FRESNO, CA (BBQ CRITIC) - Ryan Pang (Old Greenwood BBQ) is the second team to win a 2025 Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que of America All-Star BBQ Series this time in Fresno, CA (May 31). Pang has an impressive culinary background in Food Sport and business.
Old Greenwood BBQ is not just Pang's team name, it's the name of the restaurant he owns in Sunnyvale, CA, and he has a food truck. Pang said, "We got like a 5000 sq ft patio and a full bar. We're kind of tucked away on a little 9 hole golf course that's sunken in an old rock quarry. So you go down there and there's palm trees. It's an escape from Silicon Valley."
Pang graduated with HONORS from The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) and awarded the coveted SERVICE AWARD. This along with his experience as a Professional Private Chef and an Award Winning BBQ Pitmaster gives him a solid foundation from which he can work.
Sanctioned by the World Food Championships (WFC) this organization encourages creativity in Food Sport making the Famous Dave's contest the perfect environment for Pang to shine. He had a lot to say about his turn-ins. Let's start with chicken...
Old Greenwood BBQ is not just Pang's team name, it's the name of the restaurant he owns in Sunnyvale, CA, and he has a food truck. Pang said, "We got like a 5000 sq ft patio and a full bar. We're kind of tucked away on a little 9 hole golf course that's sunken in an old rock quarry. So you go down there and there's palm trees. It's an escape from Silicon Valley."
Pang graduated with HONORS from The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) and awarded the coveted SERVICE AWARD. This along with his experience as a Professional Private Chef and an Award Winning BBQ Pitmaster gives him a solid foundation from which he can work.
Sanctioned by the World Food Championships (WFC) this organization encourages creativity in Food Sport making the Famous Dave's contest the perfect environment for Pang to shine. He had a lot to say about his turn-ins. Let's start with chicken...
CHICKEN
"We turned in SMOKED CHICKEN BALLOTINE with green curry forcemeat inside with Mangos and Serrano," said Pang. "We served a Crispy Chicken Skin with a Mango Salad on it. I was trying to give judges something OUT-OF-THE-BOX, something that was more refreshing than just meat."
Speaking of boxes, the WFC switched from Styrofoam turn-in boxes to all Silver Platters. Pang said, "It was much better they moved it all to platters." Now all cooks can have this OUT-OF-THE-BOX experience, capturing the attention of WFC judges. It's a beautiful change!
Pang continues, "We smoked it to about 155 F and then we glazed it until it reached 175 F and sliced it into medallions. Brushed some Mango Balsamic on it and had the other glaze on the outside."
This chicken platter earned a 2nd place win!
Speaking of boxes, the WFC switched from Styrofoam turn-in boxes to all Silver Platters. Pang said, "It was much better they moved it all to platters." Now all cooks can have this OUT-OF-THE-BOX experience, capturing the attention of WFC judges. It's a beautiful change!
Pang continues, "We smoked it to about 155 F and then we glazed it until it reached 175 F and sliced it into medallions. Brushed some Mango Balsamic on it and had the other glaze on the outside."
This chicken platter earned a 2nd place win!
RIBS
"We did an ASIAN CHAR SIU RIB," said Pang. It had a char siu barbecue sauce and five-spice, and we spritzed it with a Shaoxing Wine (almost tastes like sherry wine). We served that with a Spicy Peanut Slaw. It was super cherry red, a different kind of flavor."
A Fortune Cookie came on every plate. When Famous Dave Anderson came around after judging, Pang asked, "How did you like the one with the Fortune cookie?" Dave responded, "Oh! Oh! I saved my fortune! Hold on!" Dave pulled it out of his wallet and they read it.
A Fortune Cookie came on every plate. When Famous Dave Anderson came around after judging, Pang asked, "How did you like the one with the Fortune cookie?" Dave responded, "Oh! Oh! I saved my fortune! Hold on!" Dave pulled it out of his wallet and they read it.
Photo Courtesy, Famous Dave Anderson
Pang adds, "We were thinking about using tweezers and stuffing our own fortunes in there, but we didn't."
Now that is a fun idea! If it was me, I might put a message in every Fortune Cookie that read: "You will judge awesome barbecue at every contest! Your lucky numbers for this platter are 10 10 10."
Pang's Rib platter came in 1st Place. No custom-made Fortune Cookie message needed for this win!
Now that is a fun idea! If it was me, I might put a message in every Fortune Cookie that read: "You will judge awesome barbecue at every contest! Your lucky numbers for this platter are 10 10 10."
Pang's Rib platter came in 1st Place. No custom-made Fortune Cookie message needed for this win!
WILD CARD
"We did a trio of wagyu beef flap meat and called it WAGYU FROM AROUND THE WORLD."
This is one of the most creative Wild Card platters I have seen as a World Food Championships E.A.T. Certified judge. Usually we see a sweet dessert, but once again Pang steps OUT-OF-THE-BOX and takes a different, creative route.
Now it's time for the WFC judges to go on a worldwide culinary trip. Each judge plate has three samples representing three countries including Mexico, America and Asia. This is where Pang really begins to shine.
MEXICO
"First off was Mexico." Pang said. "The meat was Carne Asada flavored. I took some Avocados, smashed it smooth. We took some diced Jicama and marinated it in taco seasoning and Tajin. We mixed that into the Avocado. There is no seasoning or any flavor besides just the Avocado, so the flavor from the Jicama and the stretch spices really picked up."
This Avocado fusion really sounds delicious!
Pang continued, "We put that into a ring mold and placed Pico De Gallo on top. Then we put the Carne Asada flavored steak (seared HOT & FAST) and added pickles, red onions, serrano and micro cilantro."
Man, I bet this was one smooth tasting and festive dish.
