Greasy fingers, a kissing pig, and sauce-smeared smiles were the order of the day when barbecue pros and amateurs fired their grills at the Budweiser Eighth Annual Smoke on the Water BBQ Championship in Winter Haven, Florida. Savory smoke wafted over the shore of freshwater Lake Cannon February 4 as 79 cooking teams and individuals competed for bragging rights, trophies, and $11,000 in cash prizes.
Grilling aficionados vied for honors in categories of Chicken, Ribs, Pulled Pork, and Brisket in Professional and Backyard divisions. Baked beans, grilled corn, funnel cakes and other culinary wares were downed by an estimated 23,000 attendees. Sanctioned by the Florida Barbecue Association, the event is a qualifier for the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational held each October in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
Barbecue Competition is Excellent Family Time
"Each of us thinks we're the best cook," Joey Howard, a grilling competitor, said of his 4-person team. "Barbecuing is a passion for all of us. We didn't win any trophies, but we had an excellent family time."
Another competitor, George Foley, was raised in North Carolina but travels to events from his home in Lithia, Florida. He echoed Smoke on the Water's family focus while children crowded a well-equipped play area.
"I cooked hogs for 20 years before entering competitive barbecuing," he said, "and Smoke on the Water is my favorite contest. We get the family out and sell our Carolina Sunshine sauce that we manufacture."
"I'll absolutely participate again," said Jim Rouadi, Pitmaster of Corky's Turn 3 BBQ in Orlando of his first appearance at Smoke on the Water. Corky's, he said, is named in honor of Corky Corzine, a friend who passed away two years ago.
"Corky was seven feet two inches tall and the nicest guy you could ever meet," said team member Bryon Cutlip.
Robert Pace, an entrant from England, was Smoke on the Water's first known international competitor in its 8-year history.
"It's a fun atmosphere," he said. "The hospitality here is phenomenal."
Fundraiser for Citrus Center Boys and Girls Clubs
Smoke on the Water is an annual fundraising event for the Citrus Center Boys and Girls Clubs with facilities in the Central Florida communities of Winter Haven, Lake Wales, and Haines City. The clubs provide approximately 700 youngsters daily with a safe after-school environment for help with homework, sports activities, and teaching them respect for property and rights of others. The organization's website declares that staff members and volunteers inspire and enable youths to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
"These are tough economic times," said Frank Csomos, event chairman and member of the clubs' Board of Directors. "Without the funds raised by Smoke on the Water, two clubs probably would close."
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Csomos and his organizing committee, supported by barbecue enthusiasts and the community, that's unlikely to happen.
The kissing pig? Anyone who paid a buck and fed him a treat could kiss his snout.
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