Chamber Barbecue Contest a Success: BBQ, bands and a large crowd help attendance exceed expectations for inaugural event
Cook Brad Carter from Raleigh prepares BBQ ribs.Photos by mark stone
By Anita B. Stone
Saturday, September 18, was the big day of the First Annual Rolesville Cook-Off. “It was like the gold rush of the 1800s,” said a resident who attended the event, which was sponsored by the Rolesville Chamber of Commerce.
“The longest line of people I’ve ever seen waiting for barbecue,” said Kendra Browning of Rolesville. “The waiting was worth it. The food was great. They did a good job.”
More than 800 plates were sold at the event. “It went way over the top,” said Chamber President Roger Scott. “It was more than we anticipated.”
“The town advertised the event very well,” Browning said. “Good advertising is what brought us here.”
Local firefighters, policemen and neighbors competed to see who really cooks the best barbecue in town. Plates were sold for pickup, delivery or eat-in. Those who ate at the event dined in a tent labeled “Swine and Dine Café.”
Mayor Frank Eagles, Renee Chou of WRAL TV, Mark Roberts of Capital Ford, Robert Pettyjohn and Dennis Falter judged the barbecue. Roberts also served as emcee.
Pictured right, Jason Jordan of Rolesville displays his winning certificate for cooking the best pork BBQ in the whole pig category.
After much tasting and deliberation, the judges selected Lee Price of the Rolesville Fire Department a winner for Best Chicken, Chris Prieto of Raleigh for the Best Ribs, and Jason Jordan of the Rolesville Fire Department for the Best Whole Pig.
The People’s Choices, voted by those who attended, were Lee Price for the Best Chicken, Jason Jordan for the Best Whole Pig and Tony Barnes for the Best Ribs.
A chicken cackling contest was won by two young girls, Erin Price and Lizzie Murray, who truly cackled.
The bands Captain Fiva, OTG Band and Graffiti Monkeys provided musical entertainment.
Jenny Rowe, executive director of the Rolesville Chamber of Commerce, thanked the volunteers who donated their time to make the event a success. “We could not have done it without all the wonderful people who helped,” she said. “We were happy to see such a successful event.”
Pictured left, Mayor Frank Eagles begins to sample and judge the BBQ submitted by the cooks.
