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Hilo's 3rd Annual BBQ Cook-Off on 4th of July Weekend

1st Place Winner for Beef Brisket and Grand Champion for 2007 & 2008

 

This new tradition in Hilo of for barbecue cook offs started in 2006 to celebrate our nations independence as well as giving those out there that wanted to participate a reason to dust off the old grill and take our their secret barbecue recipes from the vault.  The event started on Friday, July 3 and ended on July 4 where both competitors and spectators alike waited anxiously for the results at the end of the the day.  This year's turn out was the biggest yet and many hungry spectators gathered around following their noses to Mo'oheau Park just to get a taste of the Big Island's best BBQ.  The savory aroma of cooked meat and spices drifted on the wind towards the soccer fields where the Cruise Paradise 2009 Car Show - cars gathered from around the islands and as far as the mainland to cruise from Hilo to Kona - onlookers, myself included, were suddenly hungry and craving barbecue.

 

The competition had 6 categories to enter in: Poke, Chili, Chicken, Pork, Pork Ribs, and Beef Brisket.

Each category was graded by their: Appearance, Tenderness/Texture, and Taste - Taste being the heaviest factor on judging.

 

A few well known business like Cafe Pesto's (mentioned in my last article), Big Kahuna and groups going under the name: Michael's Hawaiian Food; Mo`ana; Ka Hale U`ahi; Big Jake's; Eden's Roc Horseshoe Barbecuer's; and Still Smokin'.

 

This year's finalists are as followed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more 411, visit Hilo BBQ Bay Cook-Off Official Site: