Dana Point BBQ Championship

Things are heating up!

On September 28th & 29th, world class barbeque chefs from all over will descend on Dana Point to compete in the 2nd Annual Dana Point BBQ Championship. At last year’s event, 50 teams vied for the titles of Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion and this year’s prize money has grown to $15,000. All cash awards will be generated from team entries and represents a 100% payout of all fees received.

The 2012 competition will take place at the beautiful Sea Terrace Park, located at the corner of Niguel Road and Pacific Coast Highway. The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving America’s Cuisine. Its mission is to celebrate, teach and promote barbeque as a culinary technique, sport and art form.

KCBS is the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with over 15,000 members worldwide. The KCBS places their stamp of approval on over 400 barbeque contests throughout the country. Visit www.KCBS.us for more information about their organization and upcoming events.

Kevin Evans, Director of Community Services & Parks for the City of Dana Point, is eager to see the expansion of this year’s event. Evans said, “We are looking at breaking the record for the most teams ever competing in a California barbeque event. The record is 68 and we are hoping to get 70 entrants in our 2nd annual event.” Last year’s competition drew barbeque contestants from Arizona, Nevada and all of Southern & Northern California. “The City was extremely pleased with the number of local residents in Dana Point and the surrounding communities who participated in the competition. We’re hopeful that more amateur barbeque enthusiasts will join in the 2nd annual event
this September,” Evans added.

On Friday, the 28th, teams will arrive and begin preparing delectable servings of chicken, ribs, brisket, pork and desserts for judging. “Friday afternoon is a meet ‘n greet where the general public can come and speak with the contestants and learn some of their secrets in preparing the best barbeque,” shared Evans. The contest and judging will take place on Saturday, the 29th.

A blind judging process is used by KCBS certified judges to ensure fairness. KCBS judges are trained in a manner that allows them to appropriately assess all types of barbeque, from St. Louis and Texas styles to Memphis and Carolina styles. Judges will sample and assign a point total to each entry based on appearance, taste and texture. Each teams’ cumulative points not only determine the winners at the Dana Point competition, but also go towards regional and national titles like the California BBQ Association’s Team of the Year.

Judges will have an opportunity to taste some of the world’s best barbeque and attendees can also get in on the action by participating in the People’s Choice Tasting. Tickets are only $2 each for a serving of chicken, pork, ribs, or brisket. In addition to all the great barbeque, the City of Dana Point will be partnering with the “Taste of Brew” to create a micro-brew garden where patrons can enjoy special micro-brews from over 25 distributors. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Veterans of Foreign Wars Dana Point Post 9934, the 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, the Earth Ocean Society, and the Pet Project Foundation.

Parking will be available at Salt Creek Beach, Strands Vista Park, Stonehill Road and Dana Hills High School. A complimentary shuttle bus will run on Saturday, the 29th from Dana Hills High School to the BBQ Championship from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. To become an event participant or to learn more, please contact the Dana Point Community Services & Parks Department at 949.248.3530.