The second annual Barbeque Cook-Off is nearly upon us, and Dennis Ranger, co-owner of Barrhead Custom Meats, is definitely looking forward to it.
“I was the chief last year, so I guess I’ll likely get dethroned this time around, if there’s someone out there who wants to try and beat me,” he said, and added that if nothing else, his son Shane will be competing too. The chances of being beaten, Ranger admitted, were pretty good.
Unfortunately however, there are not enough grillers signed up this time around and Ranger is looking for the names of willing participants. “Some people are afraid of the competition thing, I don’t know why,” he said. “But the taster is a big deal too, we had 500 people last year.”
They would like to see any business that does not want to join in the cook-off itself to come out anyway, with their barbeques in tow and barbeque anything they want. “Just give it to the public for advertizing and stuff like that,” Ranger explained. “The only thing is, you’ll have to come and see me so I can give you the health regulations, and that’s all you have to do.”
According to Ranger, the competition this year is not just for the businesses and people in town either. “We’ve got farmers around here, pork and beef producers, and the councils, both town and county, and they’re all just sitting on their laurels when they should all come out too,” he added.
Shawn Fillier, vice president of the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce, said that the cook-off is a great idea because people will have the opportunity to cook whatever they want.
The cook-off is sponsored by the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce and Barrhead Custom Meats, and will be on Saturday, August 8, so if the smell of barbequing is something you look forward to, then this is an event that you will enjoy.
“Come out and get in the community spirit,” Ranger said.
For more information, please contact either Shane Ranger (780) 674-3121 or Shawn Fillier (780) 674-8467.
