|
|
Chicago honours Buncrana barbeque
wizards
15.09.09
WHEN Buncrana hosts its
next Barbeque Bonanza it could invite as guests of
honour two of Chicago's top barbeque wizards. Why?
Because those experts on the charcoals in the Windy
City are none other than local men, Ian Porter and
Mickey Bradley.
Ian, formerly of the Drift Inn, has been living in
Chicago for many years and last week took top
honours in the 9th Annual Baby Joe Championship
Barbeque Rib Cook-Off. The two Crana-siders grilled
for hours in the smoke, side-by-side, with Ian just
pushing Mickey into second place.
The big barbeque challenge was held at pub
restaurant, The Roberts Roadhouse in Hickory Hills,
a suburb just outside of Chicago. A total of 40
contestants took part in the September 5 event with
cooking beginning at 7.30am and continuing for
nearly eight gruelling hours until the judging began
at 3pm. |
All competitors were
given two slabs of pork ribs to season and cook over
charcoal and wood with entries judged on taste,
texture and appearance of the ribs.
Ian, a veteran of past rib cook-offs, said growing
up at The Drift Inn held him in good stead for such
a cookery competition. "I was taught by the best -
my granny and family," he said. |
 |
Meanwhile, it was Mickey's first time entering the
event and his work for hours over the charcoal
helped him perfect his tasty ribs. He even revealed
his barbeque secret. "I lightly season the sweet
meat, let the smoke gently kiss the ribs and time
takes care of the rest," he said.
A total of six Irishmen entered with the two locals
doing Buncrana proud among Americans who have cooked
barbeque all their lives. Third place was taken by
Jimmy Kocher who had won the cook-off the previous
year. Asked how he lost out to two men from a small
town in Donegal this year, he said: "I'm totally at
a loss, my cooking assistant and wife Mary (from
Dublin) had to work." But his excuses didn't wash
with Ian and Mickey who carried away, albeit with
somewhat charred fingers, two handsome trophies and
a place for Buncrana on the barbeque map. |
|
