TMCnet News
Patrons find cook-off to their tastesApr 14, 2013 (Muskogee Phoenix - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Dark skies and intermittent sprinkles Saturday didn't stop thousands from attending the 29th annual Chili and Barbecue Cook-Off. The event, put on by the Muskogee Exchange Club, pulled in hundreds of competitors. Tim Riles, the head cook for Muskogee Sizzlin' Bones, said the crowd's eager hunger had temporarily emptied his crew's serving dishes of food. "I've been out here since 1986," Riles said. "There are a lot of people out here this year. I couldn't tell you what my favorite part is, because it's all a lot of fun." The menu for Riles, who won the pepper-eating contest in 1986, and his crew consisted of chicken, brisket, ribs and pork butt. As long as the food is good, the crowd loves it, Riles said. "My personal favorite used to be the ribs," he said. "Now it's the brisket. We've got 10 to 15 people on the team this year, and while a win would be great, we're just out here to support these charities and have some fun. We want to give away food people like." The air was scented with the aromas of spice and hardwood, and the crowd often got backed up because of interest at a particular booth. Many were busily trying to eat what was in their tasting bowls before they got to the next booth to fill up again. Patrons had the chance to experience many different types of foods, from standard chicken and ribs all the way to smoked rattlesnake, served by Max's Garage. Michael Mahoney and Chris Radanovich, both of Muskogee, said they had been coming to the cook-off for years. "We've been coming since we were at least 14," Radanovich said. "We used to ride our bikes up here every year. Hanging out with friends and seeing everyone is the best part. This weather is perfect, too; it's not hot at all." Mahoney echoed his friend's sentiments about the weather, but his favorite thing was a little different. "I like being with my family and the chili," he said. "I'm still looking for the best one right now." The Exchange Club added a Kids Zone and live music to this year's mix. The Kids Zone was full of inflatables, horse rides and even camel rides. With the kids worn out and their bellies full, adults were treated to the music of Harley Hamm, Vegas Limit, and several others. Tyrone Yancy, a firefighter from Memphis, Tenn., said this was his first Chili and Barbecue Cook-Off. "They did a good job out here today," he said. "I'm full, but I'm trying to put the rest of this away because I don't like to waste food. I've been here for six months, and this is my first event in Muskogee. I think they've done real good for the town. It's made a real good first impression on me." Yancy added that the cook-off might have even persuaded him to move to Muskogee. "I'll have to come back next year, anyway," he said. "I can't miss all this good food." You can reach Travis Sloat at (918) 684-2908 or [email protected]. Cook-off winners Chili: 1. Georgia Pacific 2. Mean Green Chili 3. Mean Green Chili 4. Second Man Chili 5. Georgia Pacific 6. Mossman Chili 7. Butt Good Chili 8. Georgia Pacific 9. Mexican Swett #2 10. Mexican Swett #1 C.A.S.I. Chili Showmanship: 1. Advance Workzone 2. Advance America 3. Butt Good Chili Hot Link: 1. Gooseneck Bend Fire Department 2. Life Church 3. Foo King Hot Wing Co. 4. Cross/Sprocket Wireless 5. Advantage Controls Open: 1. Foo King Hot Wing Co. 2. Foo King Hot Wing Co. 3. Children's Clinic 4. Sizzlin' Bones Barbecue 5. Armstrong Bank Chicken: 1. Ranglers 2. Biggin Horny Barbecue 3. EASTAR Health System 4. Advance Workzone 5. Life Church Ribs: 1. Armstrong Bank 2. Biggin Horny Barbecue 3. Dad's Smokin' Again 4. TNK Barbecue -- Creek Nation Casino 5. Mossman Ribs Brisket: 1. Advance Workzone 2. Dad's Smokin' Again 3. Biggin Horny Barbecue 4. Sizzlin' Bones Barbecue 5. Gooseneck Bend Fire Department Crowd Pleasin': Beans: 1. Advance Workzone 2. Rattlers 3. Swamp Sauce Seasoning 4. Max's Garage 5. Avon Angels Barbecue: 1. Advance Workzone 2. Foo King Hot Wing Co. 3. Children's Clinic 4. Sizzlin' Bones Barbecue 5. Max's Garage Chili: 1. Georgia Pacific 2. ServPro 3. Team Red River 4. EASTAR Health System 5. Dal-Tile Showmanship: 1. Georgia Pacific 2. ServPro 3. Advantage Controls 4. EASTAR Health Services 5. Advance Workzone President's Award: Yaffe Iron and Metal Jack Livingston Award: Max's Garage Grand Champion: Advance Workzone ___ (c)2013 the Muskogee Phoenix (Muskogee, Okla.) Visit the Muskogee Phoenix (Muskogee, Okla.) at muskogeephoenix.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |