A very happy EJ
I think everyone who reads this blog knows how fanatical we are about meat on the bone. So when I found out that Sharky’s was running their 1st ever ribs cookoff, it was an easy decision to join the masses for some meat.
9 competitors vied for the “Piggie” award and with three professional palates taking care of the judging, it was going to be a tough competition!
We were getting hungry and a bit impatient for the ribs to come out, so we ordered some nachos to stave off the hunger until the main event. I have always loved the nachos at Sharky’s. I think it has to do with the copious amounts of cheddar cheese sauce and jalapenos on the plate.
Demolished nachos
The judges got their portions of ribs all at once which made practically everyone in the bar (well at least at my table) stare hungrily at all the white styrofoam boxes littered on the judging table. What made it even worse was the announcement from the management that turnout was larger than expected and they may not have enough to go around!
The judging table
Fifteen minutes later, the all you can feast of coleslaw, corn on the cob and potato salad was unwrapped, ribs started coming out in white styrofoam boxes and we finally got to eating!
Ribs contestant number 1: Conner
Ribs contestant number 2: Rory's Restaurant
Ribs contestant number 3: Mike from Sharky's
Ribs contestant number 4: Ebony
Ribs contestant number 5: Chona Correa
Ribs contestant number 6: Lone Star
Ribs contestant number 7: Rusty Keyhole
Ribs contestant number 8: Ross
Ribs contestant number 9: Dallas from Alley Cat
Ribs contestant number 10: Al from Sharky's
I don’t want to go into detail about the ribs except that they were all very good and portion sizes were ample. Also, number 10 was not given to the judges but given to the crowd for the People’s Choice vote.
We were completely stuffed and totally ribbed out when number 10 rolled out. In our group of 10, 8 picked the ribs from Rusty as the clear winner with one vote going to Number 3 and to Number 9 respectively.
In the end, the People’s Choice Award went to Rusty Keyhole in Kampot.
And the winners are:
3rd place: Number 9 which came from Dallas at Alley Cat Cafe
2nd place: Number 3 which came from Mike who owns Jake’s BBQ restaurant located in NYC
1st place: Number 4 which were beef ribs that came from Ebony (no restaurant affiliation)
I have to admit that when I tasted the ribs from Ebony, they were impressive. I thought they were lamb ribs and the sauce was excellent. Not too sweet and had a subtle roasted garlic taste to it. I tried to get the recipe from Ebony but I think she is keeping it secret for next year!
Many thanks to the Sharky’s crew for organizing this event and I hope to see more of these cookoffs in Cambodia!
Just some more images from the night.
Mike dishing out the goods
Bringing out the next contestant
Ribs from Dallas
Someone came prepared!
