Kelly Magni and Ted Turgeon of the Southwick TAC team return a rack of pork ribs to the smoker after basting last year at the annual Grill’n Daze barbeque competition sponsored by the Southwick Rotary Club. The TAC team took second for their beef entry. (File photo ©2012 Carl E. Hartdegen)
SOUTHWICK – Just as the heat wave is set to break this weekend, Southwick will be hotter than ever – and probably smoky, too – at the Rotary Club’s annual Grill’n Daze BBQ and Chili competition this Sunday at the Southwick Recreation Center. With more than a dozen entrants in three different BBQ categories plus the chili cook-off, participants are sure to find something that gets their temperature rising. This year, organizer Robert Fox said the day begins with a vintage baseball game between the Westfield Wheelmen and Southwick volunteers at 1 p.m. Live entertainment from Jack & His Guitar begins at noon, followed by the Charlie Galvin Band from 2-6 p.m. A magician and other vendors will round out the activities. The stars of the show, of course, are the grilled delicacies the teams will offer for judging and sampling.
“Expect a lot of food!” said Fox. “And the weather should cooperate – they say the heat will drop back just in time.”
Fox is a bit of a BBQ connoisseur. A member of the New England BBQ Society, Fox knows what he likes when it comes to seasonings, sauces and heat. However, Fox said he will not be a judge. Instead, a panel of six judges will rate the offerings in four categories: Chili; Poultry; Pork; and Beef.
Bob Oleksak of the Smokey O’s team, sponsored by the Butcher Block of Westfield, grills chicken last year at the annual Grill’n Daze barbeque competition sponsored by the Southwick Rotary Club. The Smokey O’s took third place for the chicken and also for their chili but took first place for their pork entry. (File photo ©2012 Carl E. Hartdegen)
Nationally certified judges from Connecticut will start things off with the chili round. Other certified judges and local celebrities, including state representatives Nicholas Boldyga and Donald Humason, State Sen. Michael Knapik, Police Chief David Ricardi and Fire Chief Richard Anderson, will help decide which team brought the best dishes.
Fox said one of the teams to beat is last year’s champs the Fat Dawgs, along with the Congamond Flying Pigs, who took a first place prize last year, team TAC, and perennial favorite Bam Bam’s.
While BBQ competitions can be a serious contest, Southwick’s Grill’n Daze is also seriously fun.
“It’s actually a lot of fun,” said Fox. “It’s a family event.”
This year’s competition takes place across the road from the Fireman’s Carnival, which is set to have a car show Sunday.
“Hopefully our events will complement each other,” said Fox.
Winners receive $2,000 in cash prizes, covered by entry fees and sponsors. Fox said the Cultural Council this year sponsored entertainment.
There is no admission to Grill’n Daze. Each team will offer samples for a donation and the recreation center will have a beer garden. The chili judging is a 2 p.m., poultry at 3 p.m., pork at 4 p.m., and beef at 5 p.m. For more information, visit grillindaze.com.
