A Hermiston husband-and-wife team took home top honors during the Umatilla County Fair’s annual Backyard BBQ Contest.
Mike Simon, with his wife, Deannie Simon, who made up the winning team of Smokin’ Hot and Saucy, garnered the highest combined scores from the seven grilling categories of beef, lamb, potato, onion, pork, Bloody Mary, and dessert.
Meat and produce were provided by local sponsors River Point Farms, Blue Mountain Potato Growers, CHS Inc., Eastern Oregon Mobile Slaughter, EOM Construction, Fiesta Foods, Oregon Potato Commission, Ranch and Home, Tyson Foods, Oregon Lamb, Golden Valley East, Oregon Grain Growers Distillery and Umatilla County Cattleman’s Association.
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 man,
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, and cash prizes. For each of the divisions, $300 was awarded for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third.
2017 UCF Backyard BBQ Contest Results:
Grand Prize Winner: Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike Simon, and Deannie Simon
Tri-tip Beef: 1st place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike Simon, and Deannie Simon; 2nd place – Die Hard BBQ, Tim Watts, Bob Crowe; 3rd place – 3rd Degree BBQ, Tyrel Burns, and Fawn Burns.
Lamb Roast: 1st place – 3rd Degree BBQ, Tyrel Burns, and Fawn Burns; 2nd place –Princess JaNessa, Jeremy Prewitt, Cyndi Prewitt, Mike and Shelly; 3rd place – Triple K BBQ, Taylor Holwegner, Kristina Knudsen, and Lorrie Gay.
Onion: 1st place – 3rd Degree BBQ, Tyrel Burns, Fawn Burns; 2nd place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike Simon, and Deannie Simon; 3rd place – Grillin’ & Chillin’, Paula Morgan, Bonnie Morrell, Jessica Edwards, Cassidy Edwards.
Potato: 1st place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike Simon, and Deannie Simon; 2nd place – Smokin’ Hot & Kickin’ Ash, Jacob Potter, Will Sharkey, and Kayla Potter; 3rd place – 3rd Degree BBQ, Tyrel Burns, and Fawn Burns
Dessert: 1st place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike Simon, and Deannie Simon; 2nd place – 3rd Degree BBQ, Tyrel Burns, Fawn Burns; 3rd place – Smokin’ Hot and Kickin’ Ash, Jacob Potter, Will Sharkey, and Kayla Potter.
Pork Ribs: 1st place – Grillin’ & Chillin’, Paula Morgan, Bonnie Morrell, Jessica Edwards, Cassidy Edwards; 2nd place – Smokin’ Hot & Saucy, Mike Simon, and Deannie Simon; 3rd place – 3rd Degree BBQ, Tyrel Burns, Fawn Burns.
Bloody Mary: 1st place – 3rd Degree BBQ, Tyrel Burns, and Fawn Burns; 2nd place – Triple B BBQ, Mark Aby, Robert Hill, and Mike Carlin; 3rd place – Grillin’ & Chillin’, Paula Morgan, Bonnie Morrell, Jessica Edwards, Cassidy Edwards
