Savor the Friendship: Briscoe Cook-Off Promises a Feast of Fun!

Noah Vargas from New Braunfels seasons his chicken prior to placing it on the grill. As a newcomer to the cook-off, Vargas was among roughly 135 competitors participating in this year’s Briscoe Ranch BBQ event, hosted on the grounds of the Uvalde County Fairplex. (Photo by Melissa Federspill|Leader-News)

Seeking new experiences, Noah Vargas and his mother decided to participate in this year’s Briscoe Ranch BBQ Cook-off after hearing recommendations from friends.

While seasoning chicken for the contest on the morning of December 14, Vargas, who achieved 10th place in the 2022 World Axe Throwing Championship but felt he could have performed better in the cook-off, mentioned that they were enjoying the competition and found everyone to be very hospitable.

Claiming victory over the Vargases were grand champion Josh Hale of Sure Shot BBQ from Leander and reserve grand champion Kevin Hernandez of My Pits R Burnin from Floresville.

Many teams from Uvalde County performed remarkably this year, including Robert Sullivan of Bear’s Den BBQ from Utopia, who secured second place in brisket and 29th overall, and Luis Fernandez of Uvalde-based Los Slow Cookers, who earned 13th in the steak category.

The sense of warmth and camaraderie is truly reflected by Jan Elliott, who, together with Wade Carpenter and friends, conceived the idea for a barbecue contest approximately 17 years ago. The president of South Texas Cattlewomen and a longtime Uvalde resident emphasized that although the event has expanded, it still retains its friendly atmosphere, filled with hospitality, togetherness, and people bonding over food.

Adele Barboza, 10, from Uvalde, prepares a ribeye ahead of the Kid’s Que competition. She secured ninth place in the junior division and 16th overall during the event on December 17, which received 29 entries in the Kids Que competition. (Photo by Melissa Federspill|Leader-News)

This aspect is among her favorite regarding the event, which attracted 136 teams from various parts of the state to Uvalde this year.

Elliott remarked that when families and friends gather, put their phones down, and let children ride their bikes, the connections made and memories created go beyond mere competition and striving for championship accolades, thus promoting the event as a wonderful representative for Uvalde.

Jimmy Edmondson of Mr. Keen Sharpening Service from San Antonio attended on December 13, the first day of the event, to sharpen cooking knives. It was his second consecutive year at the occasion, and he expressed his return was due to the warm reception he received and the level of success he achieved here. In fact, he indicated that this year, he made the decision to sponsor a winner’s buckle.

A few days after this year’s contest on December 13-14, on December 17, Elliott spoke with the newspaper, reminiscing about starting the event when it took place at Memorial Park. She characterized the occasion as more akin to a gathering where…where friends and relatives gathered to grill over the Labor Day holiday, emphasizing that the Champions Barbecue Alliance had not yet approved the competition.

Inspired by the barbecue that Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe hosted at the venue during his campaign for office, Elliott mentioned that the goal was to unite individuals. She recalled that it was a common event for Briscoe to participate in while he was alive. As he grew older and mobility became more difficult, he would drive around the grounds and greet people from his car. “He cherished the camaraderie,” Elliott stated.

Briscoe is one among many who have visited over the years. Elliott noted remembering at least one group from Canada and others from Montana who, drawn by the rising smoke and aroma of barbecue, stopped by to learn more about the event. She mentioned that many passersby frequently remain to assist in judging the competition, made possible through the support of volunteers and Fairplex staff.

“I cannot express enough appreciation for the staff,” Elliott remarked, adding that they maintain a tidy facility throughout the competition.

Additional volunteers consist of around 15-20 members from the South Texas Cattlewomen, volunteer judges, and individuals who aid in organizing the event.

The Barbecue Champions Alliance oversees the event, which provides a monetary reward. This year’s reward exceeded $33,000. It also functions as a fundraising initiative for scholarships at Southwest Texas College.

Numerous residents from Uvalde achieved top positions in the Kids Que. In the junior category, 10-year-old Adele Barboza secured ninth place, while 11-year-old Aubree Rodriguez claimed 11th place. Thirteen-year-old Sophia Rodriguez attained third place in the senior division, and 13-year-old Sierra Mena took 11th place.

Jimmy Edmondson, the proprietor of Mr. Keen Sharpening Service in San Antonio, sharpens a knife. Edmonson was present on Dec. 13 at the Briscoe Ranch BBQ Cook-off at the Uvalde County Fairplex, providing his expertise to the chefs preparing for the competition that weekend. This marks the second year he has participated in the event. (Photo by Melissa Federspill|Leader-News)

Sure Shot BBQ from Leander, led by Josh Hale, was crowned this year’s grand champion. (Photo courtesy of Adrian Alonzo)

Fred Robles from Rio Valley Meat in Weslaco pauses from grilling on Dec. 14 for a swift photo. Robles holds the position of president of the Champions Barbecue Alliance, which oversees the Briscoe Ranch BBQ Cook-off. He earned the title of World Food BBQ Champion in 2017 and National BBQ Champion in 2019. He has secured over 95 grand and reserve grand championship accolades. (Photo by Melissa Federspill|Leader-News)