Barbecue competition at Westland Famous Dave’s will have free samplings
The Famous Dave’s restaurant chain is behind an All-Star BBQ Championship Series competition that's making a stop in metro Detroit seeking the best barbecue pitmasters.
On Saturday, Famous Dave’s at 36601 Warren Rd. in Westland is ground zero for a barbecue competition qualifier with a cash prize and a spot to compete at the World Food Championships (WFC) this fall in Dallas, Texas.Devotees of the long and slow process of barbecue will head to Westland for a heated competition vying for cash prizes and a trip to another world food competition.
More: Pure Michigan teams with Coca-Cola and McDonald's on new 'Pure Michigan Mix' drink
More: Wyandotte Street Art Fair: Where to eat, drink
The public is invited to watch the competition and sample free barbecue food.
You can also meet “Famous Dave” who will be at the competition. And that's Dave Anderson, founder of the nationwide restaurant chain known for its menu of American barbecue of ribs, pulled pork and other items as well as its product line that includes pickles, rubs and sauces.
More: Buddy's Pizza gets Slows Bar BQ twist on new summer menu
The Westland location is one of 15 Famous Dave’s nationwide hosting a qualifier event for a larger event. It’s the first year Famous Dave’s is a sponsor, according to Dave Anderson, who founded the nationwide restaurant chain in 1994.
Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ is a partnership with the WFC tournament where $300,000 in prize monies are at stake.
The winners of the Westland qualifier move on to the 11th annual WFC this fall in Dallas, Texas.For the Westland competition, six barbecue teams are gearing up their grills, smokers and whatever it takes to churn out great barbecue.
Teams must serve judges all their finished barbecued food on a silver platter.
“They will bring their grills, smokers whatever they feel it takes to compete,” Anderson said.Ribs, brisket, chicken and a wild card choice of anything goes, Anderson said, is on the menu.“Those entrees (wild card) can be some of the most creative and impressive displays of barbecue genius,” Anderson said.
At stake at the Westland competition, $5,000 in prize monies will be awarded along with two golden tickets for a spot at the WFC Dallas tournament.
And for the public, there’s plenty happening. The event is free and open to the public from noon-4 p.m. At the competition, Famous Dave’s will also celebrate its 20th anniversary of the Westland location, one of the first in Michigan. To celebrate they’ll serve up free food including pulled pork sandwiches, St. Louis-style ribs and fried chicken along with several side dishes and $1 draft beers, free soft drinks, iced tea and lemonade.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Free barbecue food samplings at famous Dave's in Westland
