Arts & Entertainment
Top Choice At Wildomar Rotary BBQ Rib Fest
The Wildomar Rotary-sponsored event offered participants the "seasoned best," from Grill Masters to musicians.
Atomic buffalo turds, moink balls and Will Ferrell’s dad made the Wildomar Rotary BBQ Rib Fest at Elsinore High School the hottest ticket in town Saturday.
As temperatures soared, the fun-filled culinary affair fired up, offering visitors samplings of 11 participating grill teams who cooked up pork ribs, beef ribs, and “butt” (the anything goes category).
Wildomar Rotary President Henry Sylvestre said the Grill Master teams competed in each of the three categories, but the event was more fun than serious.
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“Although this is not a sanctioned grilling event, the participants here today are members of professional BBQ teams that compete regularly on the circuit,” Sylvestre explained.
Rookie grillers Dan Householder of Fallbrook and Wildomar resident Leo Lopez were bragging on Facebook about their BBQ mastery, and showed up Saturday to put their words to the test. They competed with a smoking 6.5 lb. entry of a woven bacon, sausage, jalapeno and cheddar chub.
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“We decided to see how we would fare,” Lopez said.
Local contender Big Daddy (Aaron) Black of Meat, Inc. proudly grilled up some atomic buffalo turds – (bacon-wrapped cream cheese-filled jalapenos) and moink balls (bacon-wrapped ground beef meatballs).
“These recipes are no secret. I maintain meatinc.blogspot.com so that all can do at home,” Black said.
Last year’s rookie grillers T&J’s and Left Coast Q’s banned together Saturday, and Texas Marshall’s Grill Masters hoped to win the anything goes category with cream cheese-filled fruit laden strawberries.
The good BBQ was matched by top-notch entertainment. On the main stage, the Richard Torres Friends Band performed at the request of barbequing friend Art of Meteor BBQ. Drummer Richard Torres explained, “We used to perform together at Art’s nightclubs and today was a chance for us to get together.”
The five-member band is comprised of seasoned musical talent, including former Righteous Brothers band mates, and keyboardist and vocalist Lee Ferrell, father of the famous comedic actor Will Ferrell.
Proceeds from today’s BBQ Rib Fest will fund future Wildomar Rotary events, ranging from community service projects to public events, according to Wildomar Rotary President-Elect Paul Bakeman.
The BBQ Rib Fest was held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and also featured 30 vendors.
