Just like all world class athletes, these 25 competitors are masters at their craft, which in this case is all about creating the most perfectly delicious barbecued brisket, chicken, beef, pork and ribs possible for an upcoming state championship taking place in Long Beach.
And no matter who takes the top prize, everyone wins because there will be plenty of mouth-watering food to go around at the Queen Mary’s Waterfront Cook-Off barbecue and chili competition.
Yeah, OK, but how legit is it?
Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this is the organization’s official California State Championship event, so you’ll know these pit masters will bring their A-game to the ship competing in chicken, pork shoulder, ribs and brisket categories as well as the coveted People’s Choice Award.
And the chili cooks aren’t messing around either since their event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and it’s the organization’s California State Championship competition where 30 chili slingers will go bowl to bowl in categories such as traditional red, homestyle, chili verde and veggie chili.
And while judges will be deciding the winners (except for the People’s Choice Award), people will be able to taste the pro barbecue and chili created by the competitors such as San Clemente-based Rad Fondo BBQ.
“We cook for what we feel is appropriate for the judging profile,” said Scott Sanchez, who along with longtime friend Mike Morrill are the pro master grillers behind Rad Fondo.
For a Southern California competition that means food that hits that balance between sweet, spicy and savory, and maybe a little more emphasis on the heat for local barbecue fans.
The pair don’t own a catering business, restaurant or food truck. So if you want to taste their grub you need to be lucky enough to be a friend or family member at one of their backyard barbecues, or be at the Queen Mary.
“At this particular event they asked the teams to all sell food, so we’ll be preparing a kind of surprise for this event that I don’t think anyone has ever served at this type of event,” he said.
If you go:
When: Noon-5 p.m. May 11
Where: Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
Tickets: $23 for general admission, $35 for general admission with five tasting tickets, $75 for VIP which includes one-hour early event admission at 11 a.m., ten tasting tickets and two drink tickets. Individual tasting tickets are sold separately and are $3 per tasting
Information: queenmary.com
