Best Of The Best Rib Cookers Compete In Lima

LIMA — Nearly every man who cooks ribs will say his are the best. But the best of the best, as in the Major League of good ribs, only comes from the professionals. Those professionals and their ribs, chicken, brisket and pork were on display and judged during the Pigmania State Championship BBQ Competition and Festival held Saturday at the Allen County Fairgrounds. Thirty professional teams from the Midwest and one from Canada competed for $5,000 in prize money and a chance to go to the World Series of barbecue competition, the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City, Missouri. The grand champion winner was Slippery Pete’s BBQ from Wadsworth. All the judges were from various states in the Midwest and are certified with most holding the title of master certified barbecue judge.