Grillin’ and Chillin’ at Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition
Sunny skies and temperatures that topped out at 65 provided the perfect seasoning for the third Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition on Sunday, Oct. 18. Held for the first time at Brook Run Park, the competition drew 25 teams and more than 5,000 attendees.
The Hebrew Order of David-organized event raised tens of thousands of dollars for several charities and brought in donations of nonperishable food and winter clothing. The competing teams, representing various Jewish and community organizations, including the Dunwoody Police Department, sold more than 6,500 $1 of the food they smoked on Weber grills.
People also sampled the food hot off a series of Big Green Eggs and bought food from kosher vendors.
Although the park was packed — the Marcus Jewish Community Center’s Blessing of the Pets was going on at the same time — police kept traffic flowing. The biggest problem was how quickly teams ran out of samples for hungry visitors.
Grillin’ Tefillin, representing Congregation B’nai Torah, was the day’s grand champion, topping Shiva Que and the Brisketeers. Grillin’ Tefillin also was No. 1 for its booth, featuring the Kosher Clink, and its team name, while it was third for brisket, sixth for chicken, ninth for beans and 11th for ribs.
SOBs: Sons of BBQers had the best brisket and best ribs, according to the judges. The Pit Crew produced the prize-winning chicken thighs, and the Holy Smokers served the judges’ favorite beans.
Shimson Smokers took home People’s Choice honors, receiving 30 percent more tickets than any other team.
The Atlanta Jewish Times’ Meat the Press team, which fired off a T-shirt cannon throughout the afternoon, brought home a third-place trophy for our booth and finished sixth overall.
Photos by Michael Jacobs unless otherwise noted
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