Dear Editor:
Family Pathways hosted its first Ribfest – Amateur BBQ Cook-Off, Saturday, Aug. 15. The cook-off included 10 teams that competed for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and People’s choice awards. Each team received 4-racks of ribs donated from Isanti Retail Meats. The event was hosted by KBEK 95.5, filling the scene with music and live broadcasting.
Rib sales benefitted Family Pathways service areas and through community support, we raised $5,000. Competitors and the public were able to have fun and enjoy ribs, all while supporting a charitable organization.
Rib sales began at 3:30 p.m. and quickly sold out within a half an hour. Ribs varied from sweet to spicy, traditional down home family recipes and secret rubs. All of which were a great hit with the public leaving visitors wanting more. Luckily, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, who was not competing, provided extra ribs and sides for the public.
After much anticipation, the ribs were ready to be judged. Ribfest judges were Loren Davis, Rick Olseen and Rick Waytashek. The judges based their votes on tenderness, taste and texture. They had the difficult task of tasting each competitor’s ribs.
Congratulations to the Ribfest winners:
1st Place: Rum River Rib Rubbers
2nd Place and People’s Choice: Wild Water BBQ
3rd Place: Sweet Smoke
Family Pathways is amazed by the community support from those who showed up. This event was a great way to bring the community together and to help a charitable organization. Together, we are helping to keep teens on the road to a productive and healthy future, protecting domestic violence victims and serving aging adults in our community.
Family Pathways would also like to thank Isanti Retail Meats, KBEK, Motek, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Hayford Ford, and numerous other businesses for sponsoring the event.
If you missed this year’s exciting event, don’t worry – you have one year to join the competition, perfect your ribs, or if you prefer, practice taste testing all the ribs you can. Be sure to come next year with a big appetite and friendly competition. Family Pathways is very excited to bring this event back to the community and to spend the day with you.
Caitlin Netzer, Communications Coordinator
Family Pathways