Estel’s 13th Annual BBQ Rib Cook-off!

Tuesday, Estel’s Dine by the Sea – the most well-known breakfast spot on the island – held its THIRTEENTH Annual BBQ Rib Cook-Off at their famous beachfront eatery. And I was a judge! Just like I was at the first small contest amongst buddies and braggarts in 2012 (the prize then was $800! and Gino played live music!) Here’s a pic from way back when…

Here are ALL the other Rib Estel’s cook-offs I wrote about (what a fun trip down memory lane):

• 2012: A Rib BBQ Cook-Off at Estel’s Dine By the Sea: First Annual?
• 2014: Estel’s Rib BBQ Cook-Off Packs the Beach & Names Two Hometown Favorites Champions
• 2015: 4th Annual Estel’s BBQ Rib Cook-Off Is A Screaming Success For Diners & Charity
• 2017: Judging Estel’s 6th Annual Rib Cook-Off: The Biggest and Baddest in Belize
• 2023: Estel’s 11th Annual Rib Cook-Off Is Bigger, Better and More Delicious than Ever
• 2024: Estel’s 12th Annual Rib Extravaganza: Bigger and More Delicious

Back to the present. I was RUNNING LATE getting into town. Ribs were going to be ready for judging at noon on the dot and it was 11:50am!!!!

I did a quick tour of all the grill masters – and it was crunch time. Everyone was elbow deep in sauces and preparing the judges pieces.

It later turned out that he also made my favorite rib…he won the Judges Selection.

These two above! George Eiley (born in Placencia but has lived in San Pedro for decades) and his cousin, Doyle – who lives in Placencia. I’ve been on AMAZING tours with both of them.

George (left) owns the Rum Punch 2 – a classic Belizean sailboat – that is such a great way to get on the water (highly recommend – in fact, I need to get back out there!)

And Doyle – does this crazy CRAZY natural water slide tour in the Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve (I need to do this again too!) It’s one of those “only in Belize – are you sure we should be doing this?” tours that you remember for a LONG time.

Time to head inside and find my judges table.

One judge was there earlier than me. Phew! I’m not late. It’s Mayor Wally! Soon Sean from Texas, Rahul and a friend from Sam’s Meat Shop (where all the meat is purchased) assembled for our instructions…

I was very happy that there were only 7 entries this time – we’ve eaten up to 12 and that is…not only too much food but very hard to track.

Jovy Duran – who studied food science at university – told us that it is often best to go with first impressions. Once you start double and triple guessing yourself…I can attest – it all gets very confusing.

And it’s SOOO subjective. I like sweet with a bit of bark on the outside and I don’t like the meat too…smooshy. One rib was SUPER spicy. Some more of a dry rub…it’s hard.

We ate…and some of us discussed and all had slightly different takes. And in the end…the Grand Master is Toshiya and Doyle and his team. (I snagged this photo from the San Pedro Town council facebook page)

And Kevin sent me this photo of his win. Love it. What a fun event.

You can find Kevin at this fantastic spot, The Island’s Jungle Bar and Restaurant.

And you can find Toshiya (the Grand Master) just about everywhere in Belize! He’s got a sushi restaurant at the Mahogany Bay area, one in town, one in Placencia, a sushi bus that drives around Belize – he is incredible.

Folks were all digging in. I took a pic of this table all in red Kansas City gear – I hear that town knows something about BBQ and about football. 🙂