Waterfront Inn captures Golden Buffalo at BBQ Bash at Spanish Springs

The 17th annual BBQ Bash, a benefit for the Villages Charter School, raised more than $50,000.

The money raised will be used to purchase books, computers and equipment. The BBQ makers in addition to doing good for the community, earned bragging rights as winners were announced in several categories. The winners included many veterans and one new contestant. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office participating for the first time, took home the third place trophy in the pork category.

Sixteen year veteran of the BBQ Bash Doug Wade of Wade’s Surveying said the event was busy all day.

“It was fast and furious from the time we opened,” said Wade. After a quick calculation he estimated they served about 2,000 people. “We’ve done this event every year except one,” said Wade. “We do it because it is for the school and the kids. That gives this event a lot of meaning.”

Wade picks a different theme each year. This year they went with a prison theme.

“Our slogan was BBQ so good it’s a crime,” said Wade.

Their booth had a table stacked with trophies from previous years. This year they won second place in the poultry category. “We change it up every year.”

Winners of the Golden Buffalo for best overall BBQ dish and first place winner in the beef category, The Waterfront Inn, had the same reasons as Wade for participating, but held a different philosophy on BBQ. “We use the same recipes,” said Waterfront Inn Chef Ed Kidwell. “The only thing we did different this year was use a different smoker.” Last year they won second in the beef category. Waterfront Inn General Manager Christy Kitt talked about their reason for participating.

“We all have kids at the Charter School. The Chef and I both do. In fact everyone working our tent today has kids in the Charter School. We always look for ways to support the school,” she said.

The BBQ makers weren’t the only veterans in the crowd. Fourteen year residents of the Village of Chatham Sharon and Keith Bridges have attended the BBQ Bash nearly every year.

“I can’t give you a favorite this year,” said Keith. “We got here later than usual and although I enjoyed what I tasted many of the folks were all out of BBQ.”

Full list of Winners:

Beef: 3^rd T&D Concrete

2^nd Property of the Villages

1^st Waterfront Inn

Pork: 3^rd Sumter County Sheriff’s Office

2^nd Massey Services

1^st Villages Charter High School Culinary Team

Poultry 3^rd Properties of the Villages

2^nd Wade Surveying

1^st Villages Commercial Property Management

Golden Buffalo Waterfront Inn

People’s Choice Villages Commercial Property Management

Best Booth T& D Concrete