{"id":206258,"date":"2025-09-07T00:04:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T00:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/206258\/"},"modified":"2025-09-07T00:04:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T00:04:41","slug":"pig-island-2025-inside-new-yorks-premier-barbecue-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/206258\/","title":{"rendered":"Pig Island 2025: Inside New York’s premier barbecue competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 If ever there were a moment when a food critic and professional barbecue judge truly earned her salt, it was Saturday at the Pig Island NYC BBQ festival and competition.<\/p>\n

\"PigMeeting of the BBQ minds: Tank Jackson chats with hot sauce creator Lisa Thai of Achilles Heat. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Pig Island returned for its 16th year on Staten Island. It is a sprawling salute to the pig and all things pork, along with cold beverages to pair with it all. With one dish better than the next this year, it was a tough event to pick the Number One, agreed the judges, including yours truly.<\/p>\n

\"PigPig Island awards celebrated pitmasters who turned pork into art. Here are some of the judges. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Although there was one clear Best In Show. Based on the points, Kam Rai Thai. This pit master presented pork belly two ways \u2014 as a hunk of bacon and paper-thin slices \u2014 on a plate with a myriad of delightful, herbaceous sauces and a downright fantastical grilled bao bun brushed lightly with butter. <\/p>\n

\"PigPig Island awards celebrated pitmasters turned pork into art.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Arguably the best beverage of the day was Momentum Brewery\u2019s non-alcoholic beer lineup. The company hails from Long Island <\/a>and is New York State\u2019s only non-alcoholic brewhouse. One of its two founders, Alexander Himburg brought hundreds of cans to personally sample on the crowd of craft beer lovers who enthusiastically returned to the station for more over the afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"PigPork Mafia presented the whole hog with its award-winning rubs and sauces. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Guests who have attended prior Pig Island events knew the ropes. One visitor from Brooklyn said, \u201cLast year we didn\u2019t realize how hard it was to carry all those mini trays\u2014total rookie move! This year, we came prepared and brought our own trays. Learned our lesson!”<\/p>\n

\"PigAlex from Momentum brewery served a stellar non-alcoholic beer lineup. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Jodie Shalonis from Edison, N.J. said, \u201cWhat a beautiful celebration\u2014people from all walks of life coming together over a shared love of pork! It\u2019s such a wonderful opportunity to taste different flavors and experience the creativity behind each dish. I\u2019m honestly at a loss for words\u2014it\u2019s just amazing. I\u2019m just thankful for all the love.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Flagship Brewing Co., Upstate Distillery, Fort Hamilton Distillery and Morgan\u2019s Rum were among the represented booze companies. <\/p>\n

\"PigMike Munoz of Brooklyn wears a bacon hat and food shirt in the spirit of the Pig Island BBQ fest. He sits in the VIP area. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The Pig Island BBQ festival and competition brought together an impressive lineup of pitmasters and food industry professionals this Saturday, showcasing both traditional and innovative approaches to barbecue.<\/p>\n

\"PigDid Kam Rai Thai knock the pork out of the park? He absolutely did.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The competition featured a distinguished panel of judges, including Stephanie Perez, known for her visual food storytelling through @yeahfoodbeer and her expertise in pairing regional cuisine with craft beer throughout New York.<\/p>\n

\"JudgesTrophies for the chefs include a golden fork and pineapple. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Gennaro Pecchia, who co-founded Chefs Who Care and formerly co-hosted SiriusXM\u2019s Roland\u2019s Food Court, brought his extensive industry knowledge to the judging table.<\/p>\n

\"PigSampling the goods at the Pig Island fest \u2014 a pig-palooza.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Adding to the expert panel was Adam Poch, a seasoned New York food judge with a decade of experience in grilling and smoking techniques. Ethan Fedida, founder of Elfassy Foods and recently crowned 2024 Sauce King NYC Grand Champion, rounded out the judging panel with his expertise in artisanal sauce creation.<\/p>\n

\"PigArchie Moore’s\/The Meat Truck served pork over a flavorful rice. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The competition drew twelve notable participants, including local favorites and established names in the barbecue scene. Competitors ranged from Rodrigo Duarte of Don Rodrigo to the three Farella brothers of Brothers BBQ. The event also featured diverse culinary perspectives, with participants like Oak Marprasert from Kam Rai Thai and Samsaen, and Amita Phookaw from Khaosan bringing their unique approaches to barbecue.<\/p>\n

\"JudgesA pineapple prize at Pig Island went to a top chef. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The competition also saw participation from Jase\u2019s BBQ, Tank Jackson of Holy City Hogs, Sean Keever representing Big Guns BBQ, and Jose Perez from Archie Moore\u2019s and The Meat Truck. Brooklyn\u2019s barbecue scene was well-represented by Cenobio Canalizo from Morgan\u2019s Brooklyn BBQ and the FDNY Red Hook Raiders of Brooklyn BBQ Team, led by John Fuchs and Vinny Ferrante.<\/p>\n

And the winners are:<\/b><\/p>\n

Best In Show<\/b> \u2014 Kam Rai Thai<\/p>\n

Best Whole Hog<\/b> \u2014 Holy City Hog<\/p>\n

\u201cLa Mas Sexy\u201d<\/b> \u2014 Mike\u2019s Hot Honey with Chef Kevin Morgan and his stellar \u201cLechon Loco,\u201d a fried plantain cup filled with queso Frito, aji verde, smoked pork belly, pickled onions, mojo and Mike\u2019s Hot Honey<\/p>\n

I\u2019m Lovin\u2019 It Award<\/b> \u2014 Big Guns for the McRib Sausage <\/p>\n

Best Food On a Stick<\/b> \u2014 Khaosan <\/p>\n

When Pigs Fly<\/b> \u2014 Morgan\u2019s Smoked Chicken Wing with Candied Bacon Sauce<\/p>\n

Special Award for \u201cGetting on the Highway\u201d<\/b> \u2014 Don Rodrigo <\/p>\n

Friends of Firefighters People\u2019s Choice<\/b> \u2014 To be announced after all the beans are counted, interrupted by a thunderstorm<\/p>\n

\"PigPitmaster Shannon smothers the grill with butter for Rogue Sausages. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigConey Island Saucery kills it once again at the barbecue festival with samples of several hot sauces. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigHere’s a good trick for a barbecue festival: use a tray or box for samples and, here, a guest covered each dish to bring back to a friend who couldn’t navigate through the crowd.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigIce cream was most welcome in the heat of the day. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigA tray could be a makeshift one from a case of beer. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigOr it could be a thoughtfully selected one to enjoy with friends. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"JudgesKnives were a part of the prize package for top chefs. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigAdam Poch, a judge, in the backdrop with Tank Jackson accepting the top prize for whole hog. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigPig Island awards celebrated pitmasters who turned pork into art.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigIn the rain winners were announced. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigThe rain held out until the end of the festival. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigPig Island awards celebrated pitmasters who turned pork into art.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigThe heat was on at Pig Island! NYC\u2019s fiercest BBQ showdown returned with chefs going whole hog for the crown.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigWinners said a few words of thanks.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigMike’s Hot Honey was a star of the show.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigHere’s the top pineapple prize for Tank Jackson of Holy City Hogs. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigThe family friendly event ended with a little dancing in the rain. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigPig Island chefs posed for photographers and the Staten Island Advance. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigRain came at the final hour of the event. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"PigGood bye for this year to a great barbecue festival on Staten Island. Oink oink!(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

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