Texas Border Business –
H-E-B and the Chamber held the 5th annual Sizzling in the Tropics BBQ Cook-off on Saturday, April 2. Over 1,000 people attended the event where they enjoyed live music, cold drinks and of course all-you-can-eat of the best BBQ in the Rio Grande Valley. Thirty-five teams competed for the best in Chicken, Pulled Pork, Pork Ribs and Beef Brisket, as well as Beans and Pan de Campo. Presenting sponsors, H-E-B, provides all the meats for competition, and the meats are judged in a blind tasting format.
This year’s Grand Champion winner is none other than the Pro Pit Cooking Team. Baldemar Garcia and his team are now the Sizzling in the Tropics five-time defending grand champion team, winning a $500 cash prize this year.
“I was getting a little nervous during the awards presentation that we might lose our Grand Champion status,” said Baldemar Garcia. “When our team name was called I was relieved! The Chamber puts on a great event, a very well organized and very well attended event. We really enjoy this competition.”
Other 1st Place category winners included: 1st Place in Chicken: Smoking J’s Cooking Team; 1st Place in Pulled Pork: PlainsCapital Bank “We are Bankers, Not Cooks” Team; 1st Place in Pork Ribs: the Pro Pit Cooking Team; and 1st Place in Beef Brisket was also won by the Pro Pit Cooking Team. The Showmanship award went to the PlainsCapital Bank Team and H-E-B won the People’s Choice award.
In the Jackpot categories, the Blazing Bandits Team won for best beans and the Pro Pit Cooking Team won for the best Pan de Campo.
“This event is different from other competitions, but that’s what made it fun,” stated Tomas Garcia of the Pigz in the Hood Cooking Team. “We enjoyed serving the public and getting to meet new people. We definitely want to be included next year,” he added.
The Chamber would like to thank all the event sponsors for their contribution to the success of this year’s event: H-E-B, PlainsCapital Bank, The Monitor, Charles Clark Chevrolet, AEP Texas and L&F Budweiser. For more information on the Sizzling in the Tropics BBQ Cook-off, please contact Gerry Garcia at 682-2871.
