SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan. (Sept. 28, 3018) —The Best-Kept Secret in BBQ is no longer after the first place team, UTB BBQ, and second place team, Who Cares BBQ, revealed they used Prairie Fresh® ribs in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue® Open Competition rib category.
UTB BBQ of Kansas City, Mo., and Who Cares BBQ, Burnsville, N.C., were among 13 barbecue teams at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue placing in the Top 25 in pork, rib or overall that also revealed they used Prairie Fresh products in competition. Teams using Prairie Fresh products placing in the Top 10 in the pork or rib categories received additional prize money from Prairie Fresh and matched donations in the team’s name to Operation BBQ Relief (OBR).
“We were extremely proud to have received first place in the pork ribs category at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Contest. A big part of our win was the quality Prairie Fresh product we used. These ribs were beautifully marbled, of the highest quality and presented well. We would not think of using any other pork ribs than those from Prairie Fresh,” says Greg Gerstner, UTB BBQ pitmaster.
Fifty six teams entered to win the supplemental prize monies and donation package sponsored by Prairie Fresh at the American Royal competition. Teams were required to use Prairie Fresh ribs or pork at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, hang a Prairie Fresh flag and share on social media to qualify for prize money and an OBR donation in their name.
"We’ve known for years that competitive pitmasters and restaurateurs alike, including some of the most well-known and award-winning names in barbecue, have long relied on Prairie Fresh pork as their secret ingredient," says Scott Webb, vice president, domestic sales and marketing, Seaboard Foods. "We were so excited the first and second place rib category winners used Prairie Fresh products. Even more exciting for consumers is that they can now find Prairie Fresh pork products at supermarket so they can use Prairie Fresh products at home just like American Royal World Series of Barbecue competition winners.”
Congratulations to the following registered teams using Prairie Fresh products at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Competition on Sept. 16.
Overall:
12th - Hunka Hunka Burnin' Rub Competition BBQ Team, Olathe, Kan.
14th - The Celtic Pig, Fort Collins, Colo.
17th - Insane Swine BBQ, Worcester, Mass.
22nd - Slap's BBQ, Kansas City, Kan.
25th - BYO Grill Competition BBQ Team, St. Louis, Mo.
Pork category:
8th - BYO Grill Competition BBQ Team, St. Louis, Mo.
9th - Two Butts and a Ham BBQ, St. Louis, Mo.
Rib category:
1st- UTB BBQ, Kansas City, Mo.
2nd - Who Cares BBQ, Burnsville, N.C.
6th - Hunka Hunka Burnin' Rub Competition BBQ Team, Kansas City, Mo.
11th – Pork Pullin’ Plowboys BBQ, Kansas City, Mo.
14th - Sauced! BBQ Company, Denver, N.C.
18th - Blue Smoke, New York, N.Y.
The American Royal World Series of Barbecue is deemed as the world’s largest barbecue competition and was held Sept. 13-15 in Kansas City, Kan.
“Prairie Fresh is happy to support top-notch pitmasters at one of the most competitive and acclaimed barbecue competitions of the season,” says Monica Camarin, senior brand manager for Prairie Fresh®. “We are so proud that some of the best pitmasters on the circuit use Prairie Fresh ribs and pork for its consistency, flavor and wholesomeness.”
In addition, attendees at the American Royal barbecue could see Prairie Fresh brand ambassadors and OBR volunteers collecting donations and raffle forms in front of the OBR Mobile Command Center as they entered the Prairie Fresh Marketplace at the Kansas Speedway. OBR, with the assistance of Prairie Fresh brand ambassadors, ran a raffle for a Yoder Smoker, Bull Bison Grill, Red Box Smoker, YETI gear and other barbecue prizes. All proceeds from the raffle and donation booth, totaling nearly $6,000, went to support Operation BBQ Relief's current deployment in North Carolina. OBR has served 282,175 meals to date at its North Carolina deployment, and reached a milestone of serving its 2 millionth meal since it was founded in 2011. Prairie Fresh has provided all the pork for this deployment.
About Prairie Fresh
Prairie Fresh® is the brand of a uniquely connected food system that relentlessly seeks a better way to produce wholesome pork by purposely connecting every step between its farms and family tables around the world. This commitment ensures the well-being of the animals, the environment, employees and the communities they call home. Sold and marketed by Seaboard Foods, Prairie Fresh is the official pork supplier to Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) and provided pork for OBR to serve 376,000 meals in 2017 and 250,000 meals in 2018.
