Grills blazed under tents while the scorching sun reflected the fiery spirit of competition during Saturday’s first annual Cattlemen’s Smokin’ Hot BBQ Competition hosted by Green Parrot at the East Bay Marina.

Each of the 25, five-person teams brought a unique flavor to the competition, and groups that were there only to showcase added their own special tastes to the mix. “’Cattlemen’s’ is a fantastic barbeque sauce. It’s part of the French’s family of fine products; it’s represented in Nassau by Thompson Trading who is our cornerstone sponsor at this event. Of course, without great sponsors, activities like this don’t happen,” said event producer Alexis Garcia.

“From the beginning, it has been our goal to expand the competition throughout the Caribbean. After 5 years with the event in San Juan, and seeing the acceptance and growth during those years, last year we developed the regional BBQ competition circuit around the Caribbean.”

For a collective entry fee of $150, the teams were given 50 pounds of meat, but had to provide everything else including grills, coal and any dressings that they wanted to use. Though the event started at 10am and ended at 5pm, the teams spent hours before the event preparing their specialty sauces and ingredients, and afterwards breaking down their creative setups.

“I’ve been out here since 6am!” said Brett, a member of “The Meat Police”. Something was there for everyone; whether you like your barbeque fresh-from-hell spicy or milder than sheep; also sauces ranged from red-wine reduction to a sauce that team “The Big Hurt” claimed would never let your wife leave you if you put it behind your ear. “An event like this is really a family event,” said Garcia.

That it was, with a bouncing castle for the kids, as well as balloons and lots of kid-friendly snacks; all of which was balanced by a selection of alcoholic drinks for adult consumption provided by Sands Beer and John Watlings.

Also present at the event was creator of Ocean Potion sunscreen, Gary DeAngelo. It was a very busy afternoon, as photographers trolled the grounds, Hot 91.7FM hosted a live remote from the competition, and the line to enter the marina extended across the parking lot of the Green Parrot and live performances by Bahamian artists were placed throughout the day.

Over 2,000 people were expected to have attended the event. The team that walked away with the prize of $500 and the honor of representing The Bahamas at the Cattlemen’s BBQ Competition in San Juan, Puerto Rico was Team Miller, scoring the highest in all categories: sauce, ribs, poultry, beef, pork butt, seafood and showmanship. 2nd and 3rd overall teams received $300 and $200 respectively, and teams in 2nd and 3rd from each category received medals for their valiant efforts.

To all the teams, as well as the non-competing groups, Bertha’s Go-Go Ribs and the College of The Bahamas’ Culinary Arts students, thanks for all the delicious food! Congratulations to the winning teams and good luck to everyone in San Juan and at next year’s Cattlemen’s Smokin’ Hot BBQ Competition!

For more information on the Cattlemen’s competition and the Caribbean Barbeque Association, visit: http://www.bbqpr.com/

By Jasper Haeward