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Community Corner

Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ Competition Fires Up for the Third Year

Piles of pulled pork to be judged in downtown Glen Ellyn during the third-annual Backyard BBQ competition this Saturday.

As the crisp fall air descends on Glen Ellyn, an unusual and special aroma will soon fill the air—barbecue.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, 40 pit masters will square-off in the third-annual Glen Ellyn BBQ Cook Off at the Glenwood Avenue parking lot near Crescent Boulevard.

Glen Ellyn resident, Tom “Pig Daddy” Koprowski, started the neighborhood event in 2009. At the time, the event was comprised of 18 like-minded grill masters on Willis Street. Pig Daddy, as Koprowski likes to be called, said the first cook off was such a success that it attracted 29 chefs the following year, in addition to vendors.

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Now, this year's third cook off will feature 40 teams from all over Illinois demonstrating their flair for pork barbecue.  

“We wanted to test the waters for community interest and now we’ve outgrown our space and we’re moving it downtown,” Koprowski said.

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All the net proceeds from the cook off will benefit Bridge Communities, which serves the needs of homeless families in DuPage County.

The event is free to the public and runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. But there will be more to look forward to than just the barbecue. Individuals who come to the cook off can participate in a bags tournament and can enjoy the sounds of several bands, including The Bill Ande Band, Amy Kelly, and The Bluz Brothers—a tribute band.

But before taking home the title for best barbecue, the pit masters will have to impress this year's judges to claim the number one spot. This year’s judges include Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Pfefferman; Davd Kramer from the ; and Jill Foucre, the owner of Marcel’s, a new culinary business in downtown Glen Ellyn. And all the rib teams will be judged by representatives from the Kansas City Barbeque Society

But before readers begin to salivate at the thought of indulging at Saturday's event, only the judges will be allowed to sample the succulent treats prepared by the contestants due to county health requirements.

But, barbecue lovers will still be able to enjoy mouth-watering creations prepared by Matthew Whiteford, a former Glen Ellyn resident who owns Love Your BBQ, gourmet barbecue products available at Chicago land retail locations like . Whiteford will be selling pulled pork sliders and hot dogs, and beer and soft drinks will also be available for purchase.

“When you’ve got 40 smokers fired up it’s awesome. It’s going to be great to see and smell all the good barbecue,” Koprowski said.  “People are going to be coming from all over and that will be great for our community.”

Editor's Note: If you're longing for barbecue all year-round, be sure to check out Tom Koprowski's blog, , right here on Patch. 

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