Langley barbeque competition heads off beaten track

It has been a decade since Angie Quaale opened her gourmet food store in Langley and as an anniversary gift, Well Seasoned found itself in some shiny new digs not far from the offices of the Langley Advance.

What makes this move even better is that the ninth annual BBQ on the Bypass is now the BBQ OFF the Bypass at the new location at 117-20353 64 Ave.

Sunday’s event will have about 20 barbeque teams vying for top spots in the back parking area behind Well Seasoned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s going to take up the whole back [lot],” Quaale noted, pointing out the back windows of the bright store.

Quaale started the barbeque event nine years ago as a way to unite grilling enthusiasts in the quest for the ultimate barbeque. The BBQ OFF the Bypass is free to attend and a great time for families with music, free barbeque samples, activities for kids, and more.

“Chicken is first, then ribs, pulled pork and brisket,” Quaale said of the different barbecue competitions. “A different one every hour.”

The open choice category is the last of the day.

Barbeque teams compete for the best creation in the chosen categories and winners qualify to compete in international barbeque championships.

“We’ve changed sanctioning bodies,” noted Quaale. “It’s kind of a big deal to me, and the participants, but less so to the public.”

Sanctioning representatives from the Kansas City BBQ Society will oversee the judges that select the ultimate winners. The competition will be fierce in the fight for $5,000 in cash and prizes and the ability to go to the next level of competition.

“I guess I’m one of the people who led the charge in barbeque in this area,” Quaale said.

Then there’s the Bake-Off competition element of the day-long event. Now in its fifth year and open to the public to enter, this appeals to those who have more of a sweet tooth than a “meat tooth.”

“There are three separate categories,” noted Quaale of the Bake-Off.

Fruit pie, anything pie (also known as an open category), and, “because we’re Canadian, there’s a butter tart category,” Quaale added.

Quaale was making a butter tart pie for a segment of Shaw TV’s Go! Vancouver show when the Langley Advance arrived at the new Well Seasoned. While explaining her gluten-free recipe, she noted anyone can enter the pie competition and added that there will be prizes and ribbons.

Find out more about the BBQ OFF the Byass event, and the Bake-Off at www.wellseasoned.ca or by stopping by the store.