Jim Fair
Bruce Fallon, the winner of the CPW BBQ Cook-Off, reviews the judges remarks.
Jim Fair
Fredia Snow was the popular winner decided by the employees among 11 cookers. Snow also finished second in judges' picks.
Jim Fair
Jeremy Gossett brought his homemade barbecue sauce in a water bottle. He shared the sauce with his department but did not share the recipe.
Jim Fair
Judges graded the cookers on taste, smell, texture and other qualities. Left to right: Junior Holder (Quality Foods), Carl Howell (Deputy Fire Marshal), Bill Roughton (Greer Relief Business Director), Mark Owens (President/CEO Greer Chamber of Commerce) and Cpl. Bill Rhyne (South Carolina Highway Patrol).
Carl Howell, Greer Deputy Fire Marshal, was one of five judges. “Any of the top three could have been number one,” he said.
Fallon said he tweaked his winning barbecue recipe from two years ago. “This year everybody is at such a higher level. I used the same recipe – a dry rub and marinade. I cooked it on the low range of acceptable (temperature),” he said.
Fallon set the alarm for every hour overnight to check the heat and moisture. How serious was Fallon in this competition? “I use apple wood chips and I have a supplier in Kentucky who sends me a bag.”
“I marinade my barbecue overnight using a dry rub and liquid mixture,” said Snow. She uses charcoal with wood chips of hickory and apple and cooks the meat the day before the competition. “I will put it in a crock pot and pull it the morning.”
Snow was asked how it was she didn’t have to tend to the barbecue cooking overnight like most of the competitors. With a grin that turned into a laugh she said, “I take off the day before.”
Competitors' barbecue was sampled in tasting cups marked by a letter with employees voting for their favorites.
Bill Roughton (Greer Relief) said, "The flavor, texture and smell made the difference."
The barbecue for employees was provided by the 11 company cookers competing and was part of CPW’s United Way campaign that is already assured of topping its 2014 goal while beating the 2013 total by 25 percent.
Jeff Tuttle, General Manager, told the associates the $15,750 goal was already surpassed with the closing date in mid-October. “We’re over $18,400 which is 25 percent better than last year,” Tuttle said. "With scrap metal donations still to come Tuttle said it is expected CPW will go over $20,000. “It has been an incredible fundraiser.”
Mark Owens, Greer Chamber President/CEO, said he prepared for the cook-off by "watching some food shows. I looked up some words and have a cheat sheet of terminology."
CPW BBQ Cook-Off Champions
2014
Judges champion – Bruce Fallon
Employees choice – Fredia Snow
2013
Keith Pittman
2012
Bruce Fallon
2014 CPW Cookers
Reece Banks
Glenn Downey
Rusty Edwards
Bruce Fallon
Jeremy Gossett
Heath Pittman
Robert Rhodes
Fredia Snow
Bruce Yerkus