A group of barbecue cookers from Rosemark, TN, walked away with the grand champion prize in the first Crossville Wheels 'n Squeals competitive barbecue event Saturday.
The competition was a fully sanctioned Memphis Barbecue Network event, which has events in more than 12 states. Each contest is judged by trained and sanctioned judges who score competitors in five areas, appearance of site, presentation, taste, tenderness and overall impression. There is on-site judging and blind judging.
"The Memphis Barbecue Network is an all pork barbecue association, and we're the only one with on-site and blind judging," explained David Rhea, a representative of the organization.
The five teams at Wheels 'n Squeals were all new competitors in the MNB, joining Crossville for the inaugural event.
"We're excited to be in Crossville," Rhea said. "We love to help new contests get going. You've always got to have that first contest. And we're excited about the five new teams. They get to have their debut in the network and we hope they like it."
Two local teams were on hand to try out their barbecue recipes — The Jr. Grillers, a group of local 4-H members, and License 2 Grill with Darrin Stryker.
The Jr. Grillers arrived the night before, setting up their cookers and serving area. They worked through the night to prepare a whole hog, pork shoulder and ribs.
"It's unusual to have a youth team," Rhea said, noting many of the professional competitive teams often have their children as team members, but, "I don't know that I've ever seen this many kids doing the cooking."
The Jr. Grillers have been competing in Kansas City Barbecue Society events in Tennessee. John Teeples, who has worked with the group of 40 youngsters for the past year, said, "They're making a name for themselves in competitive barbecue circles."
The competition team includes eight of the older youth, while the remainder are younger kids learning the basics of outdoor meat cookery.
The competitive cooking team made their debut at the Cumberland County Fair in 2009 where they took first place. They also competed at events in Lawrenceburg, TN, Sevier Co. and Clarksville, TN. In Lawrenceburg, TN, the team took second place for its sauce and fourth in the Anything But category for its seafood gumbo entry.
"We're the only professional youth team," said Teeples. "We compete against the big guys and we're right up there with them in the Kansas City circuit."
The team has created three sauces, a red sauce, mustard sauce and vinegar sauce, that will be bottled and made available for sale at local stores in the near future.
This was Stryker's first competitive cooking event, and he and his family enjoyed cooking for the judges.
Joining the Crossville teams were the Smokin' Studs, Smoke On This and The Limp Briskets.
The Jr. Grillers took first place in the whole hog competition and took second in shoulder and ribs. Smoke On This took second in the shoulder competition. Smokin' Studs won for their ribs entry and took the grand champion title. Smokin' Studs will be invited to the MNB championship to be held next spring.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Daniel Teeples cuts portions of shoulder, ham, tenderloin and side bacon from the hog the Jr. Grillers team roasted overnight as Logan Adams waits to serve the judge. Heather Mullinix
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The Jr. Grillers whole hog entry. Heather Mullinix
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Daniel Teeples cuts double meat, single bone rib portions for the judges. Heather Mullinix
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Mike Nixon serves the Memphis Barbecue Network judge and celebrity judge Crossville City Manager Curtis Adams a portion of ribs. Heather Mullinix
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jr. gillers-ribs.jpg Heather Mullinix
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smoke on this-shoulder.jpg Heather Mullinix
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jr. grillers-judging.jpg Heather Mullinix
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Jackie Price with the Smoke On This team brushes on a sauce for his rib entry. Heather Mullinix
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The Smokin’ Studs team members Brian Snavely and Brad Hadley check on their prize-winning rib entry. Heather Mullinix
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stryker.jpg Heather Mullinix
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judge.jpg Heather Mullinix
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limp briskets2.jpg Heather Mullinix
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The Jr. Grillers took first in the whole hog category. Heather Mullinix
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Darrin Stryker, with the License 2 Grill, cooks up his ribs. Heather Mullinix
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smokin' studs-judging.jpg Heather Mullinix
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The Smokin’ Studs walked away with first place in the ribs competition and the Grand Champion title in the first Wheels ‘n Squeals event. From left are Brad Hadley, Kenny Snavely, Terrie Snavely, Bryan Snavely and Jennifer Hadley. The team is from Rosemark, TN, but Bryan Snavely noted they are also property owners at Lake Tansi Village where they hope to one day build a home and retire. Heather Mullinix
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Mike Nixon with the Limp Briskets team shows the judges his barbecue cooker. Heather Mullinix
Competition grillers go whole hog
- Lifestyles
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The River WILD!
The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River winds its way through the 125,000 acres of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area before flowing into the Cumberland River and Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. It’s a free-flowing river, with no dams to control release of the water, but the scenery and the magnificent rock formations make it a favorite of paddling enthusiasts who watch the weather to see if they can get out and explore areas that are hard to reach by foot.
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Farmer's Market opens for business June 2
The Cumberland County Farmer’s Market will officially open the growing season as it has every year since 1978. This year’s “opening” will be Saturday, June 2, at the traditional location on Livingston Rd., next to the fairgrounds. Selling will begin early (6:30 a.m. or so), although some vendors may set up a few hours later in order to provide the freshest vegetables picked just that morning. There is usually a good selection until well after noon.
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Around the Town: Children's letters to God
I received the cutest e-mail earlier this week and could not resist sharing it with Chronicle readers. The email contains a list of letters that children have written to God. I found them to be quite hilarious and feel sure you will as well. Please pardon the spelling as the notes were typed as the children wrote them:
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Cookbook sale benefits nutrition program
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) is currently selling cookbooks as a fundraiser to benefit the Nutrition Program for older adults and adults with disabilities.
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Crab Orchard DAR chapter hands out awards
Joe White, Cumberland County Korean War Veteran, was honored as the recipient of the prestigious Community Service Award by The Crab-Orchard Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution at its annual Awards Dinner on Thursday evening, April 20, at the Art Circle Public Library community room.
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Seniors plan day of fun, games
The 127 South Seniors met May 18 for bingo, dominos, coffee, sweets and conversation. Buckeye Home Health furnished the gifts and Arlene Simmons and Wendell Lester called the numbers.
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Marriage licenses
Published May 23, 2012.
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Memorial Day ceremony set
The Cumberland County Veterans Council will sponsor a Memorial Day Ceremony May 28 at the Cumberland County Veterans Memorial Park. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with the Cumberland County Band performing, flag/colors presentation, an incredible singer, guest speakers and a special key-note speaker.
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Plateau Gardening: Make Plateau Discovery Gardens your information destination
Most home gardeners enjoy learning about plants and are all ears when new yard and garden techniques are discussed. If this description fits you, plan to attend the upcoming 2012 Classes at the Gardens series hosted by the Cumberland County Master Gardeners at Plateau Discovery Gardens on the grounds of the University of Tennessee Plateau AgResearch and Education Center next to the main office (320 Experiment Station Rd.; telephone, 484-0034).
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Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Spring Festival celebrates inaugural event
After six weeks of rainstorms missing the town, Saturday morning dawned with a drizzly rain, needed, but not that day. Always optimistic, the volunteers went to work setting up the festival, and by the 10 a.m. starting time, there was no more rain. The PH Ensemble, led by Bob Savage, began the day with a variety of melodies.
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