Hungry Crowd Savors Cutchogue Fire Department Chicken BBQ: Photos

CUTCHOGUE, NY — It was the hottest ticket in town Saturday night as thousands followed the tantalizing smell and billowing smoke wafting from the grills to the Cutchogue Fire Department's 62nd Annual Chicken Barbecue.

Volunteers were busy all week preparing for the popular event; 3,600 chicken halves were barbecued for 3,000 guests.

This year's chairman was Tom Robins, but all involved have been honored to pitch in for years, at an event that means so much to the community.

John Lademann, former Chief, who's been working at the event for 59 years now, said last year that he enjoys the barbecue, which brings the community, young and old, together for good food, fun, and laughter. "We have a good time," he said.

CFD's chicken is so good, in fact, that Martha Stewart raved about it after attending in 1997 — and guests have said for years that it's the best they've ever tasted.

But don't ask for the recipe. "It's a secret sauce," Lademann has said, smiling.

Patch photos, video by Lisa Finn.