Smoking hot barbecues or human beings?
Published:Thursday | June 16, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Emma Sharp Dalton-Brown, Contributor
During the spurt of cold, wet and windy days this month, the think tank behind the All Jamaica Grill-off, Craig Powell, and his mighty mignons, must have all been chanting "Rain rain go away, come again another day." Well, they certainly got what they prayed for last Sunday, when the sun did shine over Hope Gardens. What they didn't bank on was the accompanying humbling humidity!
Competitors who were lucky enough to draw a booth back in the shady areas were cruising free as far as teams Nasha's Grillers and HomeChefs were concerned. But who really picked the short straw was BBQ Nation, as their pink flesh, their beef, pork and chicken sweltered and seared in the burning flames of sun and grill. Meanwhile, Wealth Grillers led by team captain Don Creary, sponsored by Wealth Magazine, while working hard to send out their meats and fish to the judges, were also serving foil pouches of spicy steamed conch and okra to those who had bagged a cocktail table nearby. Did it help that they had constructed a magnificent shaded facility to accommodate themselves and many patrons of the event?
The efforts made by teams this year to construct beautiful booths were varied. The rest of the best included those of Western Grillers, DGS Grillers and, of course, Walkerswood, who was also one of the sponsors. Speaking of sponsors' stalls, Reggae Jammin and Appleton were eye-popping.
Powell outdid himself this time around, as patrons flooded in with friends and families, and visiting members of the Jamaican diaspora graced the event with their presence. Even a few Montegonians fought to get their 'visas' to enter the capital for the day! We hear that when interviewed for acceptance, their reply was, "The All Jamaica Grill-Off is the event of the year. We must be there." This was no lie. The food flowed from booths until it was time for the winners to be announced.
Waiting in trepidation, the teams gathered to hear whose efforts were deserving to be called 'Kings of the Grill 2011'. It was no surprise to learn that Reserve Grand Champions this year are Wealth Magazine's Wealth Grillers, and the Grand Champions are indeed Western Grillers. Thank you, teams, for the smoking hot barbecues, but perhaps no thanks to the heavens for the smoking hot human beings!