Johnson earns bragging rights as best ‘backyard barbecuer’
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POLSON — Smoke smelling of grilling meat and tangy sweet barbecue sauce really did drift over the tents and canopies of chefs competing in the 2nd Annual Smokin’ on the Water Barbecue Cook-Off on Aug. 21.
Sponsored by the Polson Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, the contest has no professional barbecue chefs as far as La Nita Barahona knew.
“Just backyard barbecuers,” Barahona, chair of the event, said.
Barahona also said even though three less cooks entered the contest, all the cooks sold more food. The crowds were huge, too.
“The big winner was Preston Johnson from Les Schwab,” Barahona said, “with three firsts and one second.”
Barbecuing began at 11 a.m., and cooks needed to turn in their sauce entries at 2 p.m., chicken entries at 2:30 p.m., pork at 3 p.m., beef at 3:30 p.m. and open dishes at 4 p.m. Winners were announced at 4:30 p.m.
The event ran in conjunction with the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino’s Brewfest. The Brewfest began at noon and live bands started playing at 6 p.m. and ended at 8 p.m.
2nd annual Smokin’ on the Water Barbecue Cook-off winners are:
1st Place, Sauce
Pit Boss: Michael Tigue
Team: Side of the Tracks
Chicken
Pit Boss: Preston Johnson
AKA Propane Punk
Team: Les Schwab, Polson
Pork
Pit Boss: Michael Tigue
Team: Side of the Tracks
Beef
Pit Boss: Preston Johnson AKA Propane Punk
Team: Les Schwab Polson
Open Category
Pit Boss: Tyanna Starkel
Team: S & S Sports, Inc.
2nd Place, Sauce
Pit Boss: Bonnie Sedita
Team: KwaTaqNuk Resort
Chicken
Pit Boss: Michael Tigue
Team: Side of the Tracks
Pork
Pit Boss: Jack Clapp
Team: Polson Fire Department
Beef
Pit Boss: Bonnie Sedita
Team: KwaTaqNuk Resort
Open Category
Pit Boss: Preston Johnson
AKA Propane Punk
Team: Les Schwab, Polson
People’s Choice Award
Les Schwab, Polson
