Local barbecue hopefuls ready to compete

Story and photos by Susan Mikula Campbell
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, August 16, 2008

Linda Prosser, trustee for Eagles Aerie 1411, enjoyed her taste of meat, straight off the
grill of Roy “Honcho” Gregory, chairman of the Smokin’ Eagles Barbecue Competition.

When it comes to barbecue, the South is king. That’s where you’ll find the big barbecue competitions like the National BBQ Festival’s Best of the Best in Douglas, Ga.

Today, however, barbecue competition visits Wheatfield with the Smokin’ Eagles Barbecue Championship at The Summit mall.

Some local residents among the teams competing are hoping to take that top prize of a ticket to the invitation-only Best of the Best and show that Western New Yorkers also know their way around a barbecue grill.

Grand Island resident Robin Simpson, 49, a dispatcher for a local trucking company, would like that winning ticket, although she admits, “I’m just an amateur. It’s more like a hobby thing.”

Fellow Grand Islander Dave Ball is part of her team (named Ms. Robinson in honor of her grandmother). “He’s going to be my runner and help keep the coals hot and keep the wood coming in for me.

Simpson uses apple wood, which she believes gives a sweeter taste to the meat.

Shown enjoying one of the pulled pork sandwiches sold to
benefit the Wheatfield Historical Society is Judy Ponzi.

Tim Racey, 37, of Wheatfield, a science teacher at Starpoint High School, would like that ticket for his team, the Smokin’ Aces. He does have a secret weapon in fellow Starpoint teacher Josh Jung, who is also a professionally trained chef.

“We’re looking to have fun and learn from the other people, but we’d kind of like to put barbecue on the Western New York map,” he said.

He’s looking forward to this weekend and the chance to meet other fans. “I don’t think you ever stop learning when you do this.”

Jim Hillman, 41, of Ransomville, hopes the special sauce he’s concocted over the past 10 years for his blackberry ribs will take him to the winner’s circle. The Smokin’ Eagles competition this weekend has prompted him to move up his dream of opening next spring the East Coast Barbecue Company. He’s currently doing catering and delivery and hopes within the next three to five years to open a barbecue restaurant.

“When I was in the service, I spent some time in South Carolina and Missouri,” he said, explaining his love of barbecue. “It’s something I’ve always said to myself – you know I should go into business doing this.”

The utility operator for Covanta Energy in Niagara Falls said Smokin’ Eagles will be “an opportunity to get out there and show what I can do.”

Roy “Honcho” Gregory, competition chairman, said 17 teams will be competing for that ticket to Georgia, although some late-entry Canadians are expected to increase the team count by the time the barbecue smoke starts rising.

The Smokin’ Eagles event is open to the public. Admission is $5 at the barbecue area in The Summit parking lot. Proceeds will help the charitable works of the Fraternal Order of Eagle Aerie 1411.

A beer tent will be open noon to 10:30 p.m. today. Various vendors will be available and a car show will be operating at the mall.

Two bands donated their services: True Fate performed Friday and, on Saturday afternoon, Even Odds will be on stage. In addition, Save-A-Lot is sponsoring the Junkyard Dogs band tonight.

Competitors set up and started cooking Friday. For an additional $5, the public can sample some of their barbecue and vote for People’s Choice today.