to the gas station store and purchase 3 items, in which to make a savory dish.  We made “sweet and sour hot dogs over rice”.  We were trying to make sweet and sour sausage, but there was no sausage in the store.  The 3 ingredients were hot dogs, cashews, and cheese crackers.   We tied for 3rd place out of 10 teams.

As you can see in the picture with Steve and John Bracamonte from Brazen BBQ, the bet was paid.  They bet each other $1 to see who finished ahead of the other.  Congratulations to Brazen BBQ as they earned the Grand Champion, so All Hogs paid its debt!

The awards were held in a huge ballroom inside of the casino.  During the awards we placed 6th overall out of 38 teams.  All Hogs go to Heaven placed 4th in chicken, 9th in ribs, 2nd in pull pork, and 25th in brisket.  Our thanks to Henry Silvestre for organizing a fine BBQ competition and to Kelly and Kathleen McIntosh for being the rep’s.  Looking forward to next year already!