Rib Cook-off Competition

not sure, Alex from full moon, ran it last year I know allot of people were pissed who competed and will not this year if it happens.

The nice thing about the chili cookoff is all the ingredients are pretty cheap, even on stx. Ribs are not the cheapest thing. Not saying it wouldn't be interesting to compete, but I wouldn't think people good afford to make big batches like the chili cookoff.

I was under the impression that the ribs were bought wholesale and provided to the competitors at cost. All told , I don't think the cost of a few racks of wholesale ribs cost anymore than the ingredients for a big pot of chili. Especially some of the fancy chili's that are made for the Chili Cook Off. And ... even if they do... its a fundraiser. Other fundraisers ask for big dollar sponsors... entry fees... etc.

Just like with Chili... lots of people pride themselves in their particular technique of making 'the best' ribs and don't mind spending a few bucks and a little time to strut their stuff in support of the cause...it was a FUNDRAISER and a good excuse for getting people out, hearing some music, having some fun... and raising a little money in the process. Even more people LOVE ribs and don't mind coming out and spending some dollars in support. The ribs sold for a dollar a rib. Why would people be angry who competed? Because they didn't win? There were only 7 or 8 competitors! It was the first one and they had some glitches but it was all in fun. Its just silly to me the way people get their britches all out of sorts over the stupidest things on this island. A fundraiser is ... for fun... in support of a cause you believe in... in this case gives the competitor some competition and bragging rights for very little investment... and winning is more a popularity or dollars raised thing than it is a taste thing. Everybody wins. Nobody should take it too seriously.

I hope they still do it. I hope the whiners stay home. I hope more individuals decide to try their hand, instead of it being only restaurants... and... I hope they raise some nice funds to help support their charitable cause.

If they do do it... I hope they will let me know when and where so I can come EAT some ribs and enjoy the fun.

Glad to hear it was a fundraiser. But totally disagree about the cost of chili vs ribs. But you are right I probably would eat the cost for bragging rights, like any good Texan when it comes to bbq.

As far as the whining....Never a good show of character but at some of the contest I have to wonder what they were thinking when they pick judges. I know I would want the judges to be chefs or cooks, not some joe smoe who knows someone. I have nooooo idea at all if this is what happed just what I have observed at other events.

This is in StX right?

The Rib Cook-Off will be put on by the Krewe de Croix on Saturday, July 18th at Coconuts. All ribs have to be cooked "on site". The judging will be done at 3 PM. Sides will be available for sale as well. Last year, with only 7 entries, 701 ribs were devoured! This year should be bigger and better than ever! Watch for details soon come! Also, the Krewe is putting on a Kallaloo/Gumbo cook-off at Sylvies on the North Shore Road on Monday, May 25th. Fun for the whole family!

Thank you stxnama! I'll be looking for the details. Please try to promote this with some non-restaurant folks. Some of the best rib makers are Backyard Boys/Gals who have perfected their rib skills over lots of years and would likely love to participate. Maybe they could have a 'professional' category and an 'amateur' category??? Having to cook them from scratch there worries me though. The people I know who do ribs (and want to participate this year) do quite a bit of pre prep and trimming prior to putting them on the grill and some are smoked for hours!

As for judge selection.... its true that sometimes the judges chosen for fundraisers seems odd... but, again when it is a fundraiser it is often also about taking care of your sponsors or raising more money. I know at Xmas spoken here, the food judges were $$$ sponsors of the competition. Often people are made judges at these events in recognition for their support of the cause, their contribution to advertising or promotions, their notoriety in the community, or their affiliation with the organization throwing the event, etc. It would be important to make sure judges were impartial and took the judging seriously... and I like the idea of blind entries... but... experts??? not on this island. I'm just as much a rib expert as any non-vegetarian reading this post and I'm sure all of our ideas of a good tasting rib vary...

Its not whether you win or lose, its how (or why) you play the game that really matters.

And yes... DUN.... this is on STX, come on over and cook up or eat up some ribs! Summer Fun!