For the love of BBQ

Smell of meat, spices, wood and smoke lures people to Riverfest
By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

In a world where battles about health-care reform and football rivalries rage, at Ingalls Harbor love reigned — the love of barbecue.
Beneath a gray-cast sky and with the threat of rain, the smell of smoke, wood, meat and spices lured barbecue lovers to the 15th annual Riverfest on Saturday.
“We love barbecue. Chicken, brisket, pork, it doesn’t matter as long as it is barbecued,” said Sharon Garner, a Decatur resident attending her first Riverfest, an event hosted by the Decatur Jaycees.
To satisfy Garner’s taste buds, approximately 70 barbecue teams from across the Southeast slaved over grills and smokers for two days.
For Rob Stephens, with the Huntsville-based Fat, Drunk and Stupid team, creating the mouth-watering meats meant no sleep.
“It takes about 10 to 12 hours for the pulled pork and briskets to cook. We put them in about midnight and Rob stays up with them,” said James Hanley, Stephens’ teammate.
With no professional experience, the four members of the team credited their barbecue talents to their upbringing.
“Learned everything about cooking from Mama’s kitchen,” Hanley said.
The Fat, Drunk and Stupid team competed in the four required categories, including chicken, brisket, ribs and pulled pork, and also the two optional categories, sauce and dessert.
Inspired by Elvis
Responsibility for creating the dessert rested with Hanley. Inspired by Elvis Presley, Hanley made the team’s fried peanut butter and banana pudding for the first time Saturday.
It is unknown whether Hanley’s mother would take credit for the innovative dessert.
As teams checked on ribs wrapped in aluminum foil and basted briskets, dozens of judges waited anxiously.
“You may have up to four and a half pounds of meat in front of you. You have to learn how to pace yourself,” said Bill Fowlkes, who attended a four-hour class to become a certified judge.
“It’s hard not to eat all of the meat at once, but at the end of the tasting, I always go back to my favorite or second-favorite dish and clean it to the bone,” added Donnie Garrison, a three-year certified judge.
On the Tennessee River around Ingalls Harbor, a handful of kayakers paddled past the barbecue Mecca in Riverfest’s first four-mile race. Adam Elliott from Natchez, Miss., won the event organized by the Morgan County Rescue Squad.
“I love paddling on the Tennessee River, dodging all of the boats and barges,” said Elliott, who competes in approximately 10 contests annually.
Kayakers not hampered
Just as the rain did not deter the cooks, the weather did not hamper the kayakers.
“It was wonderful. Anytime you are out on the water, it is wonderful,” said Randy Griffin, who finished second, five minutes behind Elliott.
Along with the raft race and the state barbecue championship, the two-day event featured a rock wall, bands and a children’s play area. All proceeds raised through admission costs and beer and soda sales will benefit local charities.
Riverfest winners
J-Mack Cookers claimed the Grand Champion award Saturday in the 15th annual Riverfest barbecue contest. Big Pig Inc. secured second place, with High on the Hog in third.
The top winners in the festival’s six categories are, from first to third place:
Chicken — Pop’s Blazin’ Smokers, JoBeaz Blazin’ Butts and Wings, Crossroads Smokers
Ribs — Smokin’ Triggers, J-Mack Cookers, Big Pig Inc.
Pork — J-Mack Cookers, Lotta Bull BBQ, Big Pig Inc.
Brisket — Cool Smoke, E.M.Azing BBQ, High on the Hog
Sauce — JoBeaz Blazin’ Butts and Wings
Dessert — Wood Chicks BBQ