Natasha Schooten from the Grist Mill in Keremeos was the Similkameen BBQ Queen this year, winning the Judges Choice Award for the Best Wine and Food Pairing. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Mothern Nature could not dampen the fun and festivities for this past Saturday’s 6th annual Similkameen BBQ King event, hosted by the Similkameen Wineries Association at the historic Grist Mill & Gardens in Keremeos.
Caroline Cottrill, president of the Similkameen Wineries Association explained the event.
“This truly unique Similkameen wine and food experience featured nine chefs that competed for the coveted title of Similkameen BBQ King or Queen and three local chefs that competed for the title of Best Small Bites Chef.
“The chefs from each competition received an identical black box containing the same local, organic ingredients. They used the ingredients to create their own incredible culinary creations. Each chef was paired with one of our member wineries or cideries. We had a panel of 14 wine and food experts at the event to judge the competitions, lead by the Similkameen’s own wine judge, educator and writer, Rhys Pender.
“These judges chose the winners for four categories of awards, plus all of the guests in attendance had the opportunity to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.”
Chef Natasha Schooten from The Grist Mill in Keremeos was crowned the 2015 Similkameen BBQ Queen after winning the Judges’ Choice Award for the Best Wine and Food Pairing of the night.
It was the first time in the six-year history of the event that the title went to a female chef, making Schooten the first ever Similkameen BBQ Queen.
Schooten’s winning dish was slow-smoked short ribs with smoky-sweet apricot BBQ sauce on zucchini nann bread with a zucchini, yellow tomato blueberry basil pico and crispy shallot.
Schooten was assisted by the passionate team at the Grist Mill. The winning dish was perfectly paired with the 2014 Oracle Rose from Corcelettes Estate Winery.
Chef Chris Boehm of Penticton’s Burger 55 won the People’s Choice Award for Best Wine and Food Pairing of the night.
He created a braised short rib and Qualicum blue stuffed AAA beef burger with blueberry basil apricot jam, shallot root beer BBQ sauce, lettuce, heirloom tomato, and crispy onion straws on a buttery Woudas bun.
It was topped with a truffle parmesan zucchini wedge. He was assisted by Thomas Bridson.
The wine was paired beautifully with the 2012 Scout Vineyard Syrah from Orofino Winery.
The other awards included:
Chef Jeff Van Geest from Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek took home the Judges’ Choice Award for Best Plating Presentation. His dish was paired with Forbidden Fruit Winery’s 2013 Plum Noir.
Chef Karl Schorb from the Branding Iron Bar & Grill took home the Judges’ Choice Award for Best Small Bites. Chef Karl’s dish was paired with Eau Vivre Winery’s 2014 Cinq Blanc.
And finally Schooten from The Grist Mill took home the Judges’ Choice Award for Most Creative Dish. Her dish was paired with the 2014 Oracle Rose from Corcelettes Estate Winery.
Cottrill said the event was a huge success.
“We have so many to thank for such an incredible event,” she said. “We couldn’t have done this event without all of the judges, our sponsors, the chefs and wineries, the farmers and all of the volunteers and the staff at the Grist Mill. Thanks to all of our amazing guests that attended the event. Despite the rain, everyone had a wonderful time. Somehow it seems, knowing how much we needed this rain, it became a celebration that brought everyone together, huddled up under tents and squished into the Tea Room at the Grist Mill for the awards presentation. It was definitely a night to remember.”
The Similkameen Wineries Association is a collective of 11 wineries and a cidery located in Cawston and Keremeos in the Similkameen Valley including Cerelia, Clos du Soleil, Corcelettes, EauVivre, Forbidden Fruit, Hugging Tree, Orofino, Robin Ridge, Rustic Roots, Sage Bush, Seven Stones and Twisted Hills Craft Cider.
For more information on the Similkameen Wineries Association or any of its fine award-winning wineries and cidery, visit www.SimilkameenWine.com or call 250.488.0878.
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Osoyoos Times
