Scoring a smoky win

Mike Lake drove 130 miles from downstate Shannon to compete in Lambs Farm's second annual Barn Burner BBQ, a spicy food festival held Saturday in Green Oaks.

One of 36 teams competing in the smoked meat cook-off sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, Lake participates in about 40 competitions each year.

"For me, this is like a family reunion, and we couldn't have had a nicer day," said Lake, a hog buyer who has been competing since 1992. "It's a nice contest."

Cooks earn points at competitions across the country -- much like NASCAR drivers. The teams prepare ribs, chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket that are tasted by sanctioned judges.

"Judges rate appearance, taste and tenderness," said Lake, who also represented the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

The Smokin' Clones team from Des Moines, Iowa, earned the Grand Champion title and The Heat is On team from Welch, Minn., won the Reserve Champion title.

There was more than barbecue, however, at the festival. Families enjoyed carnival games and live music. They also enjoyed barbecue and fixings served up by the Cubby Bear and Uncle Bubb's Restaurant, one of the vendors competing in the event.

"We're here to have fun. There's a lot of camaraderie at an event like this," said Mark Link, the owner of Uncle Bubb's, a caterer based in Westmont. "We use our smoker for the pork and ribs, and the green egg for chicken."

Annie and Chip Uchtman and their daughter Molly, 8, sampled a few of the entries at their first barbecue cook-off.

"There was such a variety -- some were spicy, some were mild," said Annie Uchtman, who drove from Skokie for the event.

The Comcast Chili Challenge was canceled because of high winds, said Kate Cothell, event and volunteer coordinator at Lambs Farm.

"It was disappointing, but there's always next year," she said.