Angie Quaale’s love of Southern-style BBQ began with a single cookbook.
Barbecue Secrets: Unbeatable Recipes, Tips & Tricks from a Barbecue Champion, written by local chef Ron Shewchuk, was her introduction to the slow-style charcoal grilling, and she soon perfected the skill and began competing with it.
But enjoying the culture of this cuisine herself wasn’t enough. Quaale wanted to share her passion with other Canadians.
Ten years ago she started the BBQ off the Bypass competition, and today it attracts some of the top BBQ teams in the Pacific Northwest.
“It’s awesome, I really wanted people to understand and appreciate what it is as a cultural element of food culture,” said Quaale, owner of Well Seasoned gourmet food store.
“BBQ is so big and so prevalent in the United States, it’s not something that is very Canadian. The more people start to understand it, the more they appreciate it and the more they get to enjoy it.
“I love being part of the growth of that food culture here, it’s been amazing.”
This year’s event is being held on Sept. 13 and is featuring 30 teams competing for a $10,000 pool.
There are five categories including chicken, brisket, ribs, pork butt and an open choose as well as an additional “blackbox” category for teams to showcase their cooking creativity.
And the best part — the event is free for the public to taste and enjoy.
There will be free BBQ samples, food trucks, live music and many other unique displays.
“Food really brings people together, but BBQ brings people together because it takes so long to do well,” Quaale said.
“When you BBQ a beef brisket or a pork shoulder, it’s 12 to 15 hours that things sits on the grill. So you really have an opportunity to relax and enjoy the process.
“It’s not like a steak that cooks in 10 minutes, it’s a really slow process and it’s really a lifestyle.”
On the sweeter side, the event also features the 6th annual Great BC Bake Off amateur pie competition with three categories of fruit pie, open choice and the classic Canadian butter tart.
All of the food used for the competition is sourced from local producers, and proceeds from the day will benefit the TinyKittens Society.
Stop by the BBQ off the Bypass in the Well Seasoned parking lot at #117, 20353 64 Ave. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is limited and only available in surrounding areas.
For more, visit www.bbqoffthebypass.com.