Estel’s 12th Annual Rib Extravaganza: Bigger and More Delicious

Yesterday, I woke up, and there was a chill in the air. Hooray! Low 70s, sunny – it’s the perfect day for the 12th Annual Estel’s Dine by the Sea Rib Grilling Cook-off. AND…I’d been asked to help judge.

See my event calendar for information on Carnaval and upcoming events in town.

Many of you know Estel’s for their killer beachfront location, the toes-in-the-sand dining, the breakfast all day, and the best fry jacks in Belize.

They also are well known for their delicious weekend BBQ by Charles…

This is Charles yesterday.

Yesterday was the annual rib cook-off, the 12th in fact. I was at the first (and judging!) – back in 2012. It was an impromptu event amongst 4 or 5 buddies…some from Belize, some from the States…all bragging (over beers) about their prowess at the BBQ. (See: A Rib BBQ Cook-Off at Estel’s Dine By the Sea: First Annual? – they were playing for a cash prize!)

Here’s a picture from way back then…2012.

And here’s yesterday’s competition. The original crew was back – like Jim from Kansas City (above)

He rolls with a crew!

Kevin (who I worked with about 15 years ago) – he invited me to the first cook-off. He can find Kevin most days at his great bar and restaurant south of town.

The Island’s Jungle Bar: A Cool Spot For Everyone Charging Very Local Prices

And then Rick – for the great grilling state of Oregon! 🙂 He may have said something about Fireball Whiskey in his marinade…

Ali – he was at the first cook-off too!

Did I mention what a gorgeous day it was?

And then from Belize by way of Japan. Toshi who has Japanese restaurants all over this country!

Back from Kansas City…

Many of the chefs were handing out samples. Samples of ribs were NOT ALLOWED – it would mess up the judging. But I had a chicken wing, a meatball, a piece of spicy sausage…as usual, I am terrible about gauging my food intake when delicious nibbles are around.

They have such a fun eclectic mix of stuff inside. Estels is the greatest.

And then the waterfront seating….

Look back to see who was competing at the 6th Annual Competition in 2017! Or that time that Jeff was a judge when we first started dating – 2015’s competition (there’s a GREAT pic of Coconut Leo in this one). I LOVE looking thru these older pics.

To the judges table! And then the ribs were delivered. 11 pieces. God bless whoever made all these flags for the judges and everyone who was there! The awards were given for: People’s Choice, Judge’s Choice and then Overall Grill Master.

And the view.

This is some serious judging!

My seatmates Mayor Wally and Chef Jennie Staines of Elvi’s Kitchen are taking their jobs verrrrrry seriously.

Also judging: Chef Chris Aycock, former contestant, now judge, a gentleman from Joe’s Meats (provider of all these ribs!) and a lovely lady whose name starts with an L! 🙂

Rib judging is so hard! Some like fruity, some like sweet, some like spicy, some like saucy…and this year, there was no bad rib. 11 delicious ribs!

Mayor Wally liked them all.

After finishing my judging, I went to see what everyone else was up to. There was live music – lots of it.

I had to take off…I was starting to sweat BBQ. But what a FUN event.

I know that Charles of Estel’s won the highest honor but I need to get the complete list…and then match it up to all those letters! What an amazing amount of work and WHAT a fun event. M

See you next year? Lucky 13?

I want to give a huge shout-out to the Greenhouse Market on Middle Street. 1. for all the great stuff they sell but 2. for keeping their “COVID sink” going. Nothing feels better than a good hand wash on a hot day unless it’s a good handwash on a hot day after judging a Ribs Competition. Thank you!