BY KEITH LIPPOLDT

klippoldt@gbtribune.com

All of us backyard grillers like to believe that we cook up the best brisket, chicken or pulled pork. And nobody does ribs and wings better than we do at home, right?

The Pawnee County Fair is giving us the opportunity to prove ourselves July 25-26 as they host “Rollin Smoke at the Pawnee County Fair.” Sanctioned by the Rib Cook Off Association, this contest should bring out the best rib “technicians,” not only in the area, but in the world as well. 

The Rib Cook Off website says “Whether they are seasoned professionals or enthusiastic amateurs, every cook has something special to offer, and together, we can create an unforgettable experience for both participants and attendees.”

Cook Off promoter Cory Johnson says there are currently 26 people registered and expects the competition to be tough with the Top-8 ranked rib cooks in the country coming to this event. He said there will be rigs from pull-behind trailers to the Weber Kettle grills — and anything in between.

“We’ll have guys from Texas, Oklahoma, a couple guys from Nebraska, Arkansas,” Johnson said. “And then a few local guys that just want to compete. Our big guys will have their trailers and setups, and then you’ll have others with their regular grills. Everyone is here for a good time but they also want to win the $1,000.”

“Rollin Smoke” is a Rib Cook Off Association sanctioned event with more than just cash prizes on the line.

“This is a sanctioned event and it is a point chaser,” Johnson said. “The winner, if you’re registered with the Rib Cook Off Association, is qualified for the World Championship in Shawnee, Okla., in January, and also for Memphis In May — that big barbecue contest. So, yes, this is a big qualifier.”

Contestants can begin setting up Friday after 1:30. They will meet with the judges at 4 p.m. The ancillary item Friday night will be lamb chops with turn in between 6:30-7. The promoter will provide the lamb for the competitors. Awards will be presented at 7:30. The winner of the Lamb Cook Off will win $200 plus a trophy. The top four places will be awarded.

New this year is the Kids’ Grilled Cheese Cook Off. Youngsters will put together their cheesy masterpieces and compete for the $100 first-place payout plus trophy. Four places will be awarded. 

Action on Saturday begins with the cooks’ meeting at 8 a.m. with three competitions scheduled — chicken wings, plus two rib events. Each cook can compete in all three events, but must be pre-registered by Thursday, July 24.

“The rib category this year is spare ribs,” Johnson said. “Then this fall, when we have our next Cook Off, it will be spare ribs and baby backs.”

The cooks will bring their own unseasoned chicken wings, if they choose to compete in the wing contest, and pork ribs to the competition. 

“Chicken wings is also now a World qualifier,” Johnson said. “They added that this year. It is a points chase event. You bring your own chicken wings, and you cook them the way you think are the best. I’ve got a lady that’s coming from Wichita that’s never done it. She’s going to enter the wing contest.”

There will be two competitions for the ribs. Turn in for Rib A is 1-1:30 p.m. and 2-2:30 p.m. for Rib B. Awards will be announced at 3:30.

The payout is big for the ribs with the winners receiving $1,000 plus a trophy, as well as an invitation to the world events. Payout will be spread to the Top-10 finishers.

If you want to participate in the contest but don’t feel you have the cooking skills to compete, Johnson says you can sign up to judge the events.

“Anybody’s welcome to come and judge,” he said. “You don’t have to be certified. You’ll take a class right before judging, and then they’ll tell you how to judge it. But heck, if you want to come judge, you can come sit in the class and judge the events.”

Everyone appreciates a good barbecue and Johnson guarantees this will be a good event and a good time.

“I invite you to come out and have a good time and enjoy some ribs,” he said. “I mean, heck, most of these guys, you walk by and if they’ve got some extra ribs, they’ll let you have some. It’s fun. You will get to see the top-eight cooks in the world. This will be our seventh year — the first five years was the steaks, and the last two with ribs. I get a lot of followers and these guys are just like you and I. They like to have a good time, drink cold beer, cook some ribs and visit with their buddies. Now, when it’s go time, they will put their game face on. But 90% of them will still have their beer drinking face on, too.”

To compete in the Saturday competition for the points or invitations to the world events, you must be a registered member of the Rib Cook Off Association. You can register at www.ribcookoff.com and pay your fee online.