The 2011 Pig on the Pond BBQ Competition in Cleremont, Florida was a huge success, especially for member of Unknown BBQ and Uncle Kenny’s BBQ, who took Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion honors.
Unknown BBQ – Grand Champion 2011 Pig on the Pond
Uncle Kenny’s BBQ – Reserve Grand Champion 2011 Pig on the Pond
There were 30 Pro Division BBQ cook team in attendance, including perennial favorites like Whiskey Bent BBQ, Git R Smoked, Florida Skin-n-Bones, Forrest’s Fine Foods, Big Papa’s Country Kitchen, and Hot Wachula’s to name just a few. Competing in the 4 main categories of Chicken, Pork, Ribs, and Brisket – the ranking for this year’s Pig on the Pond BBQ competition was a follows:
Rank |
Team |
| 1. | Unknown BBQ |
| 2. | Uncle Kenny’s BBQ |
| 3. | Budmeisters |
| 4. | Florida Skin-n-Bones |
| 5. | Suwannee River Smokers |
| 6. | Forrest’s Fine Foods |
| 7. | Big Papa’s Country Kitchen |
| 8. | Whiskey Bent BBQ |
| 9. | Git R Smoked |
| 10. | Wolfe Brothers BBQ |
| 11. | GB’s BBQ |
| 12. | Hot Wachula’s |
| 13. | Florida Boys |
| 14. | Big Bad Wolf BBQ |
| 15. | Kick the Tire, Light the Fire |
| 16. | Matt Daddy’s BBQ |
| 17. | Grillin’ Gangsters |
| 18. | Superior Smokers |
| 19. | Smoke on the Lakes |
| 20. | BBQ Shack |
| 21. | C.J.’S Cookin Co. |
| 22. | Smokeys |
| 23. | 352 BBQ |
| 24. | EB’s Pit Stop Barbecue |
| 25. | High Voltage |
| 26. | Nobody’s BBQ |
| 27. | Gator Grates |
| 28. | Mount Dora Bar-B-Que Company |
| 29. | Clermont Cayotes |
| 39. | Down Yonder Bar-B-Q |
Individual category scores for each protein can be found on the Florida Bar-B-Que Association contest website.
As you can see from the photos below, the crowds in attendance were massive, and appetites for BBQ and family fun were running high. As is the case with most BBQ competitions, this one is for charity – specifically, “for the kids.” Now in its 13th year, Pig on the Pond raised $62,000 last year for children’s educational scholarship money. Judging from the number of people I saw in attendance, they’ll meet or exceed this total for 2011.
Big Papa’s Country Kitchen vending to a huge crowd.
Packed house at the 2011 Pig on the Pond BBQ Festival
Whiskey Bent BBQ wasn’t vending, but they still set up in style!
Brian from Uncle Kenny’s BBQ tends the smoker – crowd wants more ribs!
The infamous Dorsey Odell (left) of Unknown BBQ discusses his plans to break out the “big beard” during awards.
Matt Barber of Hot Wachula’s poses next to his authentic Civil War Era smoker.
Full Frontal of Matt Barber’s “Hot Wachula” er… Civil War Era Smoker. Note the Surtape on top!
Rear-end view of Matt’s “Hot Wachla’s” smoker. Yup – that’s magnetic heat resistant tape for the damper.
Effinheimer Ale at Pig on the Pond – A Saving Grace among the typical Bud.
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In keeping with the theme of nearly every BBQ competition in the nation, the 2011 Cleremont, Florida Pig on the Pond barbecue competition to be held this weekend will benefit youth education scholarships. A noble cause given the budget restrictions our state is facing when it comes to funding education.
Staff writer Roxanne Brown over at the Daily Commercial posted a great interview with Pig on the Pond event coordinator Cheryl Fishel as the event heads into its 13th year. Brown stresses the determination by Fishel and others associated with Pig on the Pond to make sure folks understand that this event is all about the kids.
“Pig on the Pond is a household name but people still didn’t understand that it is a charity event for the kids,” said Cheryl Fishel, a longtime organizer of the event. “All the money raised goes to local scholarships and educational programs. That’s who it’s all for, the kids.”
During the past 12 years, Pig on the Pond has raised about $492,000 for local scholarships, with last year’s event brought in about $62,000. Fishel said she hopes to celebrate this year as a record year for Pig on the Pond surpassing the $500,000 mark.
The biggest “draw” for this event, in this eyes of this blogger is, of course, the FBA sanctioned BBQ Competition! Whiskey Bent BBQ of Lakeland, FL will be on site to defend it’s 2010 Grand Championship win, but teams like Team Unknown BBQ out of Winter Haven, FL, Hot Wachula’s of Lakeland, FL, Uncle Kenny’s BBQ from Winter Garden, FL, and Git-R-Smoked (run by Terry McKay of Custom Graphics and Signs) out of Okeechobee, FL will be vying to walk for GC honors.
About The 2011 Pig on the Pond BBQ Competition
This year’s festival is scheduled for March 11 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and March 12 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m, with admission set at $2 per person. There will be a lot of great attractions held during this year’s event, including a returning popular event called the ”Spin a Thon.” This event is hosted with the support of Gold’s Gym of Clermont, where 20 marathon cycling teams pedal for six full hours on Saturday for donations and pledges.
Another returning event is the pig-racing put on by Robinson’s Racing Pigs. Fishel said the pig races, which have become one of the favorite events for attendees, are scheduled throughout Friday and Saturday. In addition, attendees will once again be able to “take a chance on a child” by betting on which pig they think will win each race. Those who bet on the winning pig will be entered in a raffle for the money in the pot for that race – with a portion of the proceeds benefiting graduating seniors who are members of the FFA.
Fishel added that event officials are excited about the honor of being the first event to be held at the city’s brand new Waterfront Pavilion. The construction on the pavilion was completed just last month, and it’s “going to really change the look of the whole event and will definitely enhance the entertainment,” Fishel said.
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