BROKEN BOW — The inaugural “Beat the Heat BBQ Challenge” is being called a major success by organizers, with strong participation from competitors and a large turnout of attendees.
The Custer County Ag Society thanked everyone involved in the event, noting the community support helped make the first-year competition a standout. Planning is already underway for the event’s return next year.
Several pitmasters and teams were recognized across multiple categories.
Guillermo Larraga of El Puerco Loco, based in Shelton, claimed the top overall honor and took home the $1,000 jackpot.
Double K BBQ earned the People’s Choice award and also secured first place in the mystery challenge, which featured a “make your own sausage” category.
In individual meat categories, Dallas Mack of 308 BBQ won first place in brisket, while Jeremy Wells of Butt Shake BBQ swept both the ribs and pork shoulder divisions.
Mike Schmidt of Top Guns BBQ, along with Steph Seda, captured first place in the specialty side category with their smoked peach cobbler.
Organizers say the strong debut sets the stage for what they hope will become a returning summer tradition in Custer County.
