Sizzling Summer BBQ Contest, Year Two

The second year of a contest is like having a second child•it seems like it would be easier, but turns out it isn’t. That said, The Santa Barbara Independent proudly announces the nominees, culled from many entrants, for its Second Sizzling Summer BBQ Contest. Once again, we’ve found professionals and amateurs willing to stand the heat outside the kitchen, as it were, and get us all ready for a summer of fine eating.

All 16 finalists will dish up their recipes at a public judging on Wednesday, June 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at our sponsor Whole Foods’ establishment (3761 State St.). Everyone’s invited to watch the judging panel chow down and vote who’s got the best BBQ in town. The panel will feature last year’s professional main course champ and caterer extraordinaire Edie Robertson, Edible Santa Barbara editor Krista Harris, and others. The nominees are:

Entrée pro:

• Cedar-Plank Salmon; John Aspra, Epicurean Cowboy Catering Company

• Mark and Brian’s Special Chicken Kebabs; Greek House Café

• Barbequed Pork Bánh Mì Sandwich (Xa Xiu); O Street Truck

• Coke-Injected Tri-Tip Sandwich; Aaron Robertson, private chef

Side dish pro:

• California Fiesta Quinoa Salad; Suzanne Landry, SBCC Culinary Program

• Parisian Potato Salad; O Street Truck

• Grilled Caprese Flatbread; Aaron Robertson, private chef

Entrée amateurs:

• Momma K’s Famous Chipotle-Apricot Baby Back Ribs; Kristi Bean

• BBQ Fried Chicken; Sonny Chehl

• Grilled Shrimp in Black Current Balsamic Fig Glaze with Watercress Aioli Dipping Sauce; Emily Falke

• Slow-Smoked Pork Shoulder, Jalapeño and Green Chili Corn Waffle, Horseradish Cole Slaw, and Homemade Barbecue Sauce; Aron Ives

• Tamari-Marinated Flank Steak Salad; Jonathon Schuhrke

• Spicy Sock-Eye Salmon Rub; Mark Silverberg

Side dish amateurs:

• Mac ’n’ Cheese; Jenny Cipollini-Bryan

• Cornbread Pudding; George Levinthal

• Chorizo Picante Stuffed, Bacon-Wrapped Date with Nora Chile-Infused Honey; Jonathon Schuhrke

As for the pro-am cocktail shake-up, it will happen on Thursday, June 16, 5:30-7 p.m., at Harry’s Plaza Café (3313-B State St.). Again, the public is invited to attend and watch our panel of judges get happy — it’s the kind of event where everyone wins. Further details about that event will be in the June 16 issue of The Independent.