A newcomer was the big winner Saturday at the Buffalo Pride BBQ Bash to benefit the Villages Charter School.
The event was held in Spanish Springs Town Square.
Warren Willis camp, a Christian camp in Fruitland Park, took home the Golden Buffalo and First Place Pork.
“Unbelievable,” said one of the chefs for Warren Willis, Ron Ashley. “We feel truly blessed.”
His fellow team members included Michael Smith, Bob and Janet Koptis, Tanner Smith and Glen Joslin.
“Michael is the head chef at the camp and is our star. We used his “secret” recipes for the rub and sauce and his techniques for smoking,” said Ashley, a resident of the Village of Largo.
First Place Pork has traditionally been a tough category as it is the largest category in the competition.
Commercial Property Management continued their winning ways, bringing home the awards for People’s Choice Best BBQ and First Place Chicken.
This continued CPM’s years of domination.
CPM has taken First Place Chicken for 10 years and for nine of the past 10 years has been awarded Best BBQ.
“It’s the sauce that sets us apart,” said CPM team captain Brenda Grant.
“We go to Lake Miona Recreation Center the night before and get everything ready,” Grant said.
This was the 13th year of the event with this year’s BBQ Bash co-chaired by Amanda Isaacs and Tina Robbins.
Other winners were:
• People’s Choice Booth: T&D Concrete
• First Place Beef: Villages Public Safety Department
• First Place Other (Game, Fish etc.): Raymond James
