Downtown Redding was smokin’ Saturday with the aroma of barbecued chicken, ribs, tri tip and even poppers as 31 grillers and smokers competed during the first Pros ‘n’ Joes BBQ Grilldown. You read Adam Mankoski’s preview article, which described this first-year event. Judging by the turn-out, I’d expect to see this event return next year.
Hundreds of people paid $10 each for the chance to sample some of the north state’s best grilled foods.
A few dozen judges – including yours truly – judged the event, which, as I’m fond of saying, is a lot harder than it sounds.
Yes, the food was delicious (with the exception of an inedible cayenned item), but as with any food judging effort, it was a tough call. We judges had no clue whose food we were judging, which is the most fair way to do it. We judged on appearance, taste and tenderness.
While we judges spent the afternoon tasting meat grilled by both regular “Joes” and “Pros” – the crowds listened to wonderful music, sampled food, drank beer and soda and bought grilling supplies and rubs.
The weather was warm and beautiful, and the streets were packed with people who seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Eventually, though, the scores were tallied and the awards presented. Some winners received money, others received trophies, and yet others received a ribbon.
Joes – Tri Tip5th place: Ready Electric BBQ
4th place: Gridiron Grillers
3rd place: Chicken on a Stick
2nd place: Byrd’s BBQ
1st place: Kickin’
Pros Tri Tip
5th place: Barbecue Patriots
4th place: Bad S BBQ
3rd place: Grandma’s Favorite BBQ & Catering
2nd place: Dill’s Grill & Smokehouse
1st place: Smokin’ Bill’s BBQ
Joes – Chicken5th place: Ready Electric
4th place: BC Stoneage BBQ
3rd place: Smokey and the Po-Po
2nd place: Kickin’
1st place: Chicken on a Stick
Pros – Chicken
5th place: Dill’s Grill & Smokehouse
4th place: BJ’s Backwoods BBQ
3rd place: Barbecue Patriots
2nd place: Mr Applejacks
1st place: Bad S BBQ
Joes – Ribs5th place: Oilar Brothers BBQ
4th place: Smokin’ Joe’s
3rd place: UDS (Ugly Drum Smoker) Ninjas
2nd place: Beyond Limitations
1st place: Smokey and the Po-Po
Pros – Ribs5th place: Barbecue Patriots
4th place: Market St. Steakhouse
3rd place: C.R. Gibbs
2nd place: Bad S BBQ
1st place: Mr. Applejacks
Joes – Grand Champion: Chicken on a Stick Pros – Grand Champion: Bad S BBQ People’s Choice award: Dill’s Grill & Smokehouse
Photos by anewscafe.com’s Paul Heath and Adam Mankoski.
Independent online journalist Doni Greenberg founded what’s now known as anewscafe.com in 2007 with her son, Joe Domke of the Czech Republic. Prior to 2007 Greenberg was an award-winning newspaper opinion columnist, feature and food writer recognized by the Associated Press, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and E.W. Scripps. She lives in Redding, CA.
