The first annual Eastern Washington BBQ Championships will take place this weekend at Pybus Market in Wenatchee and three celebrity chefs from Seattle will be among the judges. The barbecue competition will begin Saturday and continue on Mother’s Day Sunday, with BBQ teams vying for bragging rights and cash prizes.
On Saturday the teams will be cooking up their best chili and sausage for the judges. Three celebrity chefs, with ties to Seattle, are among the judges. Ludger Szmania, local chef and owner of Warm Springs Inn & Winery and former owner of Szmania’s in Seattle and former executive chef of the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, Charles Ramseyer, former Executive Chef of Ray’s Boathouse in Seattle, and Jean Claude Berger, former Executive Pastry Chef at Four Seasons hotels worldwide will be on hand to check out the chili and sausages cooked by teams.
“We are thrilled the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association is holding the Eastern Washington BBQ Championship here at the Pybus Market in Wenatchee,” said Steve Robinson, event director and Executive Director of the Pybus Market. “This is the first time the event has been in Wenatchee. We are looking forward to some great competition, and some tasty barbecue. Having three celebrity chefs in our midst only adds to the excitement.”
The public can get in on the taste-testing action by purchasing samples for $1. The fun goes on all day with cooking demonstrations, live music, and a beer and brat garden for the grown-ups. Saturday’s BBQ Championship will last into the evening, from 11:00am to 9:00pm. Saturday is also the opening day for the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market, from 8:00am-1:00pm. Then on Mother’s Day Sunday families will be able to treat mom to some amazing barbecue as the competition really heats up. Both amateur and professional grill masters will be competing for cash prizes. The teams will be barbecuing pork, chicken, brisket and ribs from 11:00am to 2:30pm that day, and the public will again be able to taste the culinary creations.
Judges will hand out awards at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon.