The Silver Platter (Wild Card) entry from Uncle Jesse's BBQ, (Photo Courtesy, Famous Dave Anderson)
LAS VEGAS,NV (BBQ CRITIC) - Congrats to UNCLE JESSE'S BBQ for winning the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series in Las Vegas, NV. Pitmaster, Nate Benson, is from American Fork, Utah, and that's where he fell in love with barbecue.
"I fell in love with BBQ the first time I tasted pulled pork cooked by one of Utah's premiere pitmasters, Fidel Astorga. It made me realize what good BBQ is and made me want to learn how to cook BBQ"
Nate's mother was his main inspiration in teaching him how to love to cook. "She was a great cook and made sure I had plenty of opportunities to cook...My mom used to tell me I should find a competition and enter it."
In 2016, his mother passed away, and in 2017 he started competing. I am sure that made his mother smile in Heaven. "We have been competing regularly since then. Most of our competitions are in the Steak Cookoff Association," said Nate.
"I fell in love with BBQ the first time I tasted pulled pork cooked by one of Utah's premiere pitmasters, Fidel Astorga. It made me realize what good BBQ is and made me want to learn how to cook BBQ"
Nate's mother was his main inspiration in teaching him how to love to cook. "She was a great cook and made sure I had plenty of opportunities to cook...My mom used to tell me I should find a competition and enter it."
In 2016, his mother passed away, and in 2017 he started competing. I am sure that made his mother smile in Heaven. "We have been competing regularly since then. Most of our competitions are in the Steak Cookoff Association," said Nate.
Nate and Miriam Benson (Uncle Jesse's BBQ)
Nate's team, UNCLE JESSE'S BBQ, is made up of him and his wife, Miriam Benson. They decided this year to enter the FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES, sanctioned by the World Food Championships (WFC). They are no strangers to WFC.
In 2021, the team competed at the World Food Championships and won 7th place in the Steak category. Nate said, "We really love the creativity and plating opportunities that come with the WFC. That was the main reason we wanted to compete in the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series."
Compete they did and they won! Here is the rundown on all their food.
In 2021, the team competed at the World Food Championships and won 7th place in the Steak category. Nate said, "We really love the creativity and plating opportunities that come with the WFC. That was the main reason we wanted to compete in the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series."
Compete they did and they won! Here is the rundown on all their food.
THE CHICKEN
The team decided to cook CHICKEN LOLLIPOPS. "We seasoned with HEY GRILL HEY and DB180 rubs. They are awesome sponsors and friends of ours. We glazed it in our own signature homemade sauce. Our description was chicken lollipops glazed in a tomato based sauce."
Nate said the cook took longer than expected and they had to rush it. Though they did not feel the greatest about their turn in, the team nailed 1st PLACE in CHICKEN!
Nate said the cook took longer than expected and they had to rush it. Though they did not feel the greatest about their turn in, the team nailed 1st PLACE in CHICKEN!
TOP 3 CHICKEN WINNERS
1 Benson Nate (Uncle Jesse's BBQ)
2 Barr Travis (All Up In My Grill BBQ)
3 Johnson Phil (Phil the grill)
1 Benson Nate (Uncle Jesse's BBQ)
2 Barr Travis (All Up In My Grill BBQ)
3 Johnson Phil (Phil the grill)
THE RIBS
Nate said they felt really good about their rib cook. "We smoked our ribs until they had the perfect bite on them. They were also seasoned with HEY GRILL HEY and DB180 rubs. We finished them with our peach chipotle glaze."
Uncle Jesse's BBQ nailed a 2nd place win!
Uncle Jesse's BBQ nailed a 2nd place win!
TOP 3 RIBS WINNERS
1 Dunyon Chris (SinBin BBQ)
2 Benson Nate (Uncle Jesse's BBQ)
3 Barr Travis (All Up In My Grill BBQ)
THE SILVER PLATTER
(Wild Card)
Here we go! BBQ CRITIC's favorite category. They called their Wild Card a LAS VEGAS SURF AND TURF. I was rather shocked when he gave the description.
Nate said, "It was a CREEKSTONE FARMS Tomahawk Prime Ribeye Steak, and a Charred Octopus Salad finished with a Limoncello Vinaigrette. When we were thinking about what we wanted to present, we wanted to do something special that showed elements that you do not see every day in BBQ."
Nate said, "It was a CREEKSTONE FARMS Tomahawk Prime Ribeye Steak, and a Charred Octopus Salad finished with a Limoncello Vinaigrette. When we were thinking about what we wanted to present, we wanted to do something special that showed elements that you do not see every day in BBQ."
You absolutely do not see Octopus at any BBQ contest. This was one original dish. WFC opens it up nicely for cooks to be creative and unique. This Wild Card entry is a great example of doing just that, and the team nailed a 1st place win!
