Kamsack and its surrounding area was well-represented at BBQ on the Bow in Calgary, one of the largest competitions of its kind in Canada.
Jared and Nikki Ruf of Togo are well known for their catering at local functions through the business they operate based out of Togo called In Good Taste Catering.
The couple also attend competitions with their team which they call Smokin’ Good Taste BBQ. On September 1 and 2 they were in Calgary to compete at BBQ on the Bow and with them were their children, Ella, age 9 and Flynn, age 6 who competed in the junior category.
It was a pleasant surprise for the family when the judges announced that Ella and Flynn took top honours in the junior category for their efforts.
“They competed against 12 other kids, age 15 and under, and they placed as the overall winners, by only one point,” said Jared Ruf.
“The barbecue committee provided the competition food for the junior class. The meat was a rib and a pork chop with corn on the cob.
“When they announced the winners we couldn’t believe it. It was their first time in a real competition setting. They have helped us in the past at competitions where we have been winners, so they understand what competition is all about.
“Ella is very passionate and focused so it was really good to see her on the winning team. We are very proud of their win, and we are very proud parents,” Jared said.
Ella is in Grade 5 at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute (KCI) and Flynn is in Grade 1 at Victoria School.
“Ella is very keen on learning cooking and barbeque techniques at home, and baking is also her passion,” said her father.
Although Jared and Nikki participated in the competition, they did not place in the four categories which were chicken, pork, brisket and ribs.
“Some of our barbecue dishes didn’t turn out as well as we had hoped, and it’s all about pleasing the judges. That can be very subjective, and that’s why the flavour profile is so important, because it has to please each individual palate,” Jared said.
“This is the oldest sanctioned barbeque competition in Canada and one of the largest. There were 46 teams in the adult competition during the two-day event overall.
“It ended up being a great family trip for us, and Ella and Flynn’s win was the icing on the cake,” he said.
Another team with members from Kamsack and Yorkton, was also at this year’s competition.
“It was our fifth year competing at BBQ on the Bow in Calgary,” said AnnaLee Parnetta of Kamsack, a member of team Big Boy BBQ, along with her husband Jeff.
“The team worked hard this year, tried some new techniques with cooking, prepping and saucing and in the chicken category it paid off with a second place finish out of 41 teams. It was a good weekend and the team looks forward to going back next year,” she said.
Other members of the team include Nathan Hudye of Kamsack and Sara Soke and Kelly Hancock of Yorkton.
