Big City Chefs To Face-Off In Bubby’s BBQ Challenge In Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Bubby’s Cook-Off, Philly’s premier barbecue and bourbon event, returns to the streets of Newtown on June 13 after a four-year absence.

In 2013, Rabbi Yudy Shemtov and Lubavitch of Bucks County hosted the first cook-off at the Glazier Jewish Center featuring a BBQ face-off between Philadelphia and Brooklyn-based chefs. In the following years, the event grew into one of the region's premier barbecue and bourbon events before COVID-19 shut it down in 2020.

Shemtov is now bringing the event back to Newtown, with the 8th Annual Bubby’s Cook-Off set to take place on Tuesday, June 13 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Glazier Jewish Center, located at 25 North State Street.

The interactive charity event is focused on raising funds to extend a helping hand to children with special needs, involving them in a full range of social experiences.

The event will see four award-winning chefs from Philadelphia and New York face off against each other, including James Beard-nominated Chef Eli Kulp of High Street on Market, Chef Darryl Harmon of Amina, Chef Chad Rosenthal of The Lucky Well, and Brooklyn Brisket King Ari White. Alex and Yana Zhitomirsky, as well as Joe and Johanna DiMedio, will act as dinner co-chairs, and Fred Beans and Diana and Erik Cohen will present awards.

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Judges include Tuffy Stone from TV’s BBQ Pitmasters, as well as food, wine, and travel writer Brian Freedman, along with Bucks County-based national food writer Debra Wallace.

“We’re so grateful for all of the chefs and judges, as well as everyone participating in this incredible event that we are beyond excited to have back after three years off,” said Shemtov. “It’s going to be a fun, delicious night with some incredibly talented chefs and our wonderful guests. It’s difficult to find better BBQ around here than what you get at the Cook-Off.”

Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be bourbon and whiskey-paired BBQ tastings and an awards ceremony, including delicious appetizers prepared by the chefs and pitmasters themselves alongside original drinks from the outdoor bar. Guests can watch as chefs BBQ off a 24-foot kosher BBQ truck in the center of the gala area. At 7:45 p.m., there will be special charcuterie and dessert presentations.

Individual tickets cost $250 apiece and premium tickets begin at $300 and up. Attire is casual cocktail. Tickets can be purchased here.

For more information on Lubavitch of Bucks County, visit http://jewishcenter.info.