TOP 3 WILD CARD WINNERS
1 Benson Nate (Uncle Jesse's BBQ)
2 Johnson Phil (Phil the grill)
3 Dunyon Chris (SinBin BBQ)
1 Benson Nate (Uncle Jesse's BBQ)
2 Johnson Phil (Phil the grill)
3 Dunyon Chris (SinBin BBQ)
Uncle Jesse's BBQ won 1st Place WILD CARD, 1st Place CHICKEN and over-all GRAND CHAMPION!
The Wild Card peaked my curiosity so much, I had to reach out to Famous Dave Anderson himself (who was a judge at the Las Vegas event) to get his thoughts on this particular Wild Card turn-in.
Famous Dave said, "They did a great job on the Octopus. Very flavorful. and if I remember it was smokey and charred beautifully! Octopus properly prepared is very tasty."
Famous Dave said, "They did a great job on the Octopus. Very flavorful. and if I remember it was smokey and charred beautifully! Octopus properly prepared is very tasty."
Famous Dave Anderson (and other judges) judge the Wild Card from Uncle Jesse's BBQ.
"I was actually happy to see the Octopus. It demonstrates the width of creative recipe development by these Pitmasters, which makes this competition event a lot more interesting than your usual BBQ turn-in boxes." - FAMOUS DAVE ANDERSON
One of the highlights for Nate at this contest was to actually meet Dave. "Meeting Famous Dave Anderson was so incredible. I loved how he was so willing to give us honest feedback. He was just a real person and talking to him, you could tell he loves BBQ and wants creativity and identity to shine through in the way we cook."
"The way the competition was run was incredible. The event and restaurant staff always made us feel welcome and took care of us." - NATE BENSON
The contest did not go without challenges for the team. At one point there was a miscommunication regarding the clarification on some of the rules. Nate said, "We found out the clarification we had received was incorrect and had to re-strategize in the car travelling down. We had some grill issues during the competition. Also, the heat and wind made the competition difficult."
Despite running into a few obstacles, the team did not let that stand in the way of achieving success, and they had a great time doing it.
"It was really fun interacting with the public while we were cooking," Nate said. "We continually had people around watching us, asking questions, and taking pictures while we were cooking. This was honestly one of my favorite events I have ever cooked at. We need more events like this and I plan on making it an annual event."
Despite running into a few obstacles, the team did not let that stand in the way of achieving success, and they had a great time doing it.
"It was really fun interacting with the public while we were cooking," Nate said. "We continually had people around watching us, asking questions, and taking pictures while we were cooking. This was honestly one of my favorite events I have ever cooked at. We need more events like this and I plan on making it an annual event."
You can find Nate on Instagram @UJBBQ and Facebook @UJBBQUtah and @nate.benson.96930.
THE GOLDEN TICKET
GRAND CHAMPION winner Nate Benson (Uncle Jesse's BBQ) and RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION Barr Travis (All Up In My Grill BBQ) not only take home their share of the $5000 purse, but both teams receive a GOLDEN TICKET to compete at the WFC Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis, IN (Nov 8-12, 2024). Good luck to all!
Special congrats to Samantha Haas (Central Cali Smokers) for winning the PEOPLE'S CHOICE. Samantha's Chicken Wings must have been delicious!
FINAL THOUGHTS
My final thoughts are still lingering on that Octopus Wild Card, and how creative Uncle Jesse's BBQ was in delivering something really unique to the judges.
The World Food Championships continues to grow, and I encourage my fellow BBQ judge friends to go online and get trained as a WFC judge and check out the JUDGING PROCESS. I also encourage all my cook friends to consider entering a WFC sanctioned event such as the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series. You will enjoy the creativity encouraged at WFC competitions.
While writing this column, I was munching on my all-time favorite pickles - Famous Dave's Sweet & Spicy PICKLE CHIPS. I love, love, love these pickles! They have been in my life for a long, long time.
The World Food Championships continues to grow, and I encourage my fellow BBQ judge friends to go online and get trained as a WFC judge and check out the JUDGING PROCESS. I also encourage all my cook friends to consider entering a WFC sanctioned event such as the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series. You will enjoy the creativity encouraged at WFC competitions.
While writing this column, I was munching on my all-time favorite pickles - Famous Dave's Sweet & Spicy PICKLE CHIPS. I love, love, love these pickles! They have been in my life for a long, long time.
Be watching for more Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series coverage and I will also be releasing some more cool stories from last year's events.
This Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event in Las Vegas, NV is BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!
Herb Kane
BBQ CRITIC
This Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event in Las Vegas, NV is BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!
Herb Kane
BBQ CRITIC
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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