BBQ Championship and Craft Fair in Fairfield

Based on the guiding principles of religious freedom, Fairfield was settled over three hundred and seventy five years ago.

Those principles continue to flourish today. Fairfield embraces and celebrates its diversity with plethora of activities throughout the year and now on August 30 between 11AM and 5PM the Second Annual Kosher BBQ Championship & Craft Fair.

The event is hosted by Congregation Beth El located at 1200 Fairfield Woods Road in Fairfield, CT.

The event benefits many local charities, including Operation Hope, the Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation, Jewish Senior Services, Mikey’s Way, and the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield CountyFor those who love watching TV shows, such as Iron Chef and Chopped, here is a chance to attending a barbecue competition live, accompanied by live music, vendors and entertainment!

Similar competitions have been held across the USA; in Atlanta, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Memphis, Birmingham, Chicago and Kansas City but this is the only one its kind in the Northeast. Twenty-five teams from around the country will pit their BBQ skills starting Saturday at sundown and will stay up into the night until they turn in their items on Sunday morning, when it will be determined who the winners are of the best kosher BBQ brisket, beef ribs and chicken.

Being a kosher event, the fires are lit by a masgiach, who supervises the kosher status of the event. In addition, all the materials as well as the food ingredients are all provided to the contestant. The only things a contestant needs to do bring are a pop-up canopy and a killer recipe for brisket. We’re very excited with the wide ranging line up of competing teams.

It’s great that the Fairfield Fire Fighters Association will be competing. But, also competing will beThe MOB (The Mavens of BBQ). An awesome team of amateur kosher cooks and foodies obsessed with smoking some fine BBQ. Their Mission is “We’ll Make You a Brisket You Can’t Refuse”. The family-friendly event will be catered by Texas-born Pit boss Ari White, the Wandering Que, who brings years of experience with Kosher Texas BBQ. ( http://www.gotcholent.com/Hakadosh_BBQ.php). His scrumptious awarding winning barbecue dishes will be available for purchase. DJ’ing the entire event is Starlight Express and there’s also live entertainment throughout the day including The Roylety Steel Pan Band, led by Jim Royle. The group performs throughout Connecticut and in the tri-state area.

There will also be hot dog and pickle eating contests, a kid’s play-zone with inflatables, and a Craft’s Fair.Kosher BBQ competitions began twenty five years ago in Memphis, TN at Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth the oldest, Jewish Orthodox congregation in the Mid-South so that its Shabbat- and kosher-observant members could get in on the barbecue action. It now takes place in many venues around the country; in Atlanta, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Memphis, Birmingham, Chicago, Kansas City and Fairfield, CT.