Title of barbecue champion goes to Penny Street team

When the smoke cleared, the porkers were the clear winner.

The Charles E. Knote Memorial Award for Grand Champion went to the Penny Street Porkers at the Chamber of Commerce's 12th annual BBQ Fest at Arena Park on Saturday. The team won a trophy and $300.

The BBQ Fest began Friday night with the showmanship competition. Saturday's competition among 38 teams was for the best in beef strip steak, pork steak, pork ribs and pork butts.

A team meeting to discuss rules began the day at 7:30 a.m.

But for the Oran, Mo., team, Caney Misfits, who were competing for the first time, the grill was going by 6 a.m. The team consists of friends who have been together since 1981 and grilling for about a year and a half.

"We figured we'd try it one time and see what we can do," said team member Gregg Trankler.

In assembly-line fashion, Mike Essner jerked the meat from the smoker and with gloved hands passed it to Keith Trankler, who placed it on the small grill specifically used for searing in the flavor and adding colorful appeal for the judges. Mark Eftink cut the meat, and Gregg Trankler placed it in the official Styrofoam entry container.

Seasoning and marinating are essential for flavor, the team members said, but no one could reveal the recipe because they don't measure the ingredients. When they get tired of the way it tastes, they put something different on it.

Their smoker, valued at about $7,000, looks like a mini pizza oven consisting of three racks with five trays.

"We got it from a good old boy who wanted to get rid of it to make room for his tractor," Essner said.

The team spent about $500 for supplies for the competition. However, it did not place in any of the categories on Saturday.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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