DIXIE DINING’S 1ST ANNUAL  BATTLE OF THE BBQ SAUCES

“It was just like the Olympics. But instead of athletes we had people with big plates of pork.”

Our first ever “Battle of the BBQ Sauces” took place during our annual holiday party in December of 2004.  A strong field of competitors were vying for the three top awards (Gold, Silver and Bronze medallions crafted by our friends at Tri-State Trophy in Southaven, MS). Guests at our party had a great “canvas” to work with --- a succulent young pig cooked to perfection by renowned master BBQ artist, Will Shelton.

Shelton purchased the hog in Tennessee’s Mennonite country and proceeded to slow smoke the bounty for 18 hours over a secret blend of choice woods. Will delivered the still-sizzling pig to our home where it didn’t have a chance in the midst of a throng of hungry holiday diners. I quickly donned some surgical gloves and, after some expert instruction from Shelton, began pulling off mouth-watering strands of the most flavorful pulled pork you could possibly imagine. In the meantime, my wife Eileen was hard at work describing the flavor profiles of each of the sauces entered in the competition.

When the forks finally came to a rest our winners were:

>> 1st Place –

• The Brick Pit of Mobile, Alabama

>> 2nd Place – (tie)

• Big Bob Gibson’s Red Habinero Sauce of Decatur, AL
• Sassy Jones Original Sauce of Montrose, AR

>> 3rd Place -

• Sassy Jones Hickory Sauce of Montrose, AR

>> Honorable mention - “Best Mustard Based Sauce”

• Maurice’s BBQ of Columbia, SC

Thanks to all the friends and suppliers who participated in this wonderful event. I can honestly say we did not taste a bad sauce all night. We certainly are already looking forward to our next “Battle of the BBQ Sauces,” which may take place as soon as this July at the DixieDining.Com HQ in lovely Hernando, Mississippi.

^Top^