Bannockburn decided to throw a party and its neighbors arrived to help celebrate a barbeque contest Saturday at the Bannockburn Green shopping Center.

A quorum of the Deerfield Village Board—Mayor Harriet Rosenthal along with Trustees Robert Benton, Mary Oppenheim and Barbara Struthers—was there competing for cooking honors along with representatives from Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and Riverwoods.

Earlier: Bannockburn Hosts Barbeque Cook Off Saturday

Judging was even bipartisan. Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) and West Deerfield Supervisor Julie Morrison, a Democrat, were two of the four judges along with Trinity International University official Ryan Finnelly and Lake County Board Member Ann Maine.

While the judges picked Lake Forest’s chefs in three of five categories, the individuals who voted after tasting the entries chose Riverwoods’ food as the finest in the area.

Bruce Schlesinger, the person most responsible for cooking Riverwoods pork and brisket, explained temperature was the key to the taste.

“See that pink ring,” Schlesinger said pointing to the pork. “All the flavor is in the pink. You must have the temperature under 220 degrees or you’re just baking.”

Lake Forest was the judge’s choice for its overall effort, best brisket and best pulled pork. Lake Bluff was champion for best ribs and side dish.

For Bannockburn Village Manager Maria Lasday, the event was an effort to build relationships with neighboring communities and enjoy a nice early autumn day.

“We want to let the people know that the road widening project has been completed along Route 22 and Waukegan Road, except for landscaping,” Lasday said. “We also want to bring communities together in a strictly social capacity.”