County-wide bragging rights and a new pellet smoker barbeque were on the line during Wednesday’s annual Backyard BBQ Contest at the Umatilla County Fair.
Hermiston husband and wife, Mike and Deannie Simon took top honors after garnering the highest combined scores from the four grilling categories of beef, lamb, potato, and onion.
Meat and produce were provided by local sponsors Beef Northwest, River Point Farms, Blue Mountain Potato Growers, CHS Inc., Eastern Oregon Mobile Slaughter, EOM Construction, Fiesta Foods, Oregon Potato Commission, Ranch and Home, Silverdale Farms, and Umatilla County Cattleman’s Association.
The friendly banter amongst the grilling teams was audible and there were plenty of willing tasters after the official judging was conducted. The overall winners received a wood pellet smoker, while there were also cash prizes. In each of the divisions, there were cash prizes of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third.
2015 UCF Backyard BBQ Contest Results
Overall Winner: Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike and Deannie Simon
Tri-tip Beef: 1st place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy; 2nd place – Even a Princess is Built Ford Tough, Dennis and Cyndie Whitaker, Robert Longoria; 3rd place – Conestoga, Jeff and Denise Marks
Lamb Roast: 1st place – Conestoga; 2nd place –Third Degree, Tyrel Burns; 3rd place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy
Onion: 1st place – Die Hard BBQ, Tim Watts, Bob Crow and Corey Ashbeck; 2nd place – Conestoga; 3rd place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy
Potato: 1st place – Die Hard BBQ, ; 2nd place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike and Deannie Simon; 3rd place – Conestoga, Jeff and Denise Marks
