wanderingwanda17

We had the good fortune of being invited to go to Bennettsville, SC for the Marlboro County Rib Cook Off. Patrick was asked to be a judge, given his extensive culinary skills – especially with ribs! He was joined by our friend, Chef Delilah Winder and Michael Johnson, the general manager of the local Walmart and major sponsor for this event, as the three official judges. This was no ordinary cook off. There were 13 contestants and 13 enormous grills, many custom made (one said in flames “Don’t bite your fingers”). As delicious as the ribs were, I was simply in awe of the massive grills.

The general public was invited (for $10/pp) to sample and vote on the “People’s Choice Winner”. Sampling 13 different ribs is no joke. I made it through 7 rib-etts and tapped out. I have no idea how the judges tasted and kept track of all 13. Maybe that’s why they are the professionals. The 13 brave chefs bared their souls and best rib recipe to the world that day. They were all good, make no mistake about it, but a winner had to be named. When it was over, John Poonie Brown of B&B BBQ won the top prize of “Grill Master Supreme” two years running now. The Second Place Winner, Brent Barbee of BarbeeQ, was a new comer this year and surprised the crowd. And Honorable Mention went to Allen Williams of Unity BBQ. The People’s Choice Winner, LeVonne Evans aka Team Big Gal, was the fan favorite and one of two women in this male dominated food sport. Kudos to all the winners and their assistants, job well done!

The day was filled with cooking, trash talking, games, jokes and good fun. A local DJ played great music, a bar was on hand for some light refreshments and a good time was had by all. The proceeds for this event goes toward college scholarships for deserving children.

Our friend, Art Fennell, local Bennettsville guy who succeeded in national broadcasting, started this event three years ago. This is his way of giving back to his home town, supporting higher education in their youth and to show Bennettsville some love. Art’s family and a host of friends support the event by volunteering and pitching in to make it all come together. If you haven’t been to a rib cook off before, try this one on the Saturday before Fathers Day each year in Bennettsville, SC. The friendly folks, great food and music are only made better by supporting education of the youth. What more could you ask for? This is a made for TV type of event. See the brief video I did of the event and our stay in Bennettsville.

YouTube
— Read on m.youtube.com/watch

I must add, we stayed at the Breeden Inn, a Victorian Bed and Breakfast in town. This place is simply fabulous. The beds are comfortable, the place immaculate and the breakfast was divine. Bonnie’s breakfast fruit medley looked like a master painting on canvas, but tasted like a small bit of heaven. The meals each day were made fresh by Wes and delivered with warm conversation and a feeling of being home – but being served instead of cooking and cleaning up! The soaking tub in our room was the best. The décor and furniture would make it impossible to go to any hotel instead of staying there. The most creative feature of the property is the meandering garden behind the cottages they own leading to the master house. I truly felt like “Wanda in Wonderland” each morning making my way to breakfast at the main house through this magical garden. Talking to owners Wesley and Bonnie just made our stay that more intimate and special. Bonnie is the local concierge and stocks up on every brochure on Bennettsville. She told us about Lake Paul Wallace near her place, so of course we went for a visit and walk. Check them out at http://www.breedeninn.com, you will not be disappointed. And look for Bonnie’s garden store in the coming months. She has a green thumb and an artist’s imagination with plants. I look forward to returning to buy some plants, like the brown cotton plant that was on our dining table. If you like plants, you’ll love her garden store which is opening soon. If you drive from NYC to Florida, this is the perfect rest stop along the way. Tell Bonnie and Wes that Patrick and I send our best!