Estel’s 11th Annual Rib Cook-Off Is Bigger, Better and More Delicious than Ever
Estel’s Dine by the Sea is the favorite breakfast/brunch joint right in the center of San Pedro – just south of Central Park. Right on the beach next to this sign.
They are well known for the best fry jacks in the world but also for this big and getting bigger annual event.
Yesterday, the crew at Estel’s gathered 8 grillers from around the world – yes the world! – to fire up their barbecues and their smokers, prepare racks and racks of ribs and serve hundreds of hungry AND judgemental fans on the beach.
Can you think of a more beautiful view?
For bragging rights and a HUGE rib belt (adjustable of course…an adjustable belt is as critical as hand-wipes after eating a big plate of BBQ)
Here’s my rib best selfie.
Estel’s had sold OUT of 200 tickets…there were 2 live bands…and the grillers had been at work since 5am! (The sunrises at about 6:30am this time of year)
Oh…and I forgot to tell you the very best part. I was asked to be a judge!
What qualifications do you actually have you might ask? Well…I’ve done it before. AND…I guess I didn’t TOTALLY mess it up. It’s SO fun to look back on these older posts – and smaller competitions. Take a look at the first competition in 2012!
4 of the original BBQers have been competing every year – Rick from Oregon, Jim from Kansas City and Kevin from Island’s Jungle Bar and Restaurant and Charles from Estel’s.
The 6th Annual Rib Cook-Off at Estel’s (this post has some of my favorite GIFs of all time)
So let me get to this year’s event. The 11th Annual BBQ Cook-off and show you how it all went down.
2014: The 3rd Annual Estels Rib Cook-off – Belizeans Take Both Medals!
The 8 competitors were the original four – Rick from Oregon…ENTRY A
Jim – in the middle- from Kansas City. With the official shirts for the team…ENTRY C
Kevin from Orange Walk and San Pedro with “Team Kevin” behind him. ENTRY F or ask Kevin put it “F for fuck yeah”
And Charles…one of the owners of Estels. ENTRY B Somehow I forgot to get his picture! But here he is standing with his wife Irenie in front of the gorgeous view after everyone had eaten.
Brian and team from Kansas City. Apparently, they do BBQ up there! 😉 ENTRY E
Joe and Robin. ENTRY D
Chef Toshiya – he’s from Japan. But has been in Belize for quite a few years now and does fantastic sushi at Jyoto Restaurant. ENTRY H
(And if you are thinking…Japanese? Don’t! They are grill masters and teriyaki…and ginger…are delicious with pork)
And Mark from Dallas. ENTRY G
And then pictures of the event and the gorgeous day.
What a day!
Not only do you need to make great ribs…but you need to make it for HUNDREDS of people. On an 80-degree day. This is no joke, folk.
Lance the Boca Del Rio potlicker who meets SOOOO many visitors was waiting patiently for the food to be served. This was going to be a good afternoon for Lance.
Grilling…
Traveller’s Rum was there giving samples…
And then the food was served. I was judging with a very esteemed bunch. Mayor Wally, Mayor of San Pedro. Chef Jennie, the fantastic chef from Elvi’s Kitchen WHO retired from this competition after winning ALL the medals a few years back. Very smart. There were 6 others around the table.
Mmmmm…ribs.
And the scoring pad.
You’d think this was just delicious eating but it’s HARD! (No….no need for thoughts and prayers)
All of those who bought tickets got a plate and they would be voting on the People’s Choice award.
And in the end…drumroll please…
(I chose C and F as my favorites…)
The JUDGES CHOICE!
3rd: E – Brian 2nd: F – Kevin FIRST PLACE: C – JIM
Go Jim! Sweet and savory and a tiny bit spicy…dark and shiny and tender and delicious. And not “hammy”…
THE PEOPLES Choice!
3rd: E – Brian 2nd: C – Jim FIRST PLACE: F – KEVIN
YES! Jim and Kevin’s were so close – and as judges…we were divided. Kevin’s ribs were more smoky and Jim’s less so. It’s a personal preference I guess.
AND THEN…GRILLERS’ Choice
3rd place: F Kevin 2nd place: D Joe and First Place: JIM
All tallied and totaled, the big prize, the GRAND MASTER GRILLER went to Jim.
I’ll share this 2017 picture from the 6th Annual Cook-Off of Jim…because it’s a classic.
Check out some great pictures of this year’s grinning grilling winners at the San Pedro Sun here.
WHAT a fun event.
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