AMERICA
"The center was America which was meat and potatoes. Fingerling Potatoes and Blistered Cherry Tomatoes were pan cooked over an open fire, said Pang. "The meat was rubbed with a black charcoal rub and a Huckleberry Balsamic. I made a Huckleberry flavored demi-glace. Then we put crispy roasted Oyster Mushrooms on top."
The color on this screams beef! Oh how I would love to dig my fork into this one. Definitely makes America proud!
ASIA
"The third dish we went to Asia," said Pang. "I used all the trimming side pieces from the flap meat and made like a Mongolian Beef. We cooked that right in a wok and right on the screaming hot coals! In Chinese it's called a fire-cooked aroma."
Well this American thinks the aroma and taste from all three representations would have been amazing. Pang's creative culinary skills, paying attention to detail and making a unique set of flavors is what drove this dish to a 1st Place win.
FANTASTIC job, Ryan Pang!
This is one of the most creative Wild Card platters I have seen as a World Food Championships E.A.T. Certified judge. Usually we see a sweet dessert, but once again Pang steps OUT-OF-THE-BOX and takes a different, creative route.
Now it's time for the WFC judges to go on a worldwide culinary trip. Each judge plate has three samples representing three countries including Mexico, America and Asia. This is where Pang really begins to shine.
MEXICO
"First off was Mexico." Pang said. "The meat was Carne Asada flavored. I took some Avocados, smashed it smooth. We took some diced Jicama and marinated it in taco seasoning and Tajin. We mixed that into the Avocado. There is no seasoning or any flavor besides just the Avocado, so the flavor from the Jicama and the stretch spices really picked up."
This Avocado fusion really sounds delicious!
Pang continued, "We put that into a ring mold and placed Pico De Gallo on top. Then we put the Carne Asada flavored steak (seared HOT & FAST) and added pickles, red onions, serrano and micro cilantro."
Man, I bet this was one smooth tasting and festive dish.
AMERICA
"The center was America which was meat and potatoes. Fingerling Potatoes and Blistered Cherry Tomatoes were pan cooked over an open fire, said Pang. "The meat was rubbed with a black charcoal rub and a Huckleberry Balsamic. I made a Huckleberry flavored demi-glace. Then we put crispy roasted Oyster Mushrooms on top."
The color on this screams beef! Oh how I would love to dig my fork into this one. Definitely makes America proud!
ASIA
"The third dish we went to Asia," said Pang. "I used all the trimming side pieces from the flap meat and made like a Mongolian Beef. We cooked that right in a wok and right on the screaming hot coals! In Chinese it's called a fire-cooked aroma."
Well this American thinks the aroma and taste from all three representations would have been amazing. Pang's creative culinary skills, paying attention to detail and making a unique set of flavors is what drove this dish to a 1st Place win.
FANTASTIC job, Ryan Pang!
GOLDEN TICKET
Congrats to Ryan Pang (Old Greenwood BBQ) for winning Grand Champion, and Michael Rojas (Me and Mom's BBQ) for winning the RESERVE GRAND and PEOPLE'S CHOICE.
In addition to their share of the $5000 prize purse, they each received a Golden Ticket to the 2025 World Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis October 16 - 19, 2025.
In addition to their share of the $5000 prize purse, they each received a Golden Ticket to the 2025 World Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis October 16 - 19, 2025.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Pang said, "All the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ series events have been really good. The giveaways and Dave being there. That's one of the biggest things is people get to see Dave."
Agreed, and it's always an honor for me when I get a chance to judge with Dave at one of these events. Dave's passion for the WFC is unwavering.
Famous Dave Anderson summed this contest up best in a recent Facebook post (see photo below): "Here I am with Harry Soo awarding Old Greenwood Barbecue Team Grand Champion and several 1st place finishes! For the second year in a row, this team has turned in really amazing creative BBQ dishes that were incredibly tasty and just plain fun to see come across our judges table. Congrats to this amazing, passionate team!" - Famous Dave Anderson.
Agreed, and it's always an honor for me when I get a chance to judge with Dave at one of these events. Dave's passion for the WFC is unwavering.
Famous Dave Anderson summed this contest up best in a recent Facebook post (see photo below): "Here I am with Harry Soo awarding Old Greenwood Barbecue Team Grand Champion and several 1st place finishes! For the second year in a row, this team has turned in really amazing creative BBQ dishes that were incredibly tasty and just plain fun to see come across our judges table. Congrats to this amazing, passionate team!" - Famous Dave Anderson.
Pang's intricate recipes and his high level of expertise, precision and artistry in cooking led him to a Grand Champion win. The World Food Championship's innovation in Food Sport helped pave a path for Pang (and others) to reach their full creative potential.
By the way, if you are in the Sunnyvale, CA area, go check out Ryan Pang's restaurant and experience his food for yourself. OLD GREENWOOD BBQ: 1010 S Wolfe Rd Sunnyvale, CA 94086. https://oldgreenwoodbbq.com/
Herb Kane
BBQ Critic
World Food Championships
E.A.T. Certified Judge
By the way, if you are in the Sunnyvale, CA area, go check out Ryan Pang's restaurant and experience his food for yourself. OLD GREENWOOD BBQ: 1010 S Wolfe Rd Sunnyvale, CA 94086. https://oldgreenwoodbbq.com/
Herb Kane
BBQ Critic
World Food Championships
E.A.T. Certified Judge
WINNERS
For full list of winners, go here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/2025-FD02-fresno
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/2025-FD02-fresno
NEXT UP!
INTERVIEW with pitmaster Marty Marlow - Grand Champion at the Colorado Springs, CO contest. Follow BBQ CRITIC on Facebook and watch for more stories on the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series!
Want to attend a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you? Click here for full schedule: https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
Want to attend a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you? Click here for full schedule: https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
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