Greenville’s 7th Annual Project Host BBQ Cook-off was a HUGE success. Project Host BBQ Cook off is held each year in downtown Greenville as a joint venture between the City of Greenville and Project Host Soup Kitchen. The proceeds go to help teach culinary and life skills to those without jobs so that they become productive members of the society. Find out more about this at: http://www.projecthost.org/ . The culinary students actually served the sponsors on Friday evening a wonderful spread of culinary creations. It was a beautiful weekend to showcase this event. For the first time ever, the rain held out until after the awards and all the cookers had left the grounds. Project Host volunteers continued to serve BBQ plates on out until past 10 PM!
The point spread between ALL teams from beginning to end was just very slim---ONLY 1.84 points----WOW--AMAZING QUE FROM ALL!!
CONGRATULATIONS for the top 3 award winners
BUTTS:
1. SWINE HOUSE BARBECUE (Stephen Newman) 15.71
2. BACKWOODS BBQ (Gene Culbertson) 15.40
3. BUCKY’S BBQ (Wayne Preston)15.34
RIBS
1. NARD’S BACKYARD BBQ (Randall Knight) 15.55
2. BUCKY’S BBQ (Wayne Preston) 15.37
3. HI-LO SMOKE COMPANY, LLC (Blair Boan) 15.34
We cannot forget the Friday night Wing Ding Competition. First place for Wing Competition judged by first responders: Congratulations to Sticky Fingers/Downtown Greenville with Travis Choice.
Judge Advancement: We also want to give a big shout out to Mike Skidmore was promoted to Senior Judge at this event. CONGRATULATIONS, Mike!
SCBA judges working together as a TEAM….I count it a privilege for the opportunity to be the Marshal for this event. David McLaurin served as Asst. Marshal and was attentive to details and a great asset. Don Adkins, Dist. Marshal was there to facilitate as well. We had great Table Captains with Steve Meadows, William Holliday, Jason Doss, Jerry Howell, and Bubba Kesler. Brian Snavely taught the Novice Table. Tommy Kidd and Jim Mintz were at the receiving table and did a great job. My wife, Judi was the Calculator for the event, Mike Horn was all over the event taking pictures of what was “happening”. I am so proud of everyone who jumped in and did whatever needed to be done. Our SCBA judges are the best for working together as a collaborative team!

My wife, Judi and I really enjoyed visiting and talking with each of the cookers on an individual basis. Thank you to Sally Green with Project Host who provided breakfast sausage biscuits from Tommy’s Ham House and hot coffee from Starbucks.
It was wonderful to see the “seasoned” cookers assisting the new cookers with equipment and necessities. We feel so blessed to a part of this group!
A successful event like this does not just “happen”. It takes a dedicated team working diligently together to make it happen. From the City of Greenville, Sally Green from Project Host Soup kitchen making this an annual opportunity for the residents, the cookers providing their expert cooking skills, and the judges providing savory taste buds, and HUNDREDS of volunteers it all came together as planned. Hope to see you again next year at the 8th Annual Project Host BBQ Cook-off in 2017! Mark your calendar NOW for the last weekend in April!!
Thank you, thank you THANK YOU ALL of doing what you do so well. Keep cookin’, smokin’, and judgin’, tastin’ SCBA style. “South Carolina the BBQ State”

Tony Lindsey, Marshal AND David McLaurin, Asst. Marshal