When the smoke had cleared from around the Windham Civic Center Saturday afternoon, awards were presented to the winners in the first Shelby County Grill Fest Barbecue Contest. The event was sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society and 18 teams took part. The top-three winners in each of three meat categories were awarded cash prizes—including $1,000 for first; $750 for second, and $500 for third. A trophy was presented to overall grand and reserve champions.

 

Coming away with Grand Champion honor was the Wild Willis Kookers from Willis, with head cook Lang Chapman; reserve champion went to Team Rage of Rusk, with head cook Braun Cyr. Wild Willis Kookers had the first place chicken and third place brisket; meanwhile Team Rage took third in chicken and second in pork spare rib.

 

Grill Fest chairman, Mark Ivey told Center Broadcasting he and the grill fest committee were very pleased with the turnout of participants, and the overall success of the event.

 

In addition, 11 teams took part in the 42 tournament, with the team of Lynn Johnson and Louise Johnson earning the title of 42 Tournament Champions.

 

Meanwhile, 15 washer pitching teams participated in the event, with Brian Dean and Joey Lawson taking the win.

 

Here’s the list of top three finishes in each meat category:

 

Chicken:

1^st place-Wild Willis Kookers

2^nd place-Farmers State Bank, Center, head cook Joey Lawson

3^rd place-Team Rage

 

Pork Spare Ribs:

1^st place-Farmers State Bank, Center

2^nd place-Team Rage

3^rd place-Uncle Willy’s Redneck Mafia, Hemphill, head cook Tommy McGee

 

Brisket:

1^st place-All Smoked Up, Jacksonville, head cook Oley Willis

2^nd place-Uncle Willy’s Redneck Mafia

3^rd place-Wild Willis Kookers