(03/21/09)

Competition Grilling: Wildwood Barbeque Wins Snowshoe Grilling Challenge

Wildwood pitmaster Lou Elrose holds the grand championship trophy, flanked by Barry Stockman and Robbie Richter.

The weather was brisk but sunny for the 16th annual Snowshoe Grilling Challenge today in Abington MA, and it was the team traveling the furthest distance—New York City's Wildwood Barbeque—who claimed grand championship honors. On a day when few teams drew multiple calls, Wildwood pitmaster Big Lou Elrose walked three times to the stage to claim trophies, taking third place in fish, third place in pork loin and second place in burger. The fourth trip to claim the grand championship trophy was almost a foregone conclusion.

Two of the judges were so impressed by Wildwood's burger entry that they sought out the team after the contest to offer compliments. Wildwood turned in sliders featuring their custom beef blend, providing a miniature version of the much-discussed burgers available at the restaurant.

The Snowshoe saw the competition reunion of Elrose and Robbie Richter, who two summers ago were deputy pitmaster and pitmaster, respectively, at New York City's Hill Country Barbecue. It was a similar reunion for Richter and Barry Stockman, his teammate on the Big Island Barbecue team that won more barbecue trophies (including first place for chicken at the American Royal) than any other from New York state. For the second year in a row the Snowshoe's grand champion included Richter as guest team member.

IQue took the reserve grand championship trophy to go with two category trophies picked up along the way. I Smell Smoke finished third. First place category winners included QHaven (fish), Transformer BBQ (pork tenderloin; finished fourth overall), Smokey O's (fatty) and the Porkaholics (burger; fifth overall).

It was a good day for new teams, with Smokey O's taking a first place trophy, Insane Swine BBQ taking two ribbons (fish, fatty) and Garden State Porkway (burger) and Shoe City Smokers (fish). For complete contest results, see www.nebs.org.

As usual, Michelle and Gary Taft organized a great event for a worthy cause: more than $500 was raised for the Abington Food Pantry.