Don't hate me because i'm delicious sticker.

Smoked to the Bone BBQ Competition

By on May 26, 2013

And delicious it was at the 2013 Smoked to the Bone Competition at the Gloucester Fair

I forgot what it was like to be at a fair, the music coming from all the rides was utterly deafening, don’t get me wrong I like that sort of thing – especially when you can feel the pulsating base through your body. It may be too much for some but to me I see it as the whole ‘fair’ experience. Like any fair, the line ups for the rides were long, crowds of people walking aimlessly throughout the fair grounds, the smell of almost everything under the sun being fried and freshly popped popcorn enveloped the sky…my nose was in Carny heaven! But I wasn’t there for those traditional treats, I was there to sink my canines in some meat…pulled pork to be exact. The Smoked to the Bone Competition is sanctioned by the CSBBQA, the Canadian Southern BBQ Association, which is the “largest organization of smoking and grilling enthusiasts in Canada”…and now I was going to be one of them!!!

The Smoked to the Bone People’s Choice competition was in full swing when I got there. The black smoke was evidence enough that there was some serious “slow and low” cooking that was happening. The Smoked to the Bone Competition is a juried event and not normally open to the general public however; they featured the Second Annual People’s Choice competition so everyone who wanted to sample some real competitive BBQ could do so and then vote for the BBQ Master(s) that they felt was the best.

I was giddy as a pig in mud…the irony that I am using a happy pig in this analogy totally cracks me up.The process of judging the BBQ teams was a very easy one. All one had to do was pay $5 for which you would receive 5 tickets and a ‘winning chip’. Each ticket allowed you to try any of the teams’ pulled pork samples. Once you reached a decision as to who was your favorite BBQ team, you would then give the team your ‘chip’. It’s goes without saying that the team that had the most chips would win the People’s Choice award. So, off I went trying the array of diverse pulled pork that the teams offered. Teams were allowed to use pretty much any form of persuasive tactics to lure you to their BBQ tent to taste their finger lickin’ samples. That being said, hawking, yelling, singing, ringing bells and horns was not only permitted but it was highly encouraged. Their underlying motto of the BBQ event was to have a ‘fun, loud and proud celebration of BBQ’.

I was pretty surprised at the diverse preparedness that the teams had and in some cases hadn’t for this event. One would think that since all the teams would be providing the public 1 oz cupplets of pulled pork that you would expect that you would be provided at the very least with a fork or toothpick like contraption to wolf down the meat, especially since you are drizzling their signature sauces onto their cooked to perfection meat. But nope, that was not the case for some teams. When asked for some fork-ware or anything else to help me eat, I was told to use my fingers….seriously? I know I was eating pork, but that doesn’t mean I have to act like a pig in a trough. What lady would do that? So, I had a dilemma…I didn’t want my utter disapproval for something that to me and apparently to almost every other team was a given (that you should provide people who are going to sample your labor of love with some form of a mini pitch fork) to cloud my judgement from the real reason why I was tasting their sample – to see if they had what it took to get my ever so valuable winning chip. Some teams were smart about their strategies, seducing us- the voters with wet one’s, bottles of water and good old Southern charm to their advantage. I must admit it worked…to a certain degree. But then again I’m a sucker for old fashioned chivalry and gallantry.

After sampling my five teams from the array of teams that were part of the People’s Choice, I thought I knew what team I was going to select as my favorite. But as I was still chewing the last morsel of my fifth team the tenderness and juiciness of the pork stayed with me even though I was about to vote for another team….what a close call that was. So, there you have it I had finally made my decision…my last team was the my favorite and off I went to hand over my voters chip. I’m not sure who was happier, the team that I handed it too or me as I felt confident with my decision (knowing how close I came to making the wrong call).

Overall the day was picture perfect…great weather, loads of fun, amazing memories of experiencing some ‘firsts’ with loved one’s (participating in the BBQ event and being grateful to some other events, all thanks to some ‘carny hospitality’) but that’s a different story for another day. I can’t divulge everything…what kind of lady would that make me?!

Who would be worthy of my ‘winning chip’?

The look of pride as the “Black Pig” BBQ team scored another
chip…one from the Food Tease herself

The perfect marriage - garlic escargots and @moetchandon Ice Imperial Champagne 🍾 🥂😍😍

If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting this incredibly refreshing Champagne, then I'd suggest you do it and do it now!! You'll thank me for it😉😋

What is unique about this Champagne is the fact that it was created to be served over ice, hence its name - Ice Imperial. It is the perfect accompaniment to any dish or simply alone...sheer perfection!!

