UNION GAP, WA (BBQ CRITIC): Pit 71 pitmaster, Edgar Hargrow, just won a Grand Champion at the 2024 Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series in Union Gap, WA., This World Food Championships (WFC) sanctioned event was a very positive experience for him.
"Union Gap was our first time cooking at a WFC event," said Hargrow. "It was an awesome experience - a very fun cook and well ran."
This fun cook was a successful one!
Hargrow's love for BBQ started when growing up with his grandmother who he calls QUEEN OF THE GRILL. "She loved being out there cooking, and I loved eating the food."
This memory stayed with him and he later decided to get involved in BBQ competitions.
When Hargrow saw a competitor from the Portland, OR area on the BBQ Pitmasters TV show, he started looking into competing. "I found the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association (PNWBA). I went to see a comp in person, met awesome people and knew I was in love and wanted to do it!"
The Pit 71 team consists of Edgar and Chelsea Hargrow and her dad, Dan Schlenker and brother Blaine Schenker. This is the teams 3rd year in competition BBQ and now they have discovered WFC to showcase their food.
"Union Gap was our first time cooking at a WFC event," said Hargrow. "It was an awesome experience - a very fun cook and well ran."
This fun cook was a successful one!
Hargrow's love for BBQ started when growing up with his grandmother who he calls QUEEN OF THE GRILL. "She loved being out there cooking, and I loved eating the food."
This memory stayed with him and he later decided to get involved in BBQ competitions.
When Hargrow saw a competitor from the Portland, OR area on the BBQ Pitmasters TV show, he started looking into competing. "I found the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association (PNWBA). I went to see a comp in person, met awesome people and knew I was in love and wanted to do it!"
The Pit 71 team consists of Edgar and Chelsea Hargrow and her dad, Dan Schlenker and brother Blaine Schenker. This is the teams 3rd year in competition BBQ and now they have discovered WFC to showcase their food.
THE CHICKEN
Hargow described his chicken as Smoked Chicken Legs with a BBQ glaze recipe of orange marmalade, brown sugar and other spices. "The chicken cook went very well for us," said Hargrow. " We ended up taking 1st place in Chicken. With my kids and some family around I did not get to try a piece, but I could tell we hit the mark!"
TOP 3 CHICKEN WINNERS
1 Edgar Hargrow (Pit 71)
2 Evan Wiederspohn (Gladiator BBQ)
3 Mark Scott (Scott's Smokin Squad)
2 Evan Wiederspohn (Gladiator BBQ)
3 Mark Scott (Scott's Smokin Squad)
THE RIBS
Hargrow described his ribs as Sweet Smoked BBQ Ribs with a touch of vinegar and heat on the backend. "Ribs went well for us also. We ended up taking 3rd overall in ribs. I thought they were spot on!"
TOP 3 RIB WINNERS
1 Chris Schnautz (Daddy and Me BBQ)
2 Evan Wiederspohn (Gladiator BBQ)
3 Edgar Hargrow (Pit 71)
2 Evan Wiederspohn (Gladiator BBQ)
3 Edgar Hargrow (Pit 71)
THE SILVER PLATTER
(Wild Card)
This is BBQ Critic's favorite category to judge. The Silver Platter (Wild Card) is like opening a box of chocolates. Forrest Gump would love this because "you never what you're going to get!"
n the case of Hargrow, he turned in what he calls Dessert Hushpuppies. This is a Smoked Bread Pudding dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried, topped with a Pecan Praline sauce and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
n the case of Hargrow, he turned in what he calls Dessert Hushpuppies. This is a Smoked Bread Pudding dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried, topped with a Pecan Praline sauce and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Hargrow said, "The judges all seemed to enjoy our dish. They asked questions such as: Where did you come up with this dish? What was used in the Praline Sauce? We took 2nd in the Wild Card so it must have been pretty good!"
TOP 3 WILD CARD
1 Shawn Niles (Fat Legacy)
2 Edgar Hargrow (Pit 71)
3 Mark Scott (Scott's Smokin Squad)
2 Edgar Hargrow (Pit 71)
3 Mark Scott (Scott's Smokin Squad)
The public part of the event allowed the team to interact with the people who simply love BBQ. Hargrow said, "It was an amazing experience and awesome turnout by the public. It was so awesome that we all ran out of Chicken WIngs to serve them!
THE GRAND CHAMPION
"Winning our very first GC (Grand Championship) at a Famous Dave's cook meant a lot! We do plan on attending WFC this fall." said Hargrow. "We are trying to network with people in the Indianapolis area to borrow some equipment to use. Being all the way in WA state we are not going to drive over, but fly in. "
Congrats to Evan Wiederspohn (Gladiator BBQ) for winning the Reserve Grand Champion and Shawn Niles (Fat Legacy) for the People's Choice. Congrats to all who competed at this contest and participated in all the fun. "Famous Dave" himself said in his Facebook post, "Congratulations to the Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que of America All-Star BBQ Series winners in UNION GAP!"
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THE GOLDEN TICKET
In addition to the team's share of the $5000 prize purse, the Grand Champion and the Reserve Grand Champion winners take home the GOLDEN TICKET to compete in the 2024 World Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis, Nov. 8 - 12, 2024. Fun times ahead!
IN SUMMARY
Hargrow concludes, "Overall we had a great time. Very well ran competition and an awesome staff at the restaurant. 'Famous' Dave Anderson himself was there and it was really cool getting to talk with him about BBQ, competition and things he is doing currently. Definitely wanting to cook another one of these events!"
You can find PIT 71 on Instagram @Pit_71_bbq
This is an exciting time to get involved with WFC via the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series. Whether you are a BBQ fan looking for the ultimate celebration of barbecue; or a pitmaster looking to compete in the next great competition, this is the place for you .
The Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series is BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!
Herb Kane
BBQ CRITIC
You can find PIT 71 on Instagram @Pit_71_bbq
This is an exciting time to get involved with WFC via the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series. Whether you are a BBQ fan looking for the ultimate celebration of barbecue; or a pitmaster looking to compete in the next great competition, this is the place for you .
The Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series is BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!
Herb Kane
BBQ CRITIC
Photo Courtesy, Famous Dave Anderson
FAMOUS DAVE'S
All-Star BBQ Series Info
When you come to a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series, it takes place right at a Famous Dave's restaurant. What's really cool is it's open to the general public. What can you expect? This is fun part!
Not only will you get a chance to watch celebrity pitmasters go head-to-head with other BBQ All-Stars, you can look forward to the following:
* FREE Entry
* FREE BBQ WINGS (while they last!).
* FREE Pepsi
* Meet Famous Dave Anderson (only at select dates)
* Much, much more!
So bring your family and friends to join in this CELEBRATION OF BBQ! Come to a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you!
Not only will you get a chance to watch celebrity pitmasters go head-to-head with other BBQ All-Stars, you can look forward to the following:
* FREE Entry
* FREE BBQ WINGS (while they last!).
* FREE Pepsi
* Meet Famous Dave Anderson (only at select dates)
* Much, much more!
So bring your family and friends to join in this CELEBRATION OF BBQ! Come to a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you!
For a complete list of locations, go here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
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