Commissioner’s Cup BBQ Cook-off Winners Announced
In the inaugural Smokin’ at the Market Commissioner’s Cup Barbecue Cook-off and Festival, teams from five states vied for the title of Grand Champion.
“Anything But” was the order of evening on Friday. Cooking teams participating in the competition on Saturday had the opportunity to prepare and serve “anything but” barbecue on the eve of Saturday’s Commissioner’s Cup. To the visiting tasters, shrimp and grits beat out the other non-barbecue entries like chili, BBQ wings, cheeseburger soup, and chicken cakes (a variation of crab cakes). The “Anything But” winner was No Pig Left Behind, a team of cooks from Goose Creek, S.C.
On Saturday, Hugh Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture, presented the awards. Winners in the “Butts” competition were First Place – Palmetto Smokehouse of Okatie, S.C., Second Place – Ultimate Tailgate BBQ of Aiken, S.C., and Third Place – Pickin’ Porkers of Clemmons, N.C.
In the “Ribs” category, winners were First Place – Pot Belly Cookers of Summerville, S.C., Second Place – Nards Barkyard BBQ of Piedmont, S.C., and Third Place – Some-R-Swine of Summerville, S.C.
Reserve Champion was Palmetto Smokehouse and the South Carolina State Grand Champion winner of the Commissioner’s Cup was Ultimate Tailgaters BBQ.
Commissioner Weathers said, “This is a great way to celebrate Spring and the beginning of the harvest season. If you joined us for the Commissioner’s Cup, we invite you to come back for the peak produce season and enjoy all the fresh flavors of a South Carolina summer.”
The inaugural Commissioner’s Cup was sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, Smithfield, Pepsi of the Carolinas, U.S. Foods, Angel Insurance & Financial Services, Columbia Meats, and The Trophy and Gift Shop.
Weathers added, “If you think this event was great, stay tuned to 2013. Nothing’s fresher. Nothing’s finer. And, really, nothing’s ‘swiner’ than enjoying barbecue at the South Carolina Commissioner’s Cup.”
