Barbecue's presence grows each year
Posted on Saturday, September 27, 2008
ANTHONY REYES Northwest Arkansas Times Jim Yancey, with Mr. McGrillitt out of Prairie Grove, works on his BBQ ribs Friday for a barbecue competition in the parking lot of the Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville for Bikes, Blues and BBQ. Friday’s competition included the people’s choice division and today the official awards will be judged and presented.
When it comes to barbecue, Emily and Billy Styles have a secret weapon that sets them apart. They use meat loaf.
“ It’s Cajun-smoked and cooked over the coals, ” said Emily Styles. “ A lot of people have never tried it before, but it’s always a favorite. ”
The Kansas City, Mo., couple spent most of Friday preparing for this year’s “ People’s Choice Award ” cook-off.
The event took place at the Tyson Track Center parking lot and was part of the ninth annual Bikes, Blues and BBQ motorcycle rally.
Like most contestants, the Styles refused to divulge the ingredients behind their secret recipe.
“ We use our own rubs and inject the meat with a homemade marinade, ” said Billy Styles. “ It’s something I just came up with on my own. ”
Despite their tightlipped demeanor, the technique behind the Styles’ cooking is illustrated by their team’s name, “ Smokin’ with Styles. ”
The couple stayed busy Friday, chopping vegetables, smoking meat and adding marinade.
In addition to meat loaf, they prepared 10 slabs of ribs, two pork butts and one beef brisket. Side dishes included: doublestuffed potatoes, green beans, barbecue beans and stuffed jalapenos.
“ We love cooking together, ” said Emily Styles. “ The kitchen is our favorite place in the house. ”
The team was one of about 45 participating in Friday’s competition. The event gave residents and visitors the chance to sample numerous barbecue entries, before voting on a favorite.
“ The barbecue is definitely a top attraction each year, ” said Bob Corscadden, managing partner for Bikes, Blues & BBQ. “ We get about 10 new teams a year. ”
Though he was a newcomer to this year’s contest, Prairie Grove resident Jim Yancey also spent Friday living up to his team name, “ Mr. McGrillit. ” The oneman team rotated between three smokers, flipping meat with one hand, while holding a spray bottle in the other to marinate each piece evenly.
The self-taught cook seemed confident about winning Friday’s competition.
“ I like it and that’s all that matters, ” Yancey said. “ I just showed up with the attitude that I was cooking for my family. ”
Though Friday marked the kick-off for this year’s barbecue contest, the real judging starts today with the Kansas City Barbecue Society’s contest and the Arkansas State Championship. Official KCBS judges and guest judges will begin tasting and judging selections from each of the four categor ies before picking an overall winner. The closed judging will conclude Saturday afternoon during an awards ceremony featuring trophies and cash prizes.
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