Here's to more 'occasions' or 'simply because' 😉

Cheers🥂

#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodphotography #foodporn #champagne #champagnelover #icechampagne #moet #moetchandon #anyoccasion #justbecause #escargot #luxelife #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #tmacontario
"Cook with love always, and people will feel it" - Chef @antonyannick70

It was a pleasure and honour to witness Chef Yannick Anton from @lecordonbleuottawa receive the Chevalier de L'Ordre du Mérite Agricole. 

This award, bestowed by the French Ministry of Agriculture, recognizes his contribution to promoting French culture in Ottawa and across Canada through his work as a chef and culinary instructor. 
🇨🇵 🇨🇦🧑‍🍳

Read about his extraordinary career in my article published in the Fall issue of @luxeottawamagazine 

A lifelong passion for his craft - Congratulations again, Chef!!🏅🤩

#travelblogger #foodblogger #travelwriter #foodwriter #chef #cheflife #chevalier #meriteagricole #prestigious #accolades #frenchculture #promoting #published #luxelife #tmac #tmacontario #ifwtwa1 #frenchchef
The @brookstreetott hotel is a dreamy setting for couples embarking on their marital journey, especially with their all-in-one location. 🤩🤩

Discover their exclusive curated services in my recently published article featured in the Fall/Winter issue of the @ottawawedding magazine.

● Premiere wedding venue 💍✅️
● 18-hole championship golf course ⛳️✅️
● Exceptional cuisine 🍽 ✅️

Make your next stay a memorable one with the Brookstreet Hotel! 

#foodblogger #travelblogger #traveldestination #weddingvenue #ottawa #championshipgolfcourse #golfcourse #curated #awardwinning #getaway #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #travelwriter #ottawaweddingmagazine #published #lovemyjob #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #tmacontario
Those who know me know I'm weak for tasty popcorn and @fromfarmtotablecanada
 spoiled me with theirs!! 🍿 😋

Proudly Ontario-made and woman-owned, From Farm to Table Canada has debuted their limited-edition CNE Kettle Corn in collaboration with the Canadian National Exhibition @letsgototheex for the 2024 season.Their beautiful package illustrations captures the fun that we have, when at the CNE 🎢.

It's the perfect blend of sweet and salty - my favourite!! 😍

They are available in two sizes: Family Bag and Grab & Go. Sold online as well as in retail chains and many independent stores.

This must-have snack for the summer is available until Labour Day. 

Get yours today and enjoy!!🍿🍿
A couple of evenings ago, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by my alma mater, @lecordonbleuottawa to witness Chef @antonyannick70 be awarded France's L'Ordre du mérite agricole, the highest civilian honour from the embassy @franceaucanada 😃

This distinction recognizes the contributions of Chef Yannick to promote French culture in Canada and Ottawa specifically - through his work as a chef and instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Ottawa. 

Special moments of the evening included Ambassador of France to Canada, Michel Miraillet sharing with guests the numerous accomplishments that Chef Yannick Anton has accomplished over the years. Simply remarkable!!👏👏
A very touching and inspiring moment came when Chef Yannick Anton gave praise and gratitude to his mentors, who helped him attain his dream in the culinary industry. He also reminded the graduating class of chefs to always have a vision and to never let it go.👨‍🍳👩🏼‍🍳😍

And it wouldn't be a celebration without some tasty treats that exude French flare! They even had chocolate graduation hats - very cute and apropo 🎓🎓

Bravo Chef!!😊
Muy Caliente!!🔥🔥🌞🌞

With the insanely hot weather, nothing is more refreshing than this tasty Brazilian lemonade with some @bacardi Gold
Rum for the win!!🤩😋

And let me tell you, a pitcher was made...as it's THAT delicious!!

At this rate, I will finally start to enjoy the summer heat...providing I have my 'special' lemonade!😉

Cheers!

#foodblogger #travelblogger #cocktails #cocktailporn #brazilianlemonade #braziliandrink #summerdrinks #bacardi #rum #summerheat #summerheatwave #lemonadeforadults #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #enjoylife #enjoythemoment
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Access Token is not valid or has expired. Feed will not update.

Follow Us On Instagram