Facebook Photo Gallery: Tenth Annual RibFest Tastes Success Again

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More than 400 barbecue fans came to chow down and vote on 17 different entries with names like Black Hog, Smokey Bones and Pork Place at last Saturday's Lake Bluff Barbeque Society’s 10th annual RibFest competition held on the Village Green.

Tasting the ribs was free, but to vote on them cost one dollar per vote, with 100 percent of the just-under $3,000 raised going to the Shields Township Food Pantry, According to the event’s chief judge, Lake Bluff resident Tom Zillner, the money can help the pantry provide $27,000 worth of food.

Team Workman’s Big Pig Little Pig ribs took home the Grand Champion’s four-foot-tall trophy. Their secret ingredients, according to the chefs, Rodney Workman and Brian Uihlein, both of Lake Bluff, came from guidance they received from well-known chef Todd Stoner, who helped them get started seven years ago, and Johnny Trigg, two-time barbecue world champion and a friend.

Zillner, chief judge for 10 years running, said, “We try to keep it under 26 teams, and ideally all from the community. It’s by the community, for the community. It’s not for money, but more for guys, or girls, having a good time barbecuing on a weekend.”

Team Clifford’s The Circle Jerks ribs earned The People’s Choice award – the public’s top vote – by earning 700 votes – worth $700 to the food pantry. The teammates all live on Lake Bluff’s Circle Drive. Other awards were given out, too.

Lake Bluff BBQ Society RibFest Top Five

1. Team Workman – Big Pig Little Pig
2. Team Rogers – Pork Place
3. Team Mattson – Smokey Bones
4. Team Wojda – Wholly Smoke
5. Team Nielsen – Smokey & The Pit Crew

The People’s Choice Award: Team Clifford – The Circle Jerks

Best Decorated Booth: Team Nielsen – Smokey & The Pit Crew

• See related story: VIDEO: Barbecue Masters Compete for Bragging Rights in Lake Bluff