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| Ribs prepared by Wolf's Revenge are ready for the judges to evaluate. Photo: Wolf's Revenge via Facebook. |
Smokin' in the Pines
Smokin’ in the Pines returned to the barbecue scene after taking a year off last year. First held in 2023, the event raises funds for First Tee—Sandhills, a youth development organization that supports kids and teens through the game of golf. The contest also features some of the top cooking teams on the East Coast because it offered $5,000 in prize money.
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| Wolf's Revenge celebrate their first-place prizes. Photo: Wolf's Revenge via Facebook. |
Wolf's Revenge Is Grand Champion
The top team was Wolf’s Revenge, which was crowned as the grand champion. It outpaced the runner-up (known as the reserve champions), Smokin Skullies, by the thinnest of margins—0.0004 points. Wolf’s Revenge placed very high in all four meat categories: chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket.
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| The Wolf's Revenge team assembles its chicken entry. Photo: Wolf's Revenge via Facebook. |
Contest Held On Airport Tarmac
George DeMartz, the contest organizer, told the judges that more than 70 cooking teams had expressed interest in competing in the contest, which is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. However, he could only accept 22 because the space at the Moore County Airport, where the event is held, could not accommodate more. About the venue, Wolf’s Revenge commented on Facebook: “Cooking BBQ and serving samples on an airport tarmac with helicopters and private jets whirling around was nothing short of impressive.”
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| Unperturbed by the airport traffic, BBQ teams set up on the tarmac. |
The contest was not held last year because the local area was engaged with the extensive preparations for the U.S. Open, the annual tournament conducted by the U.S. Golf Association, which was held at Pinehurst Country Club just six miles away.
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| A team member of Wolf's Revenge prepares the pork entry for judging. Photo: Wolf's Revenge via Facebook. |
Activities For Local Community
Smokin’ in the Pines was also a festival for the local community. Afternoon activities included live music, kids activities, local vendors, and other entertainment. Of course, the most popular activities were touring the area where the competition teams were cooking and sampling BBQ that the teams had prepared for the People’s Choice contest. It’s a great event, and I hope to return again as a judge.
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| Brisket smoked by Wolf's Revenge is ready for slicing. Photo: Wolf's Revenge via Facebook. |
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