Fourth Annual BBQ contest held at Backstory Brewery

Backstory Brewery celebrated its Fourth Annual Barbecue Cook-Off on Saturday. Each year, the brewery donates all of the proceeds from the event to a different charity - this year, the recipient was the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center. The center is planning on building a new facility in the near future.

A total of seven contestants participated this year, enough to bring in a variety of well-seasoned grills. Each team had a chance to win first, second and third in the following categories: appetizer, dessert, chicken, ribs and brisket. Firing up their smokers around noon, those competing got straight to work, seeking to cook the juiciest, most delicious meats in town.

After visiting with a few of the contestants, only a few tips and tricks were shared, but no winning recipes were provided. Returning champion and fire fighter, Adrian Sitzes of “Off Duty BBQ” from Mount Pleasant anticipated another win, stating that his secret to success was “good luck.”

Steven White of “Meat Shots” out of Wilie was competing in his 12th com petition. White recently attended a Kansas City Barbeque Society event in May where he became a member of the “180 club,” a prestigious group of cooks within the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts. White attributed his success to “just knowing what you’re doing.”

Chuck White of “White Smoke” and native to Sulphur Springs brought some of the heat to the competition with his award winning experience. He recently won first in the 12th Annual “Help a Child” Benefit and first for his chicken in 2017 at the Second Annual “Salute the Veterans” Barbeque Cook-Off in Sulphur Springs. His tip to those seeking the same success, “just get out there and cook, anyone can do it.”

Tori and Dylan Owsley, also residents of Sulphur Springs and owners of “Honest to Goodness” participated in their first competition at the brewery. The Owsleys sell their famous Cuban sandwiches at Celebration Plaza every Saturday during the Farmers’ Market. No stranger to taking risks, Tori shared one of her favorite quotes, “if your dreams don’t scare you, you’re not dreaming big enough.”

After a steamy, but exciting afternoon of outdoor grilling, Robert and Iris Lennington, Owners of Backstory Brewery rallied the contestants to hear the final results around 4 p.m. The winners in each category are as follows: appetizer – Off Duty BBQ – First; Weber Ninja – Second, dessert – Meat Shots – First; Allison Libby -Thesing – Second, chicken – White Smoke – First; Meat Shots – Second; Off Duty – Third, ribs – Off Duty – First; Meat Shots – Second; White Smoke – Third, “Grand Champion” brisket – Off Duty – First; Meat Shots – Second; White Smoke – Third.

Backstory Brewery holds four events a year to help raise money for local charities, varying from cook-offs to 5-K runs. So far, they have made donations to “Chad’s Media” for their “Sam Kopel Education Foundation,” the “Help a Child” Benefit, “Shadow Ranch” and the City Animal Shelter. Contestants of the “Annual Barbecue Cook-Off ” at Backstory Brewery typically donate their cash prizes back to the fundraiser according to Lennington. Following the cook-off, the brewery celebrated another successful charity event with a concert by local 90s cover band, “Nevermind” with opener, Carissa Carter.