Lake County duo’s brisket wins at Jack Daniel’s contest

For the second time in as many months, a team from Lake County has won a top prize in a renowned cooking competition.

In-laws Patrick McCreight of Round Lake and Dan Peters of Grayslake won first place in the brisket category in the Jack Daniel’s Invitational Barbecue, an international event held Saturday in Lynchburg, Tenn.

The recognition comes just weeks after Mundelein’s Franks for the Memories restaurant was honored at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in New York.

Calling themselves Brew-B-Q, McCreight and Peters were among 89 teams competing in the Jack Daniel’s event. The cook-off - known by fans and competitors as “The Jack” - draws about 25,000 people each year to Lynchburg, home of the famed distillery.

“The experience of competing in The Jack is something I’ll never forget, and to be able to walk away with a first-place award is incredibly special,” McCreight said in an email.

Although they cooked dishes in several categories, brisket has become the duo’s top dish. McCreight and Peters have won three first-place awards in recent competitions with their recipe.

McCreight suspected they had a winning entry Saturday.

“It had an amazing half-inch smoke ring, intense beefy flavor and was probably the most tender and juicy brisket we’ve cooked,” he said.

Brew-B-Q placed 23rd in the chicken category, 24th in pork, 81st in ribs and 26th overall.

“Being called a world champion is somewhat strange, but we’ll enjoy the off-season this winter and try to get used to it,” McCreight said.

In early September, Franks for the Memories restaurant claimed two prizes at the National Buffalo Wing Festival.

Owner Jim Schultz Jr. and his team won the Chairman’s Award for Festival Spirit and placed third in the traditional medium sauce competition.