July 31, 2007

Canadian BBQ Champs in Whistler make the August long weekend one to savour

Over $3000 in cash and prizes for grillers who spice it just right for Local’s BBQ Day 

This Saturday the Local’s BBQ Day will let amateurs strut their spicy stuff in three categories: Budweiser “King of the Grill” Anything Goes Contest, the 6th annual Bull’s Eye Backyard Burger Championships and the Grand Marnier Summer Cocktail Contest. 

“This will be the seventh year Dusty’s Bar & Grill has hosted the Canadian BBQ Championships and the Local’s BBQ Day lets weekend warriors get into the action as well,” says Joshua Kearns, Dusty’s Manager and competition coordinator. “In the Bull’s Eye Backyard Burger Championship we provide the grill and the meat, all you need to come up with is that secret ingredient for what could be Dusty’s next signature burger.”

Over $3000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs on Local’s BBQ Day. The three categories include: The “King of the Grill” contest is the anything goes competition.  The two restrictions are that your “main” be grilled or smoked on an outdoor grill or BBQ, and it must be cooked on site.  Vegetables, fish, lamb and steak all compete for the $500 first place prize plus a brand new Weber Barbeque donated by Kerrisdale Lumber in Vancouver.

The Bull’s Eye Backyard Burger Championship is open to everyone and is a great place for new BBQ competitors. Grills, utensils, the hamburger and a selection of condiments and buns are supplied. All that is needed are those secret ingredients that make the burger worthy of a place on Dusty’s menu. The only other requirement – Bull’s Eye BBQ Sauce must be used as an ingredient or condiment.  The prize: $500, a Weber Barbeque and your name and burger featured Dusty’s Bar & BBQ menu next year. 

The Grand Marnier Summer Cocktail Contest is a chance for Whistler’s best to build the tastiest Grand Marnier cocktail. Top prize is $250 cash and runners up walk home with bottles of Grand Marnier.

While the amateur events take place on Saturday, contenders for the Canadian BBQ Championships will be camped out in Creekside day and night, all weekend long, coaxing the finest flavour into their meaty wares through smoke and spice. Last year over 3000 spectators strolled through Creekside to savour the competitor’s wares as they smoked up a storm for title of “Canadian Champion 2007.”

Besides the title these BBQ aficionados from all over North America are competing for $3000 cash; a trip for two to Jamaica worth $5000; and a coveted invitation to the Jack Daniel’s Invitational World Championships in Lynchburg, TN. Competition categories are: beef brisket, pork shoulder, chicken and pork ribs.

Many home grown teams have sprung up since the competition arrived in Whistler – the most successful of which is The Eh Team, led by Chef Bob Haselbach of Whistler Blackcomb’s Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain.

Last year Bob and the Eh Team lost the title to Walt of Pork Butt BBQ by a mere point. “Yeah, Walt made sure I knew how much fun he had in Jamaica,” says Bob. “I plan on taking it this year. I just came back from a six week tour around Ontario and New York competing in various BBQ competitions and I have learned tons.”

In the 17 years that the Canadian BBQ Championships have been running, Canadian teams have only won it twice – once by the Fire Chef, David Valjacic, in its first year, and once by Rockin’ Ronnie’s Butt Shredders, in 2004.

Registration is required for the events. Rules, regulations and registration information, can be found at whistlerblackcomb.com.

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb elevates summer adventure to new heights. On-Mountain activities include high alpine hiking and sightseeing via the Peak Chair on Whistler, epic riding in North America’s number one ranked lift-accessed mountain bike park, and summer skiing and riding on Blackcomb’s Horstman Glacier. In the valley, sparkling mountain lakes and beaches, four championship golf courses, and Whistler’s vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafés, shops, galleries and spas are all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has unveiled plans for a new high speed quad accessing Whistler Mountain’s spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 winter season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, this four season resort is truly spectacular by nature. Check it out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) is a world leader in destination resorts and adventure travel.  The company has interests in 10 resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Intrawest owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, and an interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel.  The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest – a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America.  Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe.  Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.  For more information, visit www.intrawest.com.

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