We are the Champions!

This installment of A chef's musings will be a bit  of a departure from my normal fare.
Last weekend I had the honor and privilege to be part of a history making event, the inaugural Grill Fest in downtown Minneapolis sponsored by Minnesota Monthly magazine.


My good friends Kristy and Jon Bialk are the owners of Willingham's BBQ  and asked yours truly to be part of their team for the weekend.


 Please visit them at www.willinghamsbbq.com.

Although I was unable to attend on Saturday due to a previous engagement, the team presented the judging panel with a take on the BBQ classic plate of pork, beans and slaw by putting in a tortilla and inventing Tennessee tacos which was received so well that they won the day and were advanced to the championship round on Sunday. On Sunday Chef Eric Simpson from Hazeltine National Golf Course, Jon Bialk, Jim Dehnke, and myself prepared to do battle with the remaining team and the elements as it turned COLD(at times we were able to see our breath). Our meat for the day was, once again, pork tenderloin. Not a team to rest on our laurels, Chef Eric suggested a revamp of Saturdays offering by giving it an Asian twist, so with the addition of rice seasoned with Willingham's W'ham seasoning, we presented Memphis Mu Shu in a Chinese take out container.





Apparently the combination was good enough as the judges voted us Grand Champions!

Ladies and Gentlemen the 2012 Minnesota Monthly Grill Fest Grand